It’s Academic, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the the longest-running television quiz show in the world, will be bringing its production to the Montgomery Community Media studios in Rockville in early 2023.
Things are happening at @mymcmedia. Stay tuned… pic.twitter.com/P7j7pluHmZ
— Joe Yasharoff (@JYash) December 17, 2022
The historic high school quiz show started in 1961. Hillary Howard, now in her 12th season hosting the show, succeeded Mac McGarry who hosted the show for its first 50 years on the air.
From the beginning, It’s Academic taped its shows at NBC4 in Washington, D.C. until the pandemic hit in 2020. The show has been produced virtually since then.
One of the show’s executive producers, Susan Altman, whose mother Sophie Altman created the show, said “We were looking for a new home to produce our show in 2023 and we’re very thankful that MCM was so accommodating. We’re looking forward to our partnership.”
Philanthropist David Rubenstein is now one of the executive producers.
“Everyone at MCM is very excited that such an iconic local show is going to be taped in our studios,” said Joe Yasharoff, MCM’s Director of Content. “The show’s rich history speaks for itself but the most important part for us is that it showcases some of the best and brightest high school students from all around our region including many in Montgomery County. I’ve been watching this show for 40-some years now. It’s so cool that they’re coming to our place.”
Each show pits three teams, with three students each, from area public and private high schools, answering questions about a variety of subjects such as science, history and literature.
It’s Academic can be seen on WETA. It previously aired on NBC4 for 61 years. Eventually, the shows will be taped at WETA’s studios in Shirlington, Va.
(Photo courtesy: It’s Academic)
