TVSquad

I guess they think he's FOX-worthy. Now to go along with his hit game show Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?, FOX has greenlit an animated series about a NASCAR family by and featuring the voice talent of Jeff Foxworthy. In fact, the same article goes on to report that they're developing a daily syndicated version of Fifth Grader also to be hosted by the redneck king. I could never really get into the show because too often the answer to the titular question is "No" and at this point it's just getting sad how stupid we're collectively getting.

As for the animated series, with the show set in the world of NASCAR, I worry that the premise is too narrow. But if anybody can turn a show about the redneck's sport of choice into a bona fide hit it would be the guy who helped turn the Blue Collar Comedy Tour into a national phenomenon. This guy gets the working class and they love him right back. I suspect he'll be gently poking fun at them much like his "You might be a redneck" jokes. If he goes too gentle, he can just call it King of the Track and be done with it.

And the winner for The Jeopardy Award for 2008, given to the game show requiring the most skills, is ... American Gladiators!

Out of the five nominees, AG not only got the most votes from the TV Squad staff but also our readers (getting about 50 votes more than Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?).

The show may not require a lot of brain power, but it is so physically demanding that some competitors leave the arena seriously injured.

Each week, four competitors (two women and two men) test their physical and mental strength, endurance and confidence in a series of wacky and challenging events such as the Joust, the Wall, Hang Tough and The Eliminator.

Welcome to Subtle Subtitles. For those of you who are uninitiated to the purpose of this feature, we're asking you to come up with your funniest quote or description for what's going on in the screen grab we choose for the week. Winners are announced in the following Friday's contest.

1st place to Usama:

2nd place to Josh: Tony: "...and, in a nutshell, that's why sub-prime loans have led to a staggering amount of foreclosures and a precipitous drop in the stock market." Jeff: "I'm sorry, the answer was 'doggy.' We were looking for 'doggy.'"
3rd place to Jacob: "Well, it is a lot funnier when I actually use the sock puppets."

This week, a scene from the latest episode of Private Practice ...

Welcome to Subtle Subtitles. For those of you who are uninitiated to the purpose of this feature, we're asking you to come up with your funniest quote or description for what's going on in the screen grab we choose for the week. Winners are announced in the following Friday's contest.

1st place to Chris:

2nd place to Bus: "After this incident, Larry was still only the second biggest pimp at the comic book convention. The first being Josh Livingston who tripped and felt Princess Leia's boob back in 83'."
3rd place to ac: "Don't worry Wonder Woman the room is sealed. Catwoman will never be able to get in."
to Chris: "Boy the Legion of Doom is looking great this year Show Girl"

This week, a scene with Tony Hawk on Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? ...

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader kicks off its second season next month with four one-hour episodes and a two-hour season premiere.

The premiere airs Thursday, September 6 at 8:00 p.m., followed by a new episode every Thursday, save for one episode airing on Friday, October 5.

I've only watched a few episodes of this series, but I can only take so many minutes of a yammering jackass behaving in a manner that proves he's not only less smart than a fifth grader, he's also vastly more immature.

• At 8, CBS has a new Pirate Master.
• ABC has the special Fast Cars & Superstars at 8, followed by the Cavaliers/Spurs game.
• FOX has a new Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader? at 8, then a new So You Think You Can Dance.
• TBS has four excellent episodes of Friends starting at 8, including the one where Ross dates the girl with the messy apartment and Chandler falls for Joey's girlfriend.
• At 9, TLC has a new American Chopper.
• USA has a new episode of The Starter Wife at 9.
• At 9:30, HBO2 has a making-of special about John From Cincinnati, then the movie Brick.
• At 9:45, HBO has a first look at Evan Almighty.
• At 10, NBC has a new Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.
• There's a new Ultimate Fighter on Spike at 10.
• At 10:30, Comedy Central has a new Showbiz Show with David Spade.

Check your local TV listings for more.

With the last Super Bowl, CBS wavered back and forth for a long time over just which show to air in the coveted slot before finally settling on Criminal Minds. Fox is trying to avoid all the speculation and hand-wringing by announcing already that their hit medical drama will get the nod.

It's a safe choice, but I'm not sure it's the smartest one. Is there really anything to be gained by putting House there? It's already the number one scripted show on television. That post Super Bowl boost might be put to better use giving it to a new show, or one that is still growing. My pick would be Bones. This season saw its ratings grow to the point that it is on the verge of being a top 20 show. The added exposure could push it over the top.

There is one caveat with that idea though. If the slot were to go to Bones, they would have to be sure to not make the same mistake that Criminal Minds did. Their post Super Bowl episode was far too dark and gorey. Bones certainly has the occasional cringe inducing moment, but they also have a good sense of fun when they go for the laugh. Given enough lead time, they could make the perfect showcase episode for the spot. Really though, as long as it isn't Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader, I'm ok with it either way.

The Black Donnellys (Mon., 10PM, NBC) series premiere
There are no original ideas in the movies -- everything's a sequel, prequel or "re-imagining." So, it's no surprise that this new show from Oscar-winning movie producers Paul Haggis and Bobby Moresco (Crash) tries to be an Irish version of The Sopranos. The Donnellys comprise four brothers: hothead Jimmy, gambling Kevin, artistic Tommy and baby Sean. When Jimmy kidnaps Kevin's bookie, the brothers find themselves facing off against the Italian mob.

Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? (Tue., 9:30PM, Fox) series premiere
Class is in session! Reality TV maestro Mark Burnett presents this new game show that tests just how much adults have forgotten since their elementary school days. Over three days this week, host Jeff Foxworthy will asks questions about everything from math to grammer to American history. And instead of using a lifeline or asking the mob, contestants can turn to some pint-sized experts: a group of real fifth graders.