“Family Feud” host Steve Harvey is known for his sharp wit, perfectly timed reactions, and the occasional side-eye when contestants say something outrageous. But during a recent episode, Harvey faced a different kind of challenge: a contestant who simply refused to play.
The contestant, named Darren, appeared completely unbothered about being on the show. His lack of enthusiasm quickly became the highlight of the episode, leaving Harvey both amused and exasperated.
The game began with Harvey reading the question, “Name a section of a bookstore where you’d find a book about your love life.” Contestant Julianne buzzed in first and answered “The romance section,” which earned one of the top answers on the board.
When it was Darren’s turn, he didn’t move, no buzz, no answer, no expression. Harvey paused for a moment before dramatically tossing his cue cards into the air, cracking up as the audience erupted in laughter. The host then walked over to Darren, wrapping him in a playful hug before joking, “Darren, I knew you weren’t gonna hit the buzzer.
Darren doesn’t even want to be here.” Turning to another contestant, Roxie, Harvey continued, “Roxie, you must have told Darren, ‘Listen, you’re going down there, and you’re gonna play,’” to which she nodded in agreement.
“He said, ‘All right. I’ll go down there and play, but I ain’t gonna participate,’” Harvey said, reenacting the exchange as the studio roared with laughter.
Once the laughter had settled, Harvey returned to the other team to continue the round. Brendan answered “Fantasy,” which landed on the board, followed by Jack, who jokingly said “Horror” — and surprisingly scored again. Suzie kept the streak going with “Self-help,” but the team started slipping when Juli answered “Faith section,” earning their first strike.
The pressure mounted as Brendan guessed “Drama,” which didn’t make the board either. Harvey, in his usual animated fashion, encouraged Jack to save the round. “Come on, Jack. We’ve got to save it. The Holt family can steal. I know you got it,” Harvey said.
Jack confidently responded with “Biography,” but it wasn’t on the board, handing the Holt family a chance to steal. Taking the opportunity, Christine stepped up for her team. When Harvey repeated the question, she replied, “We’re gonna go with mystery. Let’s go with mystery.” The answer turned out to be correct, sealing the win for the Holt family.
In a rare moment of enthusiasm, even Darren — the reluctant contestant — joined in celebrating as his team cheered. The hilarious exchange quickly became a standout “Family Feud” moment, proving once again that when Steve Harvey is hosting, even stubborn contestants can deliver prime-time comedy.
