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Travis Kelce, the Kansas City Chiefs' superstar tight end, is set to take on a new role this October, but his latest venture is already causing a stir.
Kelce, 34, has been announced as the host of the upcoming Prime Video spinoff show, Are You Smarter Than A Celebrity?-a modern twist on the popular game show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? However, not everyone is thrilled about the NFL star's leap into the television world.
Why is Travis Kelce getting backlash for TV show gig?
The original Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, was a beloved show that ran from 2007 to 2015.
Foxworthy, known for his sharp wit and down-to-earth humor, made the format a hit by engaging contestants with his unique comedic style.
But with Kelce now stepping into the hosting role, some in the comedy community feel he's encroaching on Foxworthy's territory.
A source from the comedy world expressed concerns, stating, "Not to take anything away from Travis' incredible success, but this show and this format was originally tailored to be a Jeff Foxworthy vehicle. It seems pretty unfair for Travis just to march into the franchise and do Jeff's schtick without at least a little acknowledgment of who made the format work in the first place."
Kelce's hosting debut set for October
Kelce's hosting gig was first unveiled in April, and according to reports, his rehearsals have already earned rave reviews from studio executives.
The show, which will debut on October 16 with three episodes, will feature contestants relying on a panel of celebrities to help answer questions drawn from elementary school subjects.
Among the celebrity participants are comedians Nikki Glaser and Ron Funches, Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent, and former NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.
Despite the excitement surrounding the new show, the transition from Foxworthy to Kelce has left some fans and insiders questioning whether the essence of the original format will be lost.
While Foxworthy himself has not publicly commented on the new iteration, sources close to him suggest that the comedian isn't the type to stir up trouble, even if the situation might warrant it.
"You'd think Jeff himself would be interested in defending his own hard-won territory, but that's just not Jeff's personality at all," the source added.
"The guy doesn't have an egotistical bone in his body, and unfortunately, that's the thing that made it so easy for Travis and his team to come in, grab this franchise, and turn it into something totally celebrity-driven."
Whether Taylor Swift's boyfriend's hosting skills will win over fans of the original format or if the shift to a celebrity-driven format will backfire will remain a topic of conversation until the show's premier.