For years I wondered just why a show like this IT'S ACADEMIC didn't make it on the Networks. It was exciting, interesting and fast paced. Well, recently and after this longtime of wonderment the answer came to me. The truth of the matter was that there were many versions of this show, all being assigned to its particular Market Area.
Hence, much like the BOZO THE CLOWN Show, it was neither a Network Show, nor was it Syndicated, like say SEA HUNT or HIGHWAY PATROL. It was Franchised. That is, the rights to using the shows name, identifying Logo, basic format, verified question packages, theme music and ground rules were all available to individual TV Stations. They would put their own IT'S ACADEMIC shows together; using their own local people to provide the talents as M.C., Announcer, local facilities and technical crew.
Being produced locally, the TV station would naturally choose its contesting high schools from the metropolitan area that it serves; also known as its "Viewing Area".
In our own case, our version of IT'S ACADEMIC was produced and broadcast by our local NBC TV Station, WMAQ, Channel 5 here in Chicago. It had a healthy run of seasons beginning in the early 1960's and lasting at least for the decade. (Its exact details being unknown to author at this time.) The Host/M.C. was Channel 5 staff announcer, Ed Grennon. Mr. Grennon was endowed with that look of a Professional Academian. Sandy colored hair and always wearing dark, horn-rimmed glasses and neat, business suit; all made for a fine specimen of an Emcee. His appearance was that of a "Road Show" Allen Ludden; who of course, was long time host of the G.E. COLLEGE BOWL.
The questions were tough enough. Anyone viewing, be they a prep student or an adult, would find them difficult enough to answer while casually viewing in the living room. We can only imagine the pressure on the high schoolers sitting on stage in the TV studio; having the additional pressure of playing against the clock! The show must have done well enough in its local ratings derby. It seemed to be talked about at school. At one point, there was supposed to be a team sent from our school to compete. That was St. Rita High School, located on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The team was picked by the School Administration via the academic ranking. As thee was not to be any sort of try-outs conducted, it was pretty much a cut and dried situation. Al those guys who made Honor Roll all the time were candidates! Hell man, we was robbed!* We had made it a regular in our Saturday night viewing schedule. (It came on at about 6:30 P.M., C.S.T.) It was usually served up with Saturday Dinner. We sure wish it was around today. Of course it was also an example of 'Locally Produced' programming. That is a nearly extinct species.
NOTE: * We were then and still are of the opinion that having a position in the academic standings was not a be-all and end-all of a schooling and certainly not a reliable sole criterion for picking contestants for representing the School. AS it turned out, I don't think that they ever got a team on the old show anyway.
Hence, much like the BOZO THE CLOWN Show, it was neither a Network Show, nor was it Syndicated, like say SEA HUNT or HIGHWAY PATROL. It was Franchised. That is, the rights to using the shows name, identifying Logo, basic format, verified question packages, theme music and ground rules were all available to individual TV Stations. They would put their own IT'S ACADEMIC shows together; using their own local people to provide the talents as M.C., Announcer, local facilities and technical crew.
Being produced locally, the TV station would naturally choose its contesting high schools from the metropolitan area that it serves; also known as its "Viewing Area".
In our own case, our version of IT'S ACADEMIC was produced and broadcast by our local NBC TV Station, WMAQ, Channel 5 here in Chicago. It had a healthy run of seasons beginning in the early 1960's and lasting at least for the decade. (Its exact details being unknown to author at this time.) The Host/M.C. was Channel 5 staff announcer, Ed Grennon. Mr. Grennon was endowed with that look of a Professional Academian. Sandy colored hair and always wearing dark, horn-rimmed glasses and neat, business suit; all made for a fine specimen of an Emcee. His appearance was that of a "Road Show" Allen Ludden; who of course, was long time host of the G.E. COLLEGE BOWL.
The questions were tough enough. Anyone viewing, be they a prep student or an adult, would find them difficult enough to answer while casually viewing in the living room. We can only imagine the pressure on the high schoolers sitting on stage in the TV studio; having the additional pressure of playing against the clock! The show must have done well enough in its local ratings derby. It seemed to be talked about at school. At one point, there was supposed to be a team sent from our school to compete. That was St. Rita High School, located on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The team was picked by the School Administration via the academic ranking. As thee was not to be any sort of try-outs conducted, it was pretty much a cut and dried situation. Al those guys who made Honor Roll all the time were candidates! Hell man, we was robbed!* We had made it a regular in our Saturday night viewing schedule. (It came on at about 6:30 P.M., C.S.T.) It was usually served up with Saturday Dinner. We sure wish it was around today. Of course it was also an example of 'Locally Produced' programming. That is a nearly extinct species.
NOTE: * We were then and still are of the opinion that having a position in the academic standings was not a be-all and end-all of a schooling and certainly not a reliable sole criterion for picking contestants for representing the School. AS it turned out, I don't think that they ever got a team on the old show anyway.
