It’s been out there for a while but it’s being made official now: according to Broadcasting and Cable, sources are saying that FOX’s Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader? will be going into syndication in 2009.  It won’t be the first daytime version.  Over in England they’ve had one, as well as a primetime version.  Seems to be running pretty well for them.  I’ve never liked the show as a million dollar game show to be honest.  It’s always seemed like a lower budget show, so we’ll see how this one goes.  Host Jeff Foxworthy is probably going to sign onto it.  No word on top prize, but I’d just expect a quarter of a million.  It’s not like Deal or No Deal where the odds are significantly stacked against you to win so they can offer half a million.  Everyone theoretically has a good chance at winning and they can’t realistically afford the risk of giving away a half million too much.  Of course knowing the dumbasses they cast they could do whatever they wanted.

I honestly haven’t watched the show since its first few episodes.  It’s basic idea never interested me.  FOX is mostly specifically casting morons (or former smart people and now morons) which just erases any drama for me.  Add in the controversy with the original cast of fifth graders and the fact that the drama is so forced that it makes Duel look shameful, and it’s never appealed to me.  But I’m guessing some of you have.  Is it worth it to give another chance next season?

Fifth Grader was one of three primetime network shows being discussed for syndication in 2009.  Others included were Power of 10 and 1 VS 100Power of 10 bombed because of terrible scheduling on CBS’s part so I’m not expecting it to show up, but I’ve been wrong before (and often).  I’d love to see it pop up again somewhere.  It was one of the best shows to play along with in ages and the barrel roll for a right answer was incredibly dramatic.  NBC seems to have wanted to forget 1 VS 100 has existed since half way through its first season so I’d bet money against that.  Again, I’d love to see it pop up again.  However, NBC has removed all traces of the show from their press site which is never a good sign.  But with Fifth Grader, we’re going to be awfully crowded very soon, won’t we?