There are many ways to measure intelligence and being smarter than a 5th grader is one of them. Although it may not say a lot, the corresponding game show was so beloved that it is now being rebooted. Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader is set to air on Nickelodeon (US) on June 10.
The series kicks off with over a week of new episodes running from June 10 to June 19, after which the show falls into its regular time slot of 7 p.m., Deadline announced this week.
The Are You Smarter reboot follows in the footsteps of other revived game shows including Blockbusters and Play Your Cards Right. However, it brings a superstar host and an exciting new format to the game show.
The original franchise was co-created and produced by Mark Burnett. The first episode debuted on Fox in with host Jeff Foxworthy. It aired from 2007 to 2011, and was revived by Fox again in 2015. The format has been replicated in several countries around the world, some under modified titles.
Nickelodeon’s Are You Smarter reboot will follow the same premise of stacking adult contestants against beguiling test questions pulled from elementary school curriculum.
While this may not sound particularly challenging to you, it has stumped many contestants before. Unfortunately for them, YouTube has immortalized some of their most epic fails:
What’s new to the show?
First off, the show is getting a brand new host in the form of WWE Superstar John Cena. The 16-time World Champion is also a best-selling author and record-setting Make A Wish granter.
Cena showed his musical side with the release of You Can’t See Me (listen to the rap album at the 3-minute mark for some WWE-inspired lyrics). He has also appeared in various blockbusters and Nickelodeon films, commercials, and tv shows like Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
What is the format?
The Are You Smarter reboot will follow a new format that brings a rotating cast of a dozen brainy fifth-graders into the action.
Grown-up contestants will have to earn a spot at the finals by revisiting classrooms from first through fourth grade. They must answer six questions on a variety of subjects before moving on to the next grade level. They must also make it through each grade to the final round.
In the final classroom, adults will race against the clock to answer five fifth-grade questions. With each correct answer, their potential winnings will increase by $100,000.
Other format changes include a “cheat” option plus myriad other ways for adults to get help from their grade-school classmates.
Watch the Trailer
Will it air in the UK?
At the moment, Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader does not appear to be scheduled on Nickelodeon in the UK. We’re hoping it’s just a matter of time before it crosses over.