★★★★★ 0/5

First Review: Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?

17
Leave a comment

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.

17 Responses

  1. CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION ON WHY ROVE IS ALWAYS WEARING THE SAME OLD STINKY T-SHIRT
    ON EVERY SHOW I’M SURE HE DID’T DO THE SHOW IN ONE HIT…..C’MON HE MUST STINK IN THAT CHEAP T-SHIRT.

  3. If these are the questions that are appropriate to the grade levels does this mean that these are the lessons our children are being taught in school? My children are in grade 3 and grade 5 and they do not have science, history or art lessons!!!
    Although it is a good learning tool for them via the tv show pity the Victorian schools cannot implement this learning into the school curriculum!

  4. well ur going on about what u should call people in year 5…

    if u didnt call it fifth grader, what would u call it?

    would you prefer the show to be called
    ” are you smarter than a grade fiver?”
    or
    “are you smarter than a year 5ver?”
    no i wouldnt!!!!
    jeez think before you speak!!
    put some thought into your words for a change!!!!
    *shakes head over how dumb you are*

  5. I’m sorry but I have to disagree…Who wants to be a millionaire was entertaining because it was a challenge, you can’t draw out questions when viewers already know the answers. My first impression was that there would be competition between really bright grade fives and adults, but it just seems to be a dumbed down way to win $500,000.

  6. Anonymous (29th Sept, see below), I’m a teacher in training and am appalled to see that you spelt “calls” with an ‘e’. Doesn’t look like you are smarter than a fifth grader…regardless of it being grade or year five. I also think that depends on which school you visit/work at…are you sure you’re a teacher?

    Anonymous said…
    I’m a primary school teacher, and trust me, nobody calles if Grade Five. Or Fifth Grade.

    It’s year 5. Always with the number too, never the word. That’s what a true Australian says.

    29 September 2007 12:56

  7. It was alright for the first contestant. Like somebody else here mentioned, I don’t want to see the same thing over and over – especially the same children.

  8. I’m a primary school teacher, and trust me, nobody calles if Grade Five. Or Fifth Grade.

    It’s year 5. Always with the number too, never the word. That’s what a true Australian says.

  12. I watched about half the show. At first it was a bit crap- Rove was doing his best Millionare impression- but after a few questions everybody warmed up and it because more interesting and funny. When the woman was knocked out and the new guy started I couldn’t be bothered watching essentially the same thing over though. Would’ve liked it to end there…

  13. I loved the show..I think Rove is better at this than his Tonight Show..he’s so good with the kids..Actually this is alot like how Rove behaves before he tapes his “Rove” show and also how he interacts with the audience during commercial breaks..if only “Rove” showed those moments!!

  14. I reckon that to perhaps liven up these concepts they could just insert more questions for less money. Therefore it takes the same amount of time to get to the high dollar amounts, but much more questions are gone through. It doesn’t seem that hard does it?

  15. I only watched a few minutes of this while waiting for The Chaser/SHH to start, and it basically seemed like a dumbed down Millionaire rip-off. I can see its appeal though, and I think it has the potential to become a hit with the kids/family.

Leave a Reply