Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity premiere episode

Amazon Studios is re-introducing an old-time game show familiar to past generations, and revamping it once again as a spin-off.   “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader” originally hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy and then brought back in 2019 with John Cena.  “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity” is playing off the popularity of integrating celebrities into game shows.  Their main agenda (besides adding comedy) is to  help out regular everyday people who are contestants.

Introducing a new take on a classic game show took some major effort on finding the perfect host.  Jeff Foxworthy worked out so well because he played to that blue-collar, stereotypical self-identifying red-neck persona.  Here’s a game where the celebrities can’t be too smart.  Let’s get a “dumb jock” who recently catapulted into famedom thanks to his Pop Star girlfriend.

Is the Host Smarter than the Contestants?

Pictured: Travis Kelce / Amazon Studios

However, when asked by celebrity player Natasha Leggero what his major was in college, Travis Kelce jokingly stated that he has a degree in Criminal Justice. Kelce responded, “If I’m going to school, I might as well learn how NOT to go to jail!”  Natasha reacted, “right,” she wasn’t buying it!

According to wikipedia Travis Kelce actually earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree.  That means he studied a combination of various subjects that may have included Mathematics, Literature, Computer Science, and more.  He was able to finish his remaining credits in 2022 and received his college diploma in April 2024.  

It may be more likely that Kelce is not the stereotypical “dumb jock,” afterall and it could be possible that he might even make a better contestant not only on this game show, but on “Jeopardy” as well. 

How the Game is Played:

Contestants can win $100,000 if they make it all the way through all subjects and ten questions.  They must answer that last sixth grade question and get it right.  If the contestant doesn’t get the $100,000 question correct, then their money drops down to $15,000.

Contestants are quizzed on the stuff they learned in grade school.  They have three “Helps” available to them which are:  Peek, Save, Pop Quiz.  The money ladder starts at $1,000 and goes up to $50,000.  The increments are as follows: $1000, 2,500, 5,000, 10,000, 15,000; 20,000; 25,000; 30,000; 35,000;and 50,000.

If they get one wrong, they are eliminated from the game.  If they pass grades one through five, they get a chance to answer a 6th Grade question worth $100,000.

The Celebrities:

Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity – Celebs/ Amazon Studios

There are five celebrities in total.  The first episode features celebrities:  Nikki Glaser, Lilly Singh, Ron Funches, Chad Ochocino (former football player), Natasha Leggero (who was also on the celebrity “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” this year).   The celebrity desks that they sit at are very cushy!  Literally!  They sit in spacious theater-like chairs with a swivel out desk top. 

Contestants have to choose from 10 subjects that range from first to fifth grade.  They can choose in any order that they like and choose whatever celebrity that they think can best help them with a particular subject.  Behind one of the subjects is an “extra credit prize” that the producers of the show handpicks for each contestant. 

The first contestant, Jay,  said he’s prepared for the show.  Having just adopted a fifth grader, he’s been busy preparing him for school.  His “extra credit prize” was a pair of hoverboards.  Contestants must get the next question right in that round to add the extra credit prize to take home with them.

Kelce explained to Jay the “Helps” that are available in the game.  The “Peek” means he can look at a classmate’s answer.  The “Save” will be activated if a contestant gets an answer wrong.  But, it only “Saves” them if their chosen celebrity got that answer correct.  “Pop Quiz” means that the contestant can substitute a question they’re having trouble with, with a Pop Culture question.  Jay did use this option at one point during his game, and it was a super easy answer that he knew.

The First Game:

The cool thing about this game is that contestants are made aware of what celebrities have special skills or education in which subjects.  When Jay needed to progress to the second round, he needed help with Grammar.  It just so happened that celebrity Nikki Glaser studied Literature in college.  However…

After finding out that Nikki sailed through college without reading a book, Jay decided to trust himself with his engineering background and chose Math instead!

“Help” From Celebrities!

Each celebrity helps with two questions which are what each round consists of until they money ladder goes higher, then they switch out per question.

When celebrity Ron Funches got to the podium to help Jay, he was completely honest and told him that he’s not great with hardly any of the subjects and advised him to best go with his gut! If he needs help, don’t be afraid to use a “Cheat”, which Jay in fact did with the very next question.  It was Ron’s answer that he “Peeked” at and luckily, it was correct.  At the end of each round, contestants can choose to head out with the money they’ve won. 

Jay’s hand-picked prize in the Extra Credit was a pair of Segway hoverboards for his son.  When asked about what language RSVP is in, (it’s French) Jay chose the Pop Quiz.  His celebrity, who was Lilly Sign, had it correct.

On the Pop Quiz question, contestants can get all the celebrities help.  The celebs all consult with each other and give their best guess.  If the contestant doesn’t agree, they can go out on their own.  The Pop Quiz question was regarding the role that a popular celebrity has played.  The answer was Paul Rudd.  Thus, locking-in Jay’s win of the hoverboards as well.

When Subjects Don’t Work Out!

When Jay chose the “4th Grade Art” subject and picked the celebrity who had a minor in art, the question ended up fundamentally being a history one.  The question asked about what was depicted in a famous painting of George Washington. What river was he crossing in 1776?

Jay called it out and said he was good at “History” and knew the answer.  He stated that he used his Art History knowledge and answered with the Delaware River.  The celebrity he chose, got it wrong. 

Pushing the Contestant Forward!

Pictured: Host Travis Kelce / Amazon Studios

While watching the game unfold, I could only imagine a producer speaking into Kelce’s ear via an earpiece telling him to push the contestant to keep going in the game!  When Jay got to the very end, his last question was the 6th grade question worth $100,000.

Before deciding to keep going on and risking the money he’s already won, the contestant gets to first see the subject of the $100,000 question.  Jay’s was “6th Grade Literature.”  Nikki Glaser told him “I got you!”  Still, Jay’s confidence in these celebrities wasn’t very high.  Kelce pressured Jay to take the risk.  The drop from $50,000 to $15,000 is a lot.  Kelce argued, “But it’s a big jump from 50 to 100 (thousand).” 

Kelce continued to pressure Jay to continue on, shoving Nikki’s help to him. Jay said one thing that he doesn’t do is “gamble” and decided to go home with his $50,000 and hoverboards.

“But just for fun” Jay got to see what his 6th grade literature question was.   The celebrity he most likely would have chosen, Nikki Glaser, actually knew the answer.  That’s okay, because he did the right thing!  Literally, not trusting any of these celebs because throughout his game, Jay proved to be smarter than a celebrity for the most part.

“Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity” premiered on Amazon on October 15th, 2024.