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IMDbPro

The General Electric College Bowl

  • TV Series
  • 1959–1970
  • TV-G
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
50
YOUR RATING
The General Electric College Bowl (1959)
FamilyGame Show

Two teams each representing a college or university and composed of four students answered questions rooted in the liberal arts in a battle for scholarship money and prestige.Two teams each representing a college or university and composed of four students answered questions rooted in the liberal arts in a battle for scholarship money and prestige.Two teams each representing a college or university and composed of four students answered questions rooted in the liberal arts in a battle for scholarship money and prestige.

  • Stars
    • Robert Earle
    • Allen Ludden
    • John Bellairs
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.3/10
    50
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Robert Earle
      • Allen Ludden
      • John Bellairs
    • 3User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Episodes57

    Browse episodes
    1 season

    Photos

    Top cast4

    Edit
    Robert Earle
    • Self - Host…
    • 1962–1970
    Allen Ludden
    Allen Ludden
    • Self - Host
    • 1959–1962
    John Bellairs
    • Self
    • 1959
    Mel Brandt
    • Announcer
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews3

    8.350
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    Featured reviews

    10redryan64

    To Game Shows, it's Superbowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, The Triple Crown,Wimbeldon, Mr. Olympia, The Masters, The Grand Prix, Mt. Everest etc.,.............................

    AS WE WENT surfing the Net tonight, finding our course to the IMDb.com site; astonishingly, we looked up the G.E. COLLEGE BOWL and found it still in a virginal state with regard to reviews. Certainly someone must have thought about such a popular series and rather "high Brow" game show.

    BUT ALAS, IT was so! No one had bothered to stop by and say a few kind words about the show. So we're gonna rectify this sichee-ashun right here and now!

    GAME SHOWS COME and go in the highly competitive world of "Big Time" Television. They come in all categories, varying levels of competition and with greatly divergent themes; ranging from the ridiculous (LET'S MAKE A DEAL, YOU'RE IN THE PICTURE*) to the sublime(CONCENTRATION, JEOPARDY).

    THERE HAVE BEEN just about every type and level in between; featuring a whole sh*t house full of Masters of Ceremony, whose careers are sustained by their ability to generate their longevity by going to the M.C. positions in one game show after another. We are all familiar with their names. We all are familiar with the likes of Bill Cullen, Art James, Gene Rayburn, Chuck Wollery, etc.

    PERSONALLY, WE HAVE always been partial to JEOPARDY, having been addicted to it in both incarnations; those being, the first series of 1964-75 (Art Fleming) and the second run of 1984-Present (Alex Trebek). Much in the same manner as so many loyal followers, we consider JEOPARDY to be the Cadillac of the Game Show Genre.

    ALL THAT BEING said, we must announce that our "Rolls Royce" candidate is the now nearly all but forgotten, GENERAL ELECTRIC COLLEGE BOWL (1959-1970**).

    THE HIGH LEVEL OF proficiency in every subject, coupled with the ability to have a lightning-fast brain trigger was the hallmark of the game. In it the two (or was it three?) competing Colleges would send their team of three best student-players to the competition to match their academic skills against the competition; with points being awarded as they answer questions correctly. The old 'first one to buzz-in would get a shot at the question.

    IN ITS ORIGINAL run, the G.E.COLLEGE BOWL had at least a portion of its time slot on early Sunday evening; where it seemed to have its greatest exposure. We recall that it was a regular on our Televiewing, right around supper-time. This was a habit that was widespread in our barrio; as our comparing of notes with the other kids Monday morning substantiated.

    CHOOSING THE PROPER Emcee for a "high brow" program as this is a most important factor; for a format and appropriate set could be wasted without the right guy in the Moderator's slot. Just imagine COLLEGE BOWL with all other things being equal; except having 'Gunther Toody', himself, Joe E. Ross asking the Qusetions! "Ooh, Ohh!"

    WE DO REMEMBER that COLLEGE BOWL was being broadcast as a Network Radio Show in the late 1970's; which begs the question: "Why the hell ain't it on TV in some revival form today?

    NOTE: * That was the short (only one show) Comedy-Game Show hosted by "the Great One", Jackie Gleason. In his own words, "....It was the BIGGEST BOMB!!!!" After apologizing for it on week two, Mr. Gleason shifted gears and continued the run as a one on one (mainly) talk show, and he did it quite handily, we might add.

    NOTE ** The year 1981 saw a brief, syndicated revival of COLLEGE BOWL, with our favourite "Egg Head", Dick Cavett, as the Moderator.

    There was also a brief series, THE COLLEGE BOWL on ABC in 1950; which was a combination Sitcom & Variety. It starred Chico Marx and featured his Band, the Ravellis. Among others, it also showcased young stars Mel Torme and Andy Wiliams. (Schultz and I both remember seeing an episode.It had a comedy sketch with Chico's TV Wife getting her finger stuck while dialing a telephone!)
    10peter-ruggles

    Wonderful experience

    I was a member of the SDSC College Bowl team in 1964 as we flew back to NYC and were treated to dinner at Trader Vic's and a nice Hotel. Sunday was all business as I tried to find an optometrist to fix my broken glasses...nobody open on Sunday. What you saw on the show is just what we experienced; of course we got our tails kicked by Queens College, 300 to 215. Our best genius choked and the rest of us sorta did too. We had one expert on European Lit; another on American Lit, a third on Poly Sci/History and I was the expert on everything else; i.e., the 'Junk Man.'

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    • Connections
      Featured in Diner (1982)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 4, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • College Bowl
    • Filming locations
      • CBS Studio 59, New York City, New York, USA(1961-1963)
    • Production companies
      • Cleary-Moses-Reid Productions
      • CBS
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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