[quote name=\'pownster\' post=\'161835\' date=\'Aug 23 2007, 09:42 PM\']
There seems to be a reinsurgence in the number of shows showcasing "smartness" on TV here in Australia recently. Last week - there was a special "Young Einstein Factor" - which saw three 12-14 year old show up a number of otherwise intelligent, former quiz show people. Tomorrow - a spelling show called "HotSpell" will premiere on our multicultural channel SBS. And in the near future - the two US formats "Are You Smarter than A Fifth Grader" and "Singing Bee" will make their local debuts.
Here is an article featuring these shows:
"Battle of the Brains" - "The Age", Melbourne (23 Aug 2007)Are we witnessing a global trend towards promoting "intelligence" on the small screen?
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The Age is grasping at straws. "...5th Grader?" is more laugh-at-the-moron than it is promoting intelligence.
From our British friends: Was "HotSpell" a UK format, or am I getting it mixed up with something else?
And has SBS (which is government-owned, but commercial) ever done a game show before?