Count Olaf is being brought in to judge the intelligence of children.
According to Deadline, Neil Patrick Harris will executive produce and host Genius Junior for NBC. The game show will pit 12 teams of kids against each other to compete for the title of Genius Junior. The 12 teams of three compete over five rounds for the grand prize of a Genius Junior Grant.
“I’m thrilled to be part of a project that shines a light on extraordinary children and challenges viewers to exercise their own minds,” said Harris. “NBC is a great home for Genius Junior. Plus, the contestants are kids, so they’re destined to be hilarious or, you know, snap. Win/win. I kids #pun.”
“Watching these amazing genius children solve problems that most adults would find impossible is absolutely riveting,” said President of Warner Bros. Unscripted and Alternative Television Mike Darnell. “Add in the super smart and multi-talented Neil Patrick Harris…and it’s a no-brainer that this show is going to work.”
“Tackling incredibly tough and fast-paced challenges, these amazing child prodigies will leave us entertained and awestruck,” said NBC Entertainment’s President of Alternative and Reality Group Paul Telegdy. “We are thrilled to have Neil as our host. His quick wit and charm are perfectly suited to keep up with the unpredictability that is sure to ensue.”
Genius Junior comes from Shed Media and Prediction Productions. The series is executive produced by Harris, Pam Healey, John Hesling, Phil Parson and Ed Egan. Harris also stars as Count Olaf on Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, which was just picked up for second season.