M-Net game show seeks contestants

Unlike reality shows that test your strength and strategic stealth or other game shows that are completely dependent on luck, all you have to do to win that magic million in this show is to outsmart a 10-year old.

Each round is played by an individual contestant who is presented with the chance to win up to R1 million cash by answering questions taken from class materials of a fifth grade level or lower. Each correct answer moves the contestant higher up the ladder of rand values. If a contestant answers all ten questions correctly, he/she is given the chance to answer an 11th question for R1 000 000.

Each contestant has “classmates” consisting of a group of fifth grade children seated on stage who are simultaneously answering the same questions as the contestant. If the contestant is unsure of their answer, they have three opportunities to use one of their classmates to save them from elimination, by making use of their answers instead.

Once the contestant confirms or “locks down” his/her final answer, there is no going back and if they are wrong, they'll have to face the shame of admitting that they are NOT smarter than a fifth grader on national television!

Entries for Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? opened on Friday 5 October and more information is available on www.mnet.co.za.

The American version, reportedly a runaway success, starts on M-Net Series, channel 104 on DStv, on Friday 26 October at 9pm.