First Review: Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?
This is Sam, a fifth grader, or if you're truly Australian, a Grade Fiver. It's a small point but one the Roving Enterprise producers didn't opt for in picking up the local rights for Mark Burnett's US game show.
It's about the only thing they could have changed in making this Aussie version of the show. Everything else is terrific.
As a game show host, Rove McManus is so good he may almost have to give up his Tonight show role. He slips into this with consummate ease. Lively, relaxed, funny, confident, genial. He's the Rove we all know and love.
In fairness the format of 5th Grader is really just another variation on Who Wants to be a Millionaire, (as are most of the new game shows we are seeing) they've basically just added kids. But it's an inspired format variation. It immediately underlines the enormous canyon between deadly simple question and stupid contestant who can't see the wood for the trees. And it allows the personalities of the kids to add another dimension to the show.
These five, Sam, Callum, Max, Moya and Darcy are all perky and so relaxed they integrate easily under tutor McManus. I have no doubt some of their comments and reactions will provide terrific, unscripted moments.
The first contestant, Elka, bounded onto the show with a worrying American ra-ra vibe. She even threw in a cartwheel. Maybe she thought she was on the US version? Nevertheless, she managed to insert enough drama as she worked her way up to the $100,000, and if not, Rove was on hand to build the momentum.
The set, lighting and mood music are all top notch, allowing Rove the ability to wander around the set, or off script, in his trademark anti-television manner. The only real criticism, and it's again an idea borrowed from Millionaire, is in drawing out the questions. Two questions in about eight minutes is six minutes too long, with or without kids.
Having "dropout" contestants face the camera and admit "I'm not smarter than a fifth grader" is dreadful fun, and Aussies should flock to this frank, daggy admission like moths to a flame.
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader is the best new game show TEN has launched since The CON Test and Australia's Brainiest Sportsperson / Idol / Loser / Housemate et al.
It's even better than Greed. Now that's saying something.
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