Many a television show in the early days made the transition from radio. Take, for example, Gunsmoke, The Jack Benny Program, Gang Busters, and......The GE College Bowl.
In 1959, General Electric decided to move the College Bowl to television. Initially, the series aired not on NBC, mind, but on CBS. Its initial host would later go on to greater fame hosting another quiz show for the same network------Password. Yep, Allen Ludden presided over the College Bowl for its first three years on TV. PhiloFarnsworth uploaded this clip from 1959.
After Ludden departed for Password, GE found a new MC in Robert Earle, who would host for the rest of the series' run, ending in 1970. One of the most famous games in the history of College Bowl took place in 1966, by which time, yes, the series had moved to NBC. Princeton University vs. Agnes Scott College became the stuff of legend. Hmmmmmmmm2 uploaded the episode.
Earle was not heard from much again, save for a failed pilot a few years later. Since 1970, the College Bowl has lived on in regional tournaments on various campuses, and the periodic radio or television specials, which have been hosted by game show icons such as Pat Sajak (Wheel Of Fortune) and the late Art Fleming (Jeopardy!). Time will tell if there is a need for College Bowl to return to television. After all, the perception a lot of television executives have of college life has changed in the last 43 years.........
Rating: A.
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