For Landis Tindell (’14), trivia has always been an exciting hobby — one he’s been able to build a community around. He recently went from hosting local trivia nights in Oklahoma City to competing on national television as one of 100 contestants on the second season of Fox’s game show “The Floor.”
Tindell serves as the manager of corporate communications for the Oklahoma City Thunder. His work with the NBA team keeps him busy with media relations and internal communications, but his interest in trivia and game shows — and a well-timed Instagram ad — sparked his journey to national TV.
“I saw an ad that simply asked, ‘Do you like trivia?’ and invited people to apply for a game show,” Tindell said. Without much expectation, he filled out the application, just as he had done with a few others in the past. However, this time, things were different. After an initial screening, Tindell learned he had been selected for “The Floor,” a trivia competition hosted by Rob Lowe that pits 100 contestants against each other in a battle of knowledge across a massive LED-lit arena.
“It all happened so fast,” Tindell said. After interviews and audition tapes, he found himself on a plane to Dublin, Ireland, where the show is filmed. For a week in July 2024, he and the other contestants spent long days on set, filming two to three episodes daily. “It was exhausting but also exhilarating. You’re standing for hours, staying mentally sharp, and always mindful that the cameras are rolling.”
Contestants are challenged to win trivia battles in various categories to claim territory on a giant, interactive floor. Each contestant comes in as an expert in a trivia area. For Tindell, it was pizza toppings.
“They worked with us and had us fill out some categories we felt comfortable defending in broader terms. We didn't even find out what our categories were going to be until about two days before we left. At that time they gave us all 100 categories because basically they didn't want you to spend so much time focused on and trying to defend your own. They wanted you to have broad enough knowledge to be able to play the game well.”
Despite the pressure, Tindell found comfort in the camaraderie that developed among the contestants. Many of them, like Tindell, were seasoned trivia hosts and shared a deep love for the game. They bonded during breaks and meals, even forming a fantasy football league and group chat to stay connected after the show wrapped.
As for what’s next, Tindell hasn’t ruled out more game show appearances. “I think I'll definitely try out for other game shows,” he said. It’s fun, and I think having clips of me on camera will help out with that.” His top game show pick would be the lesser known “Press Your Luck.” “That’s my favorite one,” he said.
Though Tindell can’t reveal the outcome of his “The Floor” appearance yet, viewers can watch him compete on Fox or stream it on Hulu and Disney+ to see how he fares.
To learn more about offerings from the Harding University Department of Communication, schedule a visit at harding.edu/visit or see our program page at harding.edu/communication.
