"Child Support" is a game show in which contestants answer questions for money. Hosted by Fred Savage, the show's hook is that a panel of five children answers the same questions. If the contestant answers incorrectly, the children can save him with a correct answer.
The contestants are vibrating with enthusiasm, like Will Ferrell in "Elf". This contestant pool has not been vetted for "Jeopardy". After all, they face questions that are within the purview of children, on subjects like nursery rhymes, animated films and Justin Bieber. So they are selected for their personalities.
The children are at the age when they get frequent visits by the tooth fairy. They are precocious, meaning they like attention even more than the average kid. The show relies on the humor in the responses of children. This is an area that has been mined by Art Linkletter, Ellen, and Steve Harvey. The popularity of internet videos has reawakened this entertainment niche. If you like the darn things that these snaggle-toothed kids say, you will probably enjoy "Child Support". Ricky Gervais gets the questionable honor of interacting with the children.
The maximum a contestant can win is $200,000. Wrong answers result in reduced payouts or elimination. Real money is attainable, because the questions are relatively easy. In two episodes, I missed only one question. So don't expect to be challenged or to learn much.
Between the host, the contestants, the kids and Ricky, the cuteness quotient is off the charts. You may overdose on twee-ness.
