Think being the "smartest kid in America" is easy? Michael's been preparing for the title his entire life! Michael enjoys reading and plans to design aircrafts someday.
fox_chat_host:
This is quite an honor for us
fox_chat_host:
to have such a bright young person here to chat with us today.
fox_chat_host:
Welcome, Michael...
smartest_kid_live: I'm glad I could
be here!
lottiemott92 asks: How did it
feel winning the Smartest Kid honor?
smartest_kid_live:
It was pretty exciting when I found out...
mulder_ltd asks: Hey Michael
were you scared that you might not win?
smartest_kid_live: It's pretty unbelievable
that I made it.
smartest_kid_live: I really wasn't
expecting to win,
smartest_kid_live: I wasn't expecting
to win when the show started.
bardugo asks: What was the scariest
part of the competition?
smartest_kid_live: It wasn't really
scary, but it was
smartest_kid_live: nerve-wracking.
smartest_kid_live: Some parts really
got you tense.
smartest_kid_live: Like the face-off
or the last round.
mulder_ltd asks: How did you
know all those answers?
smartest_kid_live: I don't know
really :).
smartest_kid_live: I think it was
just an ability I have to
smartest_kid_live: pick up all this
information.
mulder_ltd asks: How has it
affected your life?
smartest_kid_live: Well, it's really
made the kids at school think a lot more differently about me.
smartest_kid_live: I'm really glad
I was able to do this.
smartest_kid_live: Everyone treats
me a lot better...
smartest_kid_live: asking for autographs!
smartest_kid_live: At the beginning
I was glad I made it and
smartest_kid_live: that everyone
was proud of that.
smartest_kid_live: I don't know.
redhoulk asks: What is your
IQ?
smartest_kid_live: I don't know.
sweetgal_222 asks: I have to
say I was rooting for you to win and my question is how did you feel
when you won?
smartest_kid_live: When I won, I
was really surprised and
smartest_kid_live: excited.
smartest_kid_live: I knew I had
just won
smartest_kid_live: pretty much the
best thing I could win.
SwellCaat asks: Did you study
and remember to become this intelligent? What is your trick?
smartest_kid_live: I don't really
know if I have a trick.
smartest_kid_live: It's more of
a gift
smartest_kid_live: that I was lucky
enough to get.
smartest_kid_live: I don't know
why...
smartest_kid_live: it just makes
me unique.
SwellCaat asks: What do you
do in leisure time?
smartest_kid_live: Read.
smartest_kid_live: I just finished
The Lord of the Rings.
smartest_kid_live: It had an interesting
plot and good characters.
chatty_90403 asks: Has there
ever been a time when you wished you weren't as smart as you are?
smartest_kid_live: Yes...
smartest_kid_live: many times.
smartest_kid_live: The smarter kids
in our school get more homework,
smartest_kid_live: and sometimes
kids pick on you.
littlemac5000 asks: How many
books have you read?
smartest_kid_live: I lost count
awhile ago.
chatty_90403 asks: Will you
be keeping in touch with any of the kids you met on the show?
smartest_kid_live: I probably will.
smartest_kid_live: I'm good friends
with two of the other kids
smartest_kid_live: and I'll probably
keep in touch with some of the other kids.
musicangel429 asks: Michael,
are you sure you want to the President of the United States when you
grow up?
smartest_kid_live: No, I'm not sure
:).
smartest_kid_live: That was something
I had to make up on the spot!
thepostingpage asks: Who do
you look up to the most?
smartest_kid_live: Probably, my
dad.
smartest_kid_live: He spends a lot
of time with me.
smartest_kid_live: He's nice, he's
caring, he listens to me.
warptweet3 asks: Hello Michael.
Are you attending college?
smartest_kid_live: No, I'm going
to middle school right now.
carbon_combustion asks: Do you
feel a lot of pressure from your parents and teachers to exceed?
smartest_kid_live: No, I don't really
feel that much pressure in school.
smartest_kid_live: No one's really
pressuring me to succeed.
tagdancer asks: How was it meeting
all those other gifted kids? Make any new friends?
smartest_kid_live: Yes, I met some
kids that I didn't know before
smartest_kid_live: and I made friends
with them.
meridas_max asks: What do you
want to do when you grow up?
smartest_kid_live:
Probably...design aircrafts
smartest_kid_live: That's my first
thought
smartest_kid_live: but I haven't
really considered it seriously yet.
smartest_kid_live: I'm always very
interested in aircraft and science.
dzareski asks: Michael, could
you describe for us the whole experience, before and after the show.
Aside from winning, was it all fun?
smartest_kid_live: Oh, yes, it was
fun that I got to meet everyone.
smartest_kid_live: I got to Universal
Studios.
smartest_kid_live: Before the show,
there was a lot of anticipation.
smartest_kid_live: We didn't know
who was going to win.
smartest_kid_live: Afterwards, I
just couldn't believe I won.
smartest_kid_live: I really was
pretty excited about winning!
space_man_y2k asks: How did
you get on the show?
smartest_kid_live: I got a letter
from my teacher about a test
smartest_kid_live: and if you took
that test and you scored in
smartest_kid_live: the top six you
got an interview.
smartest_kid_live: And out of however
many hundreds got an interview,
smartest_kid_live: the top 50 were
chosen to go on the show.
alexakis_inthemix asks: What's
your favorite subject?
smartest_kid_live:
Probably math.
guy_from_canada69 asks: Were
the questions of equal difficulty?
smartest_kid_live: I'm inclined
to say no,
smartest_kid_live: because some
were easier and some were harder.
smartest_kid_live: I think it was
just pure chance.
smartest_kid_live: But some people
got easier questions than I did
smartest_kid_live: and some got
harder questions than I did.
Yangshuo2000 asks: How did you
feel about the way the show was set up--the set and the competition?
smartest_kid_live: I didn't have
any major problems.
smartest_kid_live: The only thing
I didn't like was the mist machine.
smartest_kid_live: It kinda fogged
up the whole set!
musicangel429 asks: Was being
on the show the first time you've ever been on national television?
smartest_kid_live:
Yes.
guy_from_canada69 asks: Did
you expect to win?
smartest_kid_live: No, I DID NOT
expect to win.
smartest_kid_live: I didn't expect
to get past the first or second round.
Yangshuo2000 asks: Honestly
now... do you think winning proves you are the "Smartest Kid in America"?
smartest_kid_live: No...
smartest_kid_live: I think it proves
that I'm the smartest kid in America
smartest_kid_live: that Dick Clark
Productions could find!
mulder_ltd asks: Micheal what
did your parents say when they saw you after you won?
smartest_kid_live: They were both
really proud of me that I won.
alisonnoir asks: What did your
parents do to foster your intellectual gifts?
smartest_kid_live: Well...
smartest_kid_live: let me see...
smartest_kid_live: I remember they
helped me along a lot when I was learning.
smartest_kid_live: They encourage
me and gave me support.
smartest_kid_live: Yes, they did
get me lots of books when I was little.
my_connection asks: I have to
ask, how do you know so many things at such a young age, do you read
a lot or enroll in a special program for kids like you?
smartest_kid_live: Well, I do read
a lot.
smartest_kid_live: I'm not in a
special program except the gifted program at school
smartest_kid_live: but I do read
a lot.
smartest_kid_live: I just think
it's a gift that I have to soak up knowledge!
majinvejitashin asks: Are you
in advanced classes, and if so, how advanced?
smartest_kid_live: I am taking "gifted
classes" for my grade and
smartest_kid_live: seventh grade
math but
smartest_kid_live: I'm not as advanced
as some of the other kids were on that show.
babydoll1313_99 asks: what was
the hardest question you had to answer?
smartest_kid_live: I can't really
say which one was the hardest.
smartest_kid_live: Quite a few of
my answers were just guesses.
smartest_kid_live: Some I knew and
some I didn't.
thepostingpage asks: What is
your favorite thing to do on your computer?
smartest_kid_live: I like to play
strategy games.
smartest_kid_live: Any kind of game
that will give your brain a stretch.
smartest_kid_live: Trying to figure
out what goes where and when.
keebs79 asks: Should there ever
be another show, would you like to come back and defend your title?
smartest_kid_live: LOL...if there
was another show like this
smartest_kid_live: why wouldn't
I want to defend my title?
smartest_kid_live: But, once is
enough.
smartest_kid_live: If there was
another show like this, I don't think I'd want to be on it that badly.
smartest_kid_live: Backstage it
was a lot of excitement.
smartest_kid_live: A lot was going
on...
smartest_kid_live: backstage was
where everything you didn't see on the show happened...
smartest_kid_live: putting mics
on us, brought us stuff to drink.
rango316 asks: How does your
sister feel about you winning?
smartest_kid_live: My sister was
pretty excited that I won.
malakye1 asks: Is his sister
as smart as he is?
smartest_kid_live: She might be...just
in a different area than me.
smartest_kid_live: She's more creative
than I am.
RMadisonWI asks: What is your
favorite movie?
smartest_kid_live: Probably any
of the Star Wars movies.
smartest_kid_live: The special effects
are pretty good.
punkisgoodforyou asks: Mike,
what are your hobbies?
smartest_kid_live: Well, I can do
model rocketry
smartest_kid_live: and I used to
do model trains
smartest_kid_live: and I used to
take gymnastics and karate.
strike_syndicate_breaker asks:
What did you get for winning?
smartest_kid_live: The Grand Prize
was a $300,000 trust fund for college.
navap23 asks: You like Video
Games?
smartest_kid_live: I do. I don't
play them much, but I like them.
stephen432 asks: Do you have
a photographic memory?
smartest_kid_live: No. I think my
memory is more auditory.
starwars666 asks: How many languages
do you speak?
smartest_kid_live: The only language
I can speak more than 20 words in is English.
strike_syndicate_breaker asks:
What part of the show did you find the hardest?
smartest_kid_live: I think the one-on-one,
"Millionaire" style round,
smartest_kid_live: that I had pretty
hard questions in.
horou2000 asks: Does your amount
of knowledge scare others?
smartest_kid_live: No.
smartest_kid_live: Doesn't scare
anybody.
akperson1 asks: What is an average
day for you like Michael?
smartest_kid_live: I'll get up at
maybe 7:30,
smartest_kid_live: get ready for
school,
smartest_kid_live: go to school
smartest_kid_live: at 3:30, head
home,
smartest_kid_live: do my homework
smartest_kid_live: spend the rest
of the day as free time.
musicangel429 asks: What sports
do you like to play?
smartest_kid_live: I'm not really
good at any, except for gymnastics.
djdak206 asks: Did any of the
other kids on the show have a snobby attitude due to the fact that they
thought THEY were the smartest kid in the world?
smartest_kid_live: Not that I noticed.
a_girl_called_mo asks: I'm just
wondering...what area of knowledge do you consider your forte?
smartest_kid_live: Mmmm...
smartest_kid_live: I think science
or math...
smartest_kid_live: probably science.
runitszack asks: How old were
you when you learned to read thoroughly?
smartest_kid_live: I think I was
three and a half.
smartest_kid_live: From what my
mom tells me,
smartest_kid_live: the very first
book I read was a Thomas the Tank Engine book
strike_syndicate_breaker asks:
Do you enjoy school or would you rather spend your time playing games?
smartest_kid_live: That depends.
smartest_kid_live: School is generally
enjoyable.
musicangel429 asks: What's coming
up in the future for you?
smartest_kid_live: Well, I think
I'll go through school at the normal rate.
smartest_kid_live: I think I'll
go to college at age 17
smartest_kid_live: because I've
skipped a grade.
smartest_kid_live: I'm not quite
sure what I want to study in college,
smartest_kid_live: but afterwards,
I'll just launch my career.
skrball asks: DO YOU PLAN ON
MAKING A CAREER OUT OF TRIVIA AND STUFF?
smartest_kid_live: No, not that
I plan on, but that's always another option!
rysimms asks: What kind of computer
do you have?
smartest_kid_live: Not a very good
one by today's standards.
smartest_kid_live: But it works
for what I need it to do.
navap23 asks: What's your most
favorite computer game?
smartest_kid_live: Hmmm...probably
a game called Starcraft.
smartest_kid_live: It's a strategy
game and even though I've been playing it for awhile
smartest_kid_live: it's still new...like
the smell of a new car.
thepostingpage asks: Have you
ever made a Web page?
smartest_kid_live: I've made Web
pages, but none that have actually gone on the Internet yet.
waccd asks: Do you feel that
FOX put immense pressure on you?
smartest_kid_live: Well, I think
they overexaggerated the show, but
smartest_kid_live: the pressure
wasn't as bad as it sounded like it was going to be.
drivinabenz asks: Have you been
recognized in public yet?
smartest_kid_live: Oh, yes!
smartest_kid_live: It was kind of
a shock at first.
the_only_scout asks: What do
you hope to contribute to the world or to the U.S.?
smartest_kid_live: Well, if I do
end up becoming President
smartest_kid_live: on accident or
on purpose,
smartest_kid_live: I think I'll
try and reform this country!
RMadisonWI asks: Do you travel
a lot? If so, where do you go?
smartest_kid_live: I don't travel
much
smartest_kid_live: except for summer
vacation with the family.
smartest_kid_live: It's not normally
to the same place...
smartest_kid_live: One year, New
Hampshire,
smartest_kid_live: another New York...Niagara
Falls.
smartest_kid_live: I've gone to
a couple of different places.
badger_55 asks: You said you
wanted to be President, what do you think of our current president?
smartest_kid_live: He's good, but
he could use some improvement.
smartest_kid_live: He's a decent
president.
smartest_kid_live: That scandal
made him not that favorable with the public.
navap23 asks: Do you like all
the popularity that you get?
smartest_kid_live: It was good when
it started,
smartest_kid_live: but now, it's
getting annoying
smartest_kid_live: when people are
swarming all around you.
smartest_kid_live: Not swarming,
but when you're the center of attention
smartest_kid_live: it just gets
exasperating after awhile.
this_time_around_69 asks: Have
you ever felt as if you didn't fit in because of your age and the fact
that you're so smart and smarter then a lot of kids your age?
smartest_kid_live: No, I've never
really thought that.
smartest_kid_live: I've got some
good friends so
smartest_kid_live: I feel that I
fit in.
garyy_1 asks: What do you think
makes you so smart and intelligent? Is it genetics, environment, or
something else?
smartest_kid_live: I think it's
just...a recessive gene that pops up once every hundred years or so.
jared0125 asks: With all this
publicity, do you plan on taking advantage of it any?
smartest_kid_live: I'm not planning
on taking advantage of it myself.
joeys_sweetie_19 asks: Wow,
great job! I'd just like to know when your parents recognized your abilities.
smartest_kid_live: I'm asking my
mom right now.
smartest_kid_live: She says it was
when they realized I could read at three and a half.
super_hellfire_phoenix asks: Are
you afraid of the negative effects of the "child genius" stigma?
smartest_kid_live: No, not really.
smartest_kid_live: I don't think
the negative effects are very great.
jared0125 asks: Do you use the
Internet a lot?
smartest_kid_live: Not much.
smartest_kid_live: I generally
use it for school projects
tagdancer asks: Any person in
particular you'd really like to meet?
smartest_kid_live: Not really.
smartest_kid_live: I can't think
of any one special name that stands out.
dzareski asks: Michael, what's
the one thing that you'd like other people to know about you that hasn't
come up so far?
smartest_kid_live: That on the inside,
I'm just a normal kid.
sabs_90049 asks: Congratulations
Michael. You were great.
smartest_kid_live: Thanks!
smartest_kid_live: It was great
talking with you, but I've got to go now. Bye.
fox_chat_host: Thanks so much for
being here!
sjs1399 asks: YOU ARE SUCH A
GREAT KID I REALLY HOPE SOMEDAY YOU DO BECOME PRESIDENT!!!!!!
