It's Academic
It's Academic is a
high school version of
quiz bowl, in the
Washington, D.C area, with shows in Central
Virginia, and
Baltimore, Maryland. It is also the longest continously running game show in history, according to the
Guinness Book of Records. The show has been on the air since
1961. The host, Mac McGarry, has held the job in Washington since the begining. The show features three local high school teams, of three players each, competing for
scholarship money. Over the years
Giant Food has been the sponsor, over $2,000,000 has been given out. The show's format is as follows:
- First round: Toss up. The questions are thematic. Questions are worth 10 points up or down.
- Second Round: Individual questions, directed at the teams. All questions are worth 20 points.
- Third Round: Visual round. Each of the questions has a coresponding image. All questions are worth 20 points up or down.
- Fourth Round: Eight individual questions. All questions are worth 20 points and a 25 point bonus is awarded for answering all of them correctly.
- Fifth Round: "Grab bag, free-for-all." The number of questions are limited only by the time left in the game. Questions are worth 20 points up or down, however, Every eighth question is worth 30 points up or down.
The schools have other tournaments which they compete in through out the year, however, none are as prestigous as the TV tournament. These tournaments are not affiliated with the TV show, and many times they use different formats. Most tournaments have a
round robin round, and then a
single elimination playoff.
The TV tournament is a single elimination tournament featuring 81 schools. The final round, also known as the "Super Bowl" is between the winners in Washington, Central Virginia, and Baltimore.
Notable figures who have competed on "It's Academic" have been Hillary Clinton, Charles Schumer, Angus King, Donald Graham, Bruce Cohen, and George Stephanopoulos. Sandra Bullock appeared on the show as a chearleader.
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