There is no wrong answer – Shaq as a game show host probably. That’s what makes him the perfect host of Lucky 13. ABC has ordered this fun new trivia game show and it’s set to premiere on the network and Hulu this summer. Now Shaquille O’Neal is no newbie to the hosting gig. Besides his podcast, multiple charity events and the All Star Comedy Jam, he’s been on the other side of a competitive show sphere on Shaq’s Big Challenge two decades ago. He can hold his own just fine. But it’s not a classic game show without a co-host to banter with. So instead of Charles Barkley, he’s being joined by Jane the Virgin aka Gina Rodriguez.

With his TNT duties on hold in the offseason and the uncertainty of the NBA media rights negotiations, Shaq’s keeping busy as usual. Lucky 13 premieres on July 18 on ABC. He and his new co-host announced it on social media this week writing, “We’re hosting your new summer gameshow obsession. #Lucky13 premiers July 18 on ABC and stream on Hulu!” and are amping up promotions.

Hollywood A-lister, Kevin Bacon is serving as executive producer along O’Neal and Rodriquez too through their respective production companies. His company, Jersey Legends and its co-founder Michael Parris are billed as producers.

Lucky 13 tests the contestants’ knowledge with true or false trivia questions with a little twist. They have to convincingly prove how confident they are about their answers. If they can accurately predict their success rate across 13 questions, they take home a sweet $1 million prize.

The casting call went out in May and the show started filming in June. Already, we’re getting the first few glimpses of the biggest game show host on TV and some insider vibes of Shaq’s chemistry with his co-host.

Shaq gets a cheer as he replaces Chuck with a better running mate

The official Lucky 13 social media pages shared several clips of the sound stage during the filming across multiple days. 7’1″ titan Shaq and his classic steel-gray NBA analyst uniform look imposing next to 5’3″ Gina. But according to some contestants and live studio audience who couldn’t disclose much, this was a duo they didn’t know they needed.

Their chemistry is winning before the show even premieres. Apparently Shaq loves complimenting her and giving her hugs when he’s not being a big softie with the contestants. An audience member commented, “Gina rocked it as host! Her and Shaq made a dynamic duo…great chemistry! You can tell they truly admire each other, and had so much fun! Shaq looking out for everyone was also a testament to his character!” And the Lucky 13 page even confirmed it with a “yes.” 

This has even kickstarted a minor campaign on social media pushing Shaq for president and Gina as his running mate. Because, “There is no better duo! 💯🐐 you both make the show what it is! No Gina, No Shaq= No game show!” 

That camaraderie was a little off in the first trailer where Shaq stole Gina’s line, “You don’t have to know it all to win it all,” and got hit by a basketball. This new co-hosting pair already has fans manifesting season 2. “Gina you looked amazing everyday I saw you on set. And you were amazing!!! A very kind and sweet person! #Lucky13 #Audience #Extra best wishes on Season 2!!!”

She gets away with it, unlike Chuck in that game in 1999. Barkley could get jealous his best friend is getting stolen and put off retirement for another season. True or false – Shaq just replaced Chuck.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.