Kaylah Walton
Travis Kelce, the standout tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, is about to step into a new spotlight in October, but his latest project is already making waves.
Kelce, at 34, will be the host of the upcoming Prime Video spinoff called Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?, a contemporary take on the popular game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Nevertheless, not everyone is welcoming the NFL star’s entry into the realm of television.
Why is Travis Kelce receiving criticism for his TV show role?
The original Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, was a cherished show that aired from 2007 to 2015.
Foxworthy, renowned for his sharp humor, made the show a success by engaging contestants with his distinct comedic approach.
However, with Kelce taking on the hosting duties now, some in the comedy community believe he is stepping on Foxworthy’s turf.
A source from the comedy sphere voiced concerns, mentioning that, “Not to diminish Travis’ remarkable success, but this show and its format were originally designed as a Jeff Foxworthy vehicle. It seems rather unjust for Travis to simply come into the franchise and emulate Jeff’s style without acknowledging the person who originally made the format work.”
Kelce’s hosting debut scheduled for October
Kelce’s hosting role was revealed in April, and reports indicate that his rehearsals have already impressed studio executives.
The show is set to premiere on October 16 with three episodes, featuring contestants seeking help from a panel of celebrities to answer questions based on elementary school subjects.
Comedians Nikki Glaser and Ron Funches, Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent, and former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco are among the celebrity participants.
Despite the buzz surrounding the new show, some fans and insiders are skeptical about whether the essence of the original format will be preserved after the shift from Foxworthy to Kelce.
While Foxworthy has not publicly addressed the new version, sources close to him suggest that the comedian is unlikely to create a commotion, even if the situation might warrant it.
“One would expect that Jeff himself would defend his hard-earned territory, but that’s not Jeff’s style at all,” the source remarked.
“He lacks any egotism, and regrettably, that made it simple for Travis and his team to seize this franchise and transform it into something heavily celebrity-focused.”
Whether fans of the original format will embrace Taylor Swift’s boyfriend’s hosting abilities or if the shift to a celebrity-centric format will yield negative results will be a topic of discussion until the show debuts.
