If someone asked you that question, you'd say yes. Most people would believe you. But you'd be wrong, because game show legend Ken Jennings is NOT smarter than a 5th grader!

The game relies on the premise that an adult would not know the information generally taught in elementary school because it is rarely used in adult life by the type of person chosen to be a contestant. Therefore, the show is essentially a test to see how much an adult has retained since graduating elementary school. The show also derives its humor by occasionally displaying the contestant's educational attainment, implying that in spite of that, they struggle to answer some questions and even have to cheat.

Despite this, the millionaire-style money tree approach to an elementary school quiz combined with a fair amount of Deal or no Deal syndrome type filler, padding and drama, feel contradictory. Instead of high-stakes drama, it often feels like Millionaire, if kids were playing with adult supervision. You can't make the lighthearted simple nature of the show dramatic

Jeff Foxworthy also rubs salt in the wound as often as possible, unlike other game show hosts, because it's almost the antithesis of millionaire, because of instead of looking smart, it's about not looking dumb.

Five fifth graders (some of whom are also professional child actors) appear on each episode and play along on stage. Prior to the show, the children are provided with workbooks which contain a variety of material, which could be used in the questions asked in the game. The player chooses one to be their "classmate", who stands at the adjacent podium and also answers each question secretly in writing. Each child acts as the classmate for two consecutive questions, after which another child is picked from those who have not yet played in that game. The classmate's main role is to provide assistance to the contestant, called "cheats".

A contestant can walk away (or if they flunk out, they drop to the milestone) at any point with the money they have won, as long as they admit, "I am not smarter than a fifth grader."

Any contestant who won the $1 million top prize was allowed to face the camera and state, "I am smarter than a 5th grader!"

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Channel: Game Bouncer's Channel (the creator)

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You may leave home and come back to the same house you once were in, but it may not feel the same because you may not come back the same person you were before. This may be what happened to Millionaire aka WWTBAM. Today we will discuss how everything came full-circle for this half-hour show.

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American Millionaire was a massive hit in the beginning, spawning a revival in game shows in general and big money, prime time quiz shows in particular (including many other imported shows). Ratings eventually tanked, however, with most people pointing their fastest fingers at ABC for milking the show to the point of overexposure (at one point, it was aired four nights a week). It still lived, however, in a more normal (for a game show) weekday afternoon syndication format, but the show's popularity and viewership has dipped quite a bit since then. The U.S. syndicated version was cancelled on May 31, 2019 after 17 seasons.

So how did this game show change over time with it's syndicated, AOL audience, clock, shuffle and revival of its classic format.

The US version underwent a massive alteration of its format for its ninth syndicated season. The first ten questions were played for amounts ranging from $100 to $25,000, except that the value of each question was randomized, was only revealed once the question is answered correctly, and was added to a bank.

And no more hot seat.

Additionally, question difficulties and categories were randomized. The lifelines were also changed for this, only Ask the Audience remains alongside two instances of a new lifeline called Jump the Question which lets the player skip over a question, at the expense of not being able to collect the money behind it. For its 2014-15 season, one of the Jumps were replaced by "Plus One", which is basically Phone-a-Friend except you have to bring the friend with you. In an act of desperation, the 2015-16 season returned to the classic structure, using a 14-question progression and reviving 50:50 in place of the jump.

"Is that your final answer?"

- TV tropes

Thanks for listening to Game Show Roundtable!

Visit our official website to listen anywhere without ads:
https://fun818.github.io/game-show-roundtable-podcast-website/

Here you’ll find links to all podcast platforms and info on co-hosting.

Enjoyed today’s episode? Connect with us on social media!

Channel: Game Bouncer's Channel (the creator)

Stay tuned for more game show excitement — your favorite show could be an episode away.

Laura Medrano has a secret obsession: Not only is she a game show contestant, she is a bit of a game show fanatic!
Game Show Appearances: The Blind Date, Minute to Win It: Girls Got Game (Season 2 Episode 39), Let's Make A Deal (audience member/partner), People Puzzler
From the MTV reality days of the 90's to the rigid and laid-back GSN days of the late 2010's, from big to small and wild to low-key, Laura Medrano has experienced it all. Today, she talks to Game Bouncer about her experiences and advice she has for future game show contestants or those that have to yet to have their chance and about some of the fun behind-the-scenes secrets.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys cooking, eating healthy, and inspiring others to use food to support their overall well-being and reconnect with their bodies.
If you would like to check out more of what Laura does in her spare time, hoping to find a new perspective on food, or looking to or support Laura, check out her YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAjuiePVytvUloJMsENdvMQ

Thanks for listening to Game Show Roundtable!

Visit our official website to listen anywhere without ads:
https://fun818.github.io/game-show-roundtable-podcast-website/

Here you’ll find links to all podcast platforms and info on co-hosting.

Enjoyed today’s episode? Connect with us on social media!

Channel: Game Bouncer's Channel (the creator)

Stay tuned for more game show excitement — your favorite show could be an episode away.