Review: FLOOR IS LAVA is a Weak Execution on a Promising Show
One of the most viewed shows on Netflix right now is Floor is Lava. This show in concept is great. An obstacle course is laid out with warm (or hot, I’m not sure) red-colored water coloring the floor. A team of three contestants then has to make it across the obstacle without falling in the lava. Each team member that makes it across safely is worth 1 point. It’s pretty simple and honestly, I thought of the amazing episode of Community, “Geothermal Escapism.” Here’s the trailer for you to check out.
Well, I’ve watched the first couple of episodes and sadly, I’m disappointed. Contestants are only on for one episode and we don’t get to know them at all really. Each team gets about 2 minutes to introduce themselves to us, and these introductions are typically the most surface-level things ever. We hear things like, “We’re teachers at the same school and we don’t want to be embarrassed by losing.” Or, “We hang out all the time and even go to each others’ houses and have met each others’ families. Because we’re friends.” While there’s nothing inherently wrong with all this, there’s never any reason to root for any of the teams.
Having no reason to root for a team isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker though. The prize for winning is $10,000. This isn’t too bad considering they hand it out every episode in addition to a single lava lamp for the three to share I guess. Another part of the prize that is flaunted is the opportunity to meet the host of the show, Rutledge Wood. In case you’re like me and have no idea who that is, Wood seems to be a car enthusiast who is probably best known for being one of the hosts on Top Gear USA. I think this was a huge mismatch. On the one hand, it’s good to see him branching out. On the other, to be on a non-car related program and assume people know who you are is a little weird. Plus, a lot of his commentary is very stale. He often comes across as thinking he’s funnier than he actually is.
Another thing that bothered me was that in the second episode, the third team loses any chance of winning, but instead of showing us if the third person makes it, they simply cut it as soon as the team can no longer win. Show me the end result. Maybe that was my favored team. This was a poor editing decision.
All of that negativity aside, it can be fun to watch people try to complete the obstacle course. Sit back, talk about how you wish so-and-so falls in and how you would do it differently. Just like all the other competition shows you watch. Talking to your friends and family about who you would take with you is also a fun part of watching the show.
Is Floor is Lava a fun show to watch? Sometimes. If you and your family like shows like American Ninja Warrior or Wipeout and don’t need or want to get attached to contestants, this may be a great show for you to watch. My number one wish though would be to have a different host or at least a different writer.
