TV PREVIEW
“Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,” 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Fox
Enough time has passed that the original crew of fifth-graders who joined legendary stand-up comic Jeff Foxworthy for the surprise hit Fox game 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.
“Are You Smarter” returns after a four-year hiatus at 8 p.m. Tuesday as a summer replacement show. It aired for three seasons on Fox from 2007 to 2009 and two more in syndication.
Here is a primer on Dee, the local fifth-grader who will help adult contestants try to take home $1 million:
His school: J.W. 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, whom he discovered off Pandora in 2011
Favorite game show: "Family Feud" hosted by Steve Harvey
Intelligence bona fide: 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 on the show 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!"
