The return of the highly anticipated second season of FOX game show “The Floor” hosted by 1980s icon actor Rob Lowe premiered Wednesday night. It’s a game show for the ages because this one, like “The 1% Club” is played by 100 contestants who are out to win grand prize money of $250,000!

One thing that hasn’t changed since the first season is whichever contestant wins the largest part of the floor per episode, wins $20,000. With each duel one contestant goes home, for a total of eight eliminations.

NEW TWIST ADDED:

This new season “The Floor” has a new edge that benefits players who play the game well!  It’s called a “Time Boost.” If a contestant wins their first 45 second Duel, and wins a second one, then goes on to win a third, they will be given a five second boost, or “bonus.” This literally can make or break winning a duel.

Viewers saw one such scenario during the first Duel where Marley went against a “School Supplies” expert. Marley who is an expert in “Farm Life” defended his category and won. It came down to a crucial few seconds that cost his opponent the Duel. Thus, Marley inherited “School Supplies.”

“Activate the Randomizer!”

Marley chose not to attempt another round and went back to the floor. Though, the Randomizer wasn’t having it. Because he got called back up to a new duel when a new opponent challenged his new “School Supplies” category.

Marley in fact won again then stayed there to challenge in a new duel.. tailgating category. Ryan won the three pieces of the floor with his win against Marley. SPOILER, he ended up being the big winner of the night. That means Ryan won $20,000.

There was a moment in the episode where Ryan’s big win was threatened when the final round of the Randomizer didn’t fall to any of his neighbors. Otherwise, he would have had to share his winnings split in half.

Pictured (l-r): Ryan, Rob Lowe, Marley / FOX

Some of the categories of “experts” this season include: Carnival Food, Taylor Swift, Disney characters, sitcoms, game show hosts.

The Best Battle!

The “best battle” that host Rob Lowe said he’s seen on the show was one on “beauty.” The winner of this duel inherited the Cheese category and went back to the floor.

A new duel was headed by Maggie whose expertise is Las Vegas. She was challenged by Megan who is a Halloween costumes expert. Megan said she’s been practicing! It paid off because Megan won and decided to go back to the floor because she wants to defend her newly inherited category “Vegas” which she knows a lot about!

Josue, who’s an expert in paintings, challenged Vanessa to her category, Safari. Vanessa won and returned to the floor. She was close to being called back up by her neighbor Michael (Constellations expert).

Michael lost to the category of sit-down restaurants. Somewhat of an easier category to prepare for. The bad news, his opponent inherited Constellations.

If this contestant took on Vanessa and won, she’d split the $20,000 with Ryan. She decided to go back to the floor, and the Randomizer didn’t select a neighbor of Ryan’s. That meant he won $20,000!

When Nerves Take Over!

Pictured: Angie, Andrew / FOX

Next, the Randomizer chose 50-year-old Angie who decided to challenge her 19-year-old neighbor Andrew. Angie said he’s a sweet kid who reminds her of her nephew. Lowe made a joke to Angie that since he reminds her of her nephew, she’s going to send him home?

Andrew’s category was Stock Exchange signs, something Angie said she’s good at. Well, she proved it and poor college student Andrew was sent home. She gave him a hug after her win and this was a prime example of how nerves can get the best of contestants.  Angie told everyone that he’s “wicked smart.”  Viewers will have to wait until next week to see if Angie will challenge another expert, or return to the floor.

NEXT WEEK: In next week’s teaser, one contestant will win themselves the new “Time Boost.”  Angie asks Rob Lowe from her floor spot, “what’s something that nobody did in the first episode?”  THE FLOOR airs on Wednesday’s at 9 pm PT after “The Masked Singer” on FOX.