Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? | GameShows.com

Think you're smarter than a fifth-grader? Prove it. Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? pits adult contestants against elementary-school curriculum — geography, grammar, U.S. history, basic math, and world cultures — with a panel of actual 10- and 11-year-olds standing by to help (or outsmart) them.

Created by Mark Burnett, the original FOX version premiered on February 27, 2007 with host Jeff Foxworthy and drew 26.5 million viewers for its first episode — one of the highest-rated game-show debuts of the 2000s. The FOX primetime run aired 2007–2009, followed by a syndicated daytime continuation 2009–2011, with notable winners including Georgia State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox (2008, $1 million for school for the deaf/blind) and Nobel Laureate physicist George Smoot (2008). A Nickelodeon revival hosted by John Cena aired for one season in 2019. Amazon Prime Video launched the spinoff Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? with host Travis Kelce on October 16, 2024.

What makes it unique: The format doesn't test adults on grown-up material — it tests them on topics they haven't thought about since elementary school. The gap between "things adults assume they remember" and "things actual fifth-graders know cold" creates most of the show's comedy. Contestants get three cheats (Peek, Copy, Save) and a chance to save face by admitting "I am not smarter than a fifth-grader." The format has been adapted in more than 50 countries.

Quick Facts

• Hosts: Jeff Foxworthy (FOX primetime 2007–2009, syndication 2009–2011); John Cena (Nickelodeon 2019); Travis Kelce (Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, Prime Video 2024)
• Network: FOX (original); Nickelodeon (2019 revival); Amazon Prime Video (2024 spinoff)
• Premiere Year: 2007
• Seasons: FOX: primetime 2 seasons + syndicated 2 seasons; Nickelodeon revival: 1 season (2019); Prime Video spinoff: 1 season (2024)
• Filming Location: Not currently taping

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