'Our Little Genius' Becomes FOX's Big Debacle

By Marc Schneider Posted Jan 8th 2010 10:26AM

In a shocking move, FOX has yanked the premiere of 'Our Little Genius,' a quiz show that was set to premiere next week after the premiere of 'American Idol,' because it was discovered some contestants were provided "information" ahead of time.

In a statement to the media, Mark Burnett, the show's creator and executive producer, said he asked the network to pull the episodes -- eight total -- because he is "not comfortable" with the end product.

Burnett said: "I recently discovered that there was an issue with how some information was relayed to contestants during the preproduction of 'Our Little Genius.' As a result, I am not comfortable delivering the episodes without reshooting them. I believe my series must always be beyond reproach, so I have requested that Fox not air these episodes."

It's believed "information" does not refer to actual answers being given to contestants of the show, which revolves around asking smart kids aged 6-12 brain-crunching questions with the chance to win thousands of dollars.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Burnett's production company will pay for reshooting the series and has agreed to pay out all the winnings of contestants in the never-to-be aired episodes. It's unclear if the same contestants will be used.

FOX respects the decision and provided a show of confidence that it will be back when Burnett gets things in order.

"Even though we were incredibly pleased with the quality of 'Our Little Genius,' we respect and appreciate his due diligence and the decision to pull these episodes," the network said in a statement. "We agree there can be no question about the integrity of our shows."

Still, losing out on premiering after highly rated 'American Idol' must surely sting for Burnett. If so, he hasn't commented.

A new premiere date has not been scheduled. Instead of premiering a new show after the 'Idol,' Fox will instead air a repeat of the 450th episode of 'The Simpsons.'

Burnett has quite the track record for creating hit shows, including 'The Apprentice' and 'Survivor,' but he has had his bumps in the road, most notably with projects involving children. In 2004, he convinced CBS to pick up 'Recovery,' a six-episode reality documentary that starred former CIA and military officials searching for kidnapped children and their abductors.

Child Welfare groups were critical of the idea, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and Child Quest International, which accused Burnett of trying to exploit already exploited children. "The idea for ['Recovery'] sickens me," Quest's Lindsey Brooks said at the time. It appears 'Recovery' never aired.

His current hit 'Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?' weathered a very minor dust-up in 2007 with a classified ad posting for the show that asked for "attractive" kids to audition.

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Tags: mark burnett, our little genius

Comments

(116)

Friday 08 January

By kcdgenius

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So fox was gonna air another 'reality' show that was staged and scripted?

whats the problem? Nothing new.

By Eddygh

REALITY TELEVISION .....isn't that an oxymorn

Sunday 10 January

By greg

It was obvious from the TV feeders that the kids had been coached. Who in the hell can name off of the top of their heads the VPs who became president?

By woundedwarrior

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

you must be a democrat!!!!!!

By rufus douglas

Vote down Vote up Report this

here here!

By jamesnpost

FOX? Yeah, I saw that, the question was, "Which 20th Century president was the worst liberal socialist loser? Careful now, it might not be the one you're thinking of."
One kid said to the other, "Hey, that's not fair. You're praying for the answer."

Saturday 09 January

By Glenn

If you are referring to Obama you wouldn't even make it on this kiddie show. He is a 21st Century President.

By bill

Hey at least us liberals can be happy that dumb Reagan is dead.

By Talo

Bill Wrote...

"Hey at least us liberals can be happy that dumb Reagan is dead."

Bill, so is VP Biden's Mother... but few Conservatives see any reason to CELEBRATE that fact. I have no question you are an embarrassment to the vast majority of your Party.

By sandy

All I can say is that this Mark Burnett guy, the producer of "My Little Genius" should be congratulated for not only being HONEST but actually having a lot of CLASS. Pulling a show after it has been filmed costs a lot of money. Let's face it, this guy can out shine Congress any day. Yes, he will lose some viewers because his first show won't follow the first show of the season for American Idol, but I pray that when God closes that door for him, he opens another.

Good Luck Mark!

By katarch

If Mark B. had any class he would not be developing a show that uses kids for the profit of TV networks, period. Just because this is a game show format does not mean that it is any less exploitative than those creepy baby beauty pageants.

By Sam

Touche'

By Ready2Ride

By george

Obviously, the only reason he pulled the show is because he knew he couldn't get away with it after millions watch it. It would have been very easy to tell if the kids had advanced knowledge of anything at all. And it might not have been the questions, it could have been the topics as well.

Monday 11 January

By Ritchie

Got to agree with you on the baby beauty pageants. But how do you classify todays cartoon formats that try to brainwash our youngsters with the liberal agenda. Don't the big networks make a ton of cash on that? Is that not explioting the young?

By Darlen

Any show that can be an example to children that gaining and using your knowledge is an effective way of living life is a lot better than a show that teaches children that the only thing that matters is what you look like on the outside. Because lets face it, beauty can sometimes get you far, but knowledge will always make you successful!

By nelson

Just like the fox"news" channel everything is scripted including the so called news they spew!!!!!!any thing from fox is evil

By Leonard

A famous President (Abraham Lincoln) once said, "It is better to be thought a fool than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt". You should take his advice to heart.

By pat

leonard, too bad dumya didn't take lincoln's advice

By ninyo

And so Mr Dimwit, give us an example of the spewing. I bet
you voted for the guy that runs the New Rhodesia; bound to
be a "success story" like that lost country. You ain't seen
nuttin yet about the damage, Mr Obdamage is doing to this
great country under his mismanagement: aka the Lollygag
Administration. In closing, why is the alleged most powerful
loose liberal in the world "skerred" to go on Fox. You know
the reason why.

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