Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Monday, May 23, 2015
Enough time has passed that the original crew of fifth graders who joined legendary stand-up comic Jeff Foxworthy for the surprise hit Fox show "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" can now vote and are likely in college.
But Fox is hoping to recapture that original magic with Foxworthy back as host and a new cast of 10 and 11 year olds, including a Jonesboro 10-year-old Dee Dubois, a toddler when the show debuted in 2007.
The game show returns after a four-year hiatus Tuesday May 26 at 8 p.m. as a summer replacement show. It aired for three seasons on Fox from 2007 to 2009 and two more in syndication.
Here is a quick primer on Dee, the local 5th grader who will help adult contestants try to pocket $1 million:
His school: JW Arnold Elementary in Jonesboro, the same school Foxworthy attended, which appears to be a pure coincidence.
Why he tried out for the show: He has acted in TV commercials and wanted to do something bigger.
Best subjects: Language arts, history
Hobbies: Taking care of his English Cocker Spaniel Penny, playing the video game Tekken, following Japanese anime, reading mystery books
Obsessed with: Britney Spears, who he discovered off Pandora in 2011
Favorite game show: "Family Feud" hosted by Steve Harvey
Intelligence bonafide: At a recent honors assembly, he was named "author of the year" at his school. He hopes to become not just an actor but also a screenwriter. "People tell me I should write my own stuff," he said.
Opinion of Foxworthy: "He was hilarious. He would make everyone on the set crack up during breaks."
If he had $500,000 guaranteed but a shot at $1 million, would he go for it, even at the risk of losing $475,000? "I think I would. I'd take a chance. But I'd have to be in the moment!"
Dee's idea to stay on TV: "I'd love to do it again. They'll have to make it 'Are You Smarter Than a 6th Grader?' I'll just keep showing up. I'm back, y'all!"
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