Our Little Genius
Our Little Genius was an American television game show featuring child prodigies aged 6 to 12 who competed by answering progressively challenging questions in their specialized fields of knowledge, such as astronomy, history, or mythology, with the opportunity to win cash prizes up to $500,000 for their families.[1] The format involved ten levels of increasing difficulty, where parents could decide whether to risk advancing or secure accumulated winnings, with a minimum guarantee of $10,000 once that threshold was reached.[1] Hosted by comedian and actor Kevin Pollak and created by television producer Mark Burnett—known for hits like Survivor—the series was produced in association with Fox and intended as a prime-time family-oriented quiz program drawing from gifted youth and organizations like Mensa.[2][3] Promotional materials highlighted the contestants' exceptional abilities, with episodes taped in a theatrical studio setting complete with strobe lights and large video screens to emphasize the high-stakes excitement.[1] The show was abruptly canceled on January 7, 2010, just six days before its scheduled premiere, following concerns raised by Burnett about potential breaches in the production's integrity, including allegations that some contestants or parents may have received advance information on questions.[4] A parent's complaint to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) specifically claimed that production staff provided answers to at least four questions prior to taping, prompting an FCC inquiry into possible violations of federal rules prohibiting deceptive practices in contests of intellectual skill.[4][5] Although no episodes aired and the investigation did not result in penalties due to the unaired status, the incident marked Our Little Genius as a notable example of pre-broadcast controversy in television production, with only promotional footage surviving publicly.[5]Production
Development
"Our Little Genius" was conceived by producer Mark Burnett in 2009 as a family-oriented game show designed to showcase the talents of child prodigies. Burnett, known for high-stakes reality formats like "Survivor," envisioned a program that would highlight young participants' remarkable abilities in various fields, drawing from his interest in extraordinary human potential.[1][6] The initial concept focused on children aged 6 to 12 demonstrating expertise in academic subjects such as mathematics, science, history, and languages, with questions tailored to their specialized knowledge to emphasize intellectual achievement. This approach aimed to celebrate precocious talent and inspire viewers by presenting prodigies tackling complex topics like the periodic table or historical events.[1][6] Kevin Pollak was selected as host in December 2009 for his background as an actor and comedian, bringing comedic timing and a family-friendly presence to engage both young contestants and audiences. His selection aligned with the show's lighthearted yet educational tone, as noted in production announcements.[7][8] The project was picked up by Fox in late November 2009, with production moving swiftly to meet a premiere date of January 13, 2010. Filming took place at Los Angeles Center Studios in downtown Los Angeles, where all eight episodes were completed by early December 2009, emphasizing high-production values with a colorful, engaging set reminiscent of Burnett's polished reality productions.[6][9][10][1]Casting and Filming
The casting process for Our Little Genius targeted children aged 6 to 12 who demonstrated exceptional knowledge in specific subjects, positioning them as "geniuses" capable of handling advanced trivia.[11] Producers conducted nationwide open casting calls and accepted submissions from parents, followed by rigorous evaluations including video interviews, in-person auditions, and dry runs to assess each child's expertise in areas such as science, history, or coding.[12] Selected contestants, often contacted directly by the production team, underwent months-long vetting to ensure they met the show's high standards for intellectual prowess.[12] Filming took place over several days in late 2009 at Los Angeles Center Studios, where the production team shot approximately four episodes per day to complete the season efficiently.[10] A total of eight episodes were produced, each centering on a single child contestant who was quizzed on their area of expertise, with parents present on set primarily for observation and limited assistance, such as deciding when to use "lifelines."[9][10][12] The studio set was designed to foster an engaging, educational atmosphere, featuring a bright circular stage with a large LED cylinder that descended to reveal the contestant and display the show's logo, surrounded by spotlights, interactive elements like a "Nintendo power glove" for responses, and displays tailored to the episode's subject matter.[10][12] Host Kevin Pollak guided the proceedings from a central position, interacting with the child, parents, and a panel of three subject experts seated nearby.[10]Format
Gameplay
"Our Little Genius" featured a format designed to showcase the talents of child prodigies aged 6 to 12, with each episode divided into segments focusing on individual contestants competing solo to win cash prizes for their families.[1] Contestants selected a specialty area in advance, such as astronomy, paleontology, or Greek mythology, and faced a series of 10 progressively difficult questions tailored to that subject.[1][13] The questions were open-ended and multi-part, often requiring multiple accurate components—such as naming all 12 geological periods or detailing classifications within dinosaur groups—to fully succeed and advance.[1] The game progressed through 10 levels of escalating difficulty, with no head-to-head competition between children; instead, each contestant's performance was independent.[1] After each correct answer, parents could choose to bank the accumulated winnings or risk continuing to the next level, where failure would forfeit potential higher prizes beyond a $10,000 safety net achieved at level 3.[1] To aid decision-making, parents consulted a panel of experts, including Ivy League professors and scientists, who attempted the same questions to provide insights on their complexity.[14] The structure emphasized endurance and precision over speed, with no explicit time limits on responses, allowing children to deliberate fully on stage amid theatrical lighting and music.[1] Kevin Pollak served as host, guiding the proceedings by introducing contestants, posing questions, and facilitating brief interactions between the children, their families, and the expert panel.[13] Scoring was tied directly to level completion rather than points accumulation, with fixed cash awards per level as follows (representing cumulative totals after each level):| Level | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,000 |
| 2 | $5,000 |
| 3 | $10,000 |
| 4 | $25,000 |
| 5 | $50,000 |
| 6 | $100,000 |
| 7 | $175,000 |
| 8 | $250,000 |
| 9 | $350,000 |
| 10 | $500,000 |