Travis Kelce is one step closer to making his debut as a game show host.
In April, Amazon MGM Studios announced that the Kansas City Chiefs tight end was cast to host a new series called “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” that will air on Prime Video. On Aug. 8, the studio released the first pictures of Kelce on the set of the game show.
In one photo, Kelce, wearing a cerulean suit, smiles wide while standing in front of the "Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?" logo and a bookcase filled with various trophies.
Amazon MGM Studios also noted some of the celebrity panelists who will help the contestants answer questions on the show: comedians Nikki Glaser, Natasha Leggero, Nicole Byer and Ron Funches; retired NFL players Ryan Fitzpatrick and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson; actor and “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Garcelle Beauvais; “Vanderpump Rules” star Lala Kent; “The Family Stallone” star Sophia Stallone; and actor, comedian and television host Lilly Singh.
In photos from the set, the panel of celebrities sits in red chairs behind desk plates with their names.
In another first-look image, Kelce appears between Funches and a contestant named Allie.
“Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” will premiere on Oct. 16 with three episodes, the studio said in a press release. The rest of the 20-episode first season will arrive weekly.
Kelce's upcoming series is a spinoff of the funny quiz show “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” that debuted on Fox in 2007. In each episode of the NFL star's show, viewers will meet an adult contestant who will use the help of the celebrity panel to answer 11 questions. The questions will come from a variety of elementary-level subjects.
During the final round, one star will be selected to discuss the question, which will be at a sixth grade level, with the contestant. If the answer is right, the contestant wins the $100,000 prize.
Similar to “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” contestants will also have a “cheat” option to better their chances of making it to the next round.
Kelce’s show will be available to stream in over 240 countries and territories around the world.
The star athlete expressed his excitement about taking on the new role in a statement released in April.
“I grew up loving game shows, and I’m excited to be following in the footsteps of so many TV icons by hosting my very first one with ‘Are you Smarter than a Celebrity,’” the three-time Super Bowl winner said. “The original show is a great success, so to be bringing a new format with everyone’s favorite celebrities to the screen, will definitely be entertaining. I’m just happy to be on the hosting side of the equation here and excited to see how these famous faces keep up.”
Kelce has already proven on his weekly “New Heights” podcast with brother Jason Kelce that he has enough charisma and jokes to keep viewers entertained. He has experience leading a television show, too. In 2016, he starred on an E! reality dating show called “Catching Kelce.” He met 50 women, representing all of the U.S. states, who were hoping to fall in love with him.
Throughout the show, which only aired for one season, he took the women on group dates and fancy VIP dates. His brother popped up on a football-themed date in Episode 3.
During an interview with “The Pivot” podcast in January 2023, Kelce said the show was a “learning experience,” but that he’d “never” try reality television again.
Now, Kelce is ready to try leading a different type of show.
In an April statement about Kelce being chosen to lead “Are You Smarter Than a Celebrity?” Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD originals unscripted and targeted programming for Amazon MGM Studios, teased that viewers will see Kelce’s “natural, comedic dynamic with our panelists and guests.”
Barry Poznick, general manager of MGM Alternative and co-creator of the series, described Kelce as “the ultimate class clown.”