Chip Gaines shares wild story of how Jason Kelce's hairy chest inspired his new hamster-themed game show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Fixer Upper' star Chip Gaines has expressed his gratitude to Jason Kelce for inspiring the concept of his new hamster-themed game show, 'Human vs Hamster'.

In a recent interview with his wife, Joanna Gaines, the 49-year-old discussed their exciting competition series that pits humans against trained hamsters in a variety of athletic challenges.

He recalled being inspired to create the game show after witnessing the viral moment of the NFL star dramatically ripping off his shirt to reveal his burly chest. 

Chip Gaines says he 'wished he was furrier' after seeing Jason Kelce's shirt-ripping moment

During an appearance on 'Today' on Tuesday, October 22, Chip Gaines told hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb, "That’s the mind of Chip Gaines. I feel like I was inspired. It was maybe, six, eight months back and Jason Kelce rips his shirt off at some stadium. Something about that moment inspired this idea."

He was probably referencing the Kansas City Chiefs vs Buffalo Bills playoff game in January when Jason showed support for his brother, Travis Kelce, star Chiefs tight end, by ripping off his shirt and cheering with the fans.

Chip continued to praise Jason, saying, "So I feel like I should throw him a bone in the sense that he was the one who inspired the whole idea." The HGTV star playfully told the hosts, "When I saw him rip his shirt off, I just felt I wish I was furrier. I wish I was hairier. Have you ever had that thought?" 

Guthrie expressed skepticism about the hamsters' skills in the show, to which Joanna chimed in, "Hamsters are so smart, and they’ve been training. You’ll be very surprised when you watch." Chip added that the hamsters are "terribly athletic little creatures."

What is 'Human vs Hamsters'? 

According to a press release from Warner Bros Discovery shared in August, the competition series 'Human vs Hamster' will feature teams of human competitors facing off in various athletic challenges before taking on hamsters in a multistage obstacle course called "The Cage," which they must escape before the hamsters claim victory. 

This eight-episode series is set to begin streaming on November 21 on Max and will be hosted by NFL commentator Kyle Brandt alongside 'Saturday Night Live' cast member Sarah Sherman. Brian Balthazar, known for HGTV's 'House Party', will serve as the resident hamster enthusiast for the show.

The outlet explained, "The world’s most remarkable pet hamsters go toe-to-toe with teams of humans in scaled challenges that will test their speed, strength, agility – and, of course, their eating prowess – all for the sake of answering the burning question: 'Which species is superior, humans or hamsters?'"