New Nerdy TV Show: Lifetime Network tonight premieres "Child Genius," a new competition show in which 20 "genius" boys and girls ages 8 to 12 compete with their brains to win a $100,000 college fund. Watch tonight, January 6, at 10/9c.
Leland Melvin, former astronaut and Associate Administrator for Education at NASA, with 2 of his many adoring fans.
The Deal: The television program is hosted by former astronaut and NASA STEM Administrator Leland Melvin, and produced in partnership with American Mensa, the society for people smarter than you or me. Like these kids.
THR calls it "predictably entertaining." The New York Times points out that unlike other kid competition shows ("Master Chef Junior," for instance), "Genius" also captures the obsessive wackiness of the parents: grown-ups on the show "hover with a smothering blend of encouragement and nerves." The parents aren't the only ones who can be challenging, of course. Education Week's review correctly observes that "Some of the little darlings come across as more likable than others."
Bottom Line: It's a smart, fun series that DIY/Maker/brainiac/Boing Boing reader types would enjoy following with their kids.
Bonus Prediction: The handsome and charismatic Mr. Melvin has real star quality, and I predict more sci-tech TV with him–not just for kids.
Watch a preview here.
