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America's smartest children compete for life-changing grant on NBC's 'Genius Junior'

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Wed, Apr 5th 2017 07:35 pm

Hosted, executive produced by Neil Patrick Harris

New 10-episode game show gives children 12 years old and under the chance to show off their remarkable intelligence

No stranger to young geniuses, Neil Patrick Harris hosts NBC's new game show "Genius Junior," which celebrates the brightest children in America.

The average adult relies on Google maps to get them to their destination, their calculator for simple math problems and auto-correct for spelling errors. However, what if they had to memorize the entire U.S. highway system, do mind-bending math equations or spell incredibly complex words - backward - all on their own? What if they had to do this against the clock? And what if they were all 12 years old and under?

"Genius Junior" is the ultimate test of smarts. Twelve teams of children will compete to be crowned the winner. Over five grueling rounds, with each round tougher than the last, teams of three children will have to work together to beat the competition. It's not enough to win a spelling bee, be a mathlete or even a memory champion. To win "Genius Junior," one has to be brilliant at everything.

The winning team will take home the "Genius Junior" grant, which is designed to set the stage for a big and bright future ahead.

"I'm thrilled to be part of a project that shines a light on extraordinary children, and challenges viewers to exercise their own minds," Harris said. "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 kid. #pun."

Harris currently stars as Count Olaf in Netflix's series adaptation of "A Series of Unfortunate Events."

He is a five-time Emmy Award winner for hosting four Tony Awards telecasts and his guest-starring role on "Glee." He also served as host and producer of two Emmy Award telecasts. Additionally, Harris served as the host of the 87th Oscars in 2015. 

Harris appeared as the beloved character Barney Stinson in the hit CBS comedy series "How I Met Your Mother," a role that garnered him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations, as well as two People's Choice Awards and a Critics' Choice Award. Other TV credits include "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris," "Stark Raving Mad," "American Horror Story" and, famously, "Doogie Howser, M.D."

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