Summary
As a game show, Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? is entertaining and filled with lots of laughs and contestants you can’t help but root for. If you’re a fan of quizzes that test your knowledge in a fun and comfortable setting, this show will be perfect for you, but it isn’t doing anything new with the format.
Fans of the iconic game show series Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? are in for a treat with Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?, a fun-for-all-the-family game show from MGM Alternative, a division of Amazon MGM Studios.
It’s time to put knowledge to the test, as the contestants need to answer eleven questions for the chance to win $100,000. Helping our average Joes along the way is a classroom of celebrities, with host Travis Kelce to keep them all in line. Some celebrities on the show include Thursday Night Football analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick; former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco; podcaster Sophia Stallone; actress and producer Lilly Singh; Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais, and comedians Nikki Glaser, Nicole Byer, and Ron Funches.
The adult contestants don’t compete against the stars — they’re there to help them answer their questions. When they get to the final question worth $100,000, the contestant selects just one celebrity to discuss the answer with before locking it in. It’s intense, and there’s a lot of pressure, especially in under 45 minutes.
The celebs are sat on comfy-looking red chairs on a big red carpet, so we know they’re special. The contestants stand at a well-lit podium, with an impressive background of spotlights and a makeshift library. It’s a fancy and impressive set, with enough color and flash to keep your attention.
Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? feels like a merger of classic game shows, especially UK-based ones like The Wheel and Blankety Blank, but honestly, it’s less funny and has less charm, and I think that’s down to the intended audience and the comedy style. It is American through and through and is very much tailored to an American audience, but that doesn’t mean the international crowd on Prime Video, where the show is streaming, should avoid it. Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? has a lot to offer.
The 20-episode game show is hosted by the three-time Super Bowl champion Kelce and he is bold, loud, and knows how to handle a large, live studio audience. He’s not too bad on the eyes, either, as seen in Grotesquerie, although it’s doubtful there will be much overlap in the target audiences.
The questions start quite easy, so when you’re playing along with the contestant you’re sure to get the first few. Then as the money gets larger, so do the stakes and the questions become progressively harder. Contestants can tap out and take their prize pot at any time, and there’s no shame in that, especially when you’re at large, potentially life-changing amounts. If they continue and get a question wrong, they lose the entire pot. It’s hard not to feel sorry for people when they lose large amounts, especially after getting to know and like them.
Each episode follows the same format, so you know what you’re getting. Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity? doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s an ideal throwback to watch with family and friends in the evenings, which is clearly the market it’s aiming for.
