The show featured contestants answering questions while strapped into a torture chamber, in which they were exposed to either very hot or very cold temperatures alongside other environmental extremes, such as high winds or simulated earthquakes.

Otherwise, the game could end in any of the following ways:[5] As each round began, one minute was put on the clock and questions were asked to the player, each worth $1,000 if answered correctly.

If the player beat the level, the game would go into stop down mode for ten seconds, allowing Schwartz to check the contestant's status, after which the conditions inside would intensify.

[7]: 108 The producers of the ABC game show The Chair, which also premiered in early 2002 and had previously been pitched to Darnell at Fox,[8] sued over alleged similarities between the two programs, including contestants answering trivia questions in a high-stress environment with their vital signs monitored throughout.

[10][7]: 106  Sportscaster Matt Vasgersian was initially chosen to host, but objected to the show's content and quit, walking off set "in disgust" during a rehearsal.

[10] During production, a technical malfunction briefly left a contestant trapped inside the hot chamber, with crew members unable to release them from the set or turn off the heating effects for "some moments," though they were freed without injury.

[11] The Chamber received negative reviews, with Carter reporting that the show caused "a critical outcry over subjecting people to what appeared to be torture for the entertainment of television viewers".

[2][4] It was cancelled after Fox executives concluded that the controversy around the show, coupled with low viewership, left no reason for its continuation.