The Game Show Forum
The Game Show Forum => The Big Board => Topic started by: Matt Ottinger on September 23, 2008, 03:10:19 PM
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We start taping new games tonight and they won't air until late October, but I thought some of you might want to see what a quiz bowl set looks like in a small-town, midwestern PBS station.
I took some other shots I'll upload later, but here's one from the website (http://\"http://wkar.org/quizbusters/\").
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For being a public-access show, that's a nifty looking set. Hell, that's a nifty set for a decent syndie show, as well.
I watch a couple every season...can't wait for them to start back up.
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Nice pub photo. You look handsomer than Pat O'Brien.
For some reason, I really like that "0" on the scoreboard.
What's the highest score any team has ever amassed on Quizbusters?
And has that announcer been with you since the beginning?
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Columns! You rate columns now!
Are the screens behind the teams projectable, or is that just a Duratrans?
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Don't make me call Lin Bolen...
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I'm assuming that's the same studio space? And has anything changed with relation to cameras and other stage position? Again, from the picture I assume it hasn't, but I am curious. :)
-Jason
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[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'197984\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:49 PM\']
Don't make me call Lin Bolen...
[/quote]
Please don't. I don't want to see Matt with a perm and in a leisure suit.
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My goodness. That's definitely very 21st century'd and it looks great. Now, is the same peppy theme song still in place or do we get drama music? And will the columns change colors throughout the game?
/Will be in-studio supporting my former team on October 21.
//Glances over at the transparent "Chad" nameplate on his desk.
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I like the new look. As you know, I'm always available to fill in as host. My wardrobe must be from Barney's New York, however.
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'197987\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 02:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'197984\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:49 PM\']
Don't make me call Lin Bolen...
[/quote]
Please don't. I don't want to see Matt with a perm and in a leisure suit.
[/quote]
I would rather see Matt with a shaved head...
you know, "Ottinger 3:16 says I just QuizBusted your ass," right?
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You changed the font, the colors, the set..I hate it all!
I'm never watching again and I'll never go to another taping!!!one!!eleventy
/The sky is falling, right?
//knows what the 'F' really stands for in LFaT
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[quote name=\'JayDLewis\' post=\'198000\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 04:31 PM\']
You changed the font, the colors, the set..I hate it all!
I'm never watching again and I'll never go to another taping!!!one!!eleventy
/The sky is falling, right?
[/quote]
I applaud you, sir.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'197977\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:10 PM\']
We start taping new games tonight and they won't air until late October, but I thought some of you might want to see what a quiz bowl set looks like in a small-town, midwestern PBS station.
I took some other shots I'll upload later, but here's one from the website (http://\"http://wkar.org/quizbusters/\").
[/quote]
Wow! That is one classy set. It doesn't scream academia, just first rate television.
What was the greatest set that screamed academia? Probably "Win Ben Stein's Money", with all apologies for the set designers for "College Bowl" and "Jeopardy!" Tournaments.
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'197978\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 12:22 PM\']
For being a public-access show...
[/quote]
That's the kind of mistake that causes Matt to tear his hair out -- but don't worry, you're obviously not the first to make it.
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Uh Oh, the tie is off!!!
Matt means business now...And don't mess with his!!!
:-)
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Congrats on 20 Seasons Matt...only about 30 to go before you catch up with Mac McGarry of "It's Academic" in Washington DC (and that's assuming he doesn't keep going past this upcoming season...he's been at it since 1961)
And that set looks great-kudos to the set designers/builders! Is it a full refresh for the anniversary season- new graphics package, etc?
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[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'197987\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'197984\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:49 PM\']
Don't make me call Lin Bolen...
[/quote]
Please don't. I don't want to see Matt with a perm and in a leisure suit.
[/quote]
I'm sorry. (http://\"http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek1im2.jpg\")
And even sorrier. (http://\"http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek2nt0.jpg\")
Seriously, though, the set looks great!
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[quote name=\'bscripps\' post=\'198046\' date=\'Sep 24 2008, 02:01 AM\']
And even sorrier. (http://\"http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek2nt0.jpg\")
[/quote]
Matt Ottinger...game show host by day, porno star by night!
/Bow-chicka-bow-wow
//Oh, and you win some Internets for that picture
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[quote name=\'bscripps\' post=\'198046\' date=\'Sep 24 2008, 01:01 AM\']
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'197987\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:59 PM\']
[quote name=\'urbanpreppie05\' post=\'197984\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:49 PM\']
Don't make me call Lin Bolen...
[/quote]
Please don't. I don't want to see Matt with a perm and in a leisure suit.
[/quote]
I'm sorry. (http://\"http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek1im2.jpg\")
And even sorrier. (http://\"http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek2nt0.jpg\")
[/quote]
Approved. (http://\"http://www.teaser.fr/~ffrancq/ImagesSNL/connery.jpg\")
(I'd sure like to see someone put my idea to fruition...just to see...)
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[quote name=\'bscripps\' post=\'198046\' date=\'Sep 24 2008, 02:01 AM\']
I'm sorry. (http://\"http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek1im2.jpg\")
And even sorrier. (http://\"http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek2nt0.jpg\")
[/quote]
Someone owes me a new keyboard!
/There needs to be a warning on some of these pictures not to be drinking liquids at the time!
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The dopey bald guy will now take your questions.
[quote name=\'Don Howard\' post=\'197980\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:35 PM\']What's the highest score any team has ever amassed on Quizbusters?
And has that announcer been with you since the beginning?[/quote]
720, set way back near the beginning. A few teams have managed scores in the 600s since then.
And yes, I'm pretty sure than Dan Bayer (who does much of the vocal work for WKAR TV and radio) has been with our show from the beginning. All his stuff is prerecorded.
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'197981\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:40 PM\']Are the screens behind the teams projectable, or is that just a Duratrans?[/quote]
Neither. It's just a white elastic fabric similar to spandex, stretched tightly on the frame. The "QuizBusters" logo is a stencil on a studio light, and lights from below create the colors.
[quote name=\'JasonA1\' post=\'197986\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:57 PM\']I'm assuming that's the same studio space? And has anything changed with relation to cameras and other stage position? Again, from the picture I assume it hasn't, but I am curious. :)[/quote]
Same studio, but everything has been rotated about 120 degrees. The original set had solid flats behind the players. The fabric of the new background is transparent enough to show the studio door behind it, so we had to move everything around. One of the unmanned cameras is in a slightly different position and the audience is no longer visible on any camera, but besides that, everything is pretty much the same.
[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'197989\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 04:05 PM\']Now, is the same peppy theme song still in place or do we get drama music? And will the columns change colors throughout the game?[/quote]
Completely new peppy theme song, nothing solemn or dramatic, I assure you. Hints of the old theme, but an entirely new mix.
And yes, one of my favorite parts of the new set is that the columns and background change colors depending on the round. (Much like the way the DOND set changes colors for bank offers and other special
moments.)
[quote name=\'weaklink75\' post=\'198044\' date=\'Sep 24 2008, 12:25 AM\']And that set looks great-kudos to the set designers/builders! Is it a full refresh for the anniversary season- new graphics package, etc?[/quote]
Yep, everything on camera is new except me. The desks and my podium are the same ones, just spiffed up. There's now a flat-panel TV on my podium which shows the video clue and other information. All of the sound effects, all the way down to the sounds the buzzers make, have been changed.
Ken Merley, our director, is the one who came up with the set design and did most of the work to construct it. Certainly by our standards it was an expensive endeavor. Still, I betcha any national operation would be blown away at how little money we spent to achieve the look.
First three shows went off virtually without a hitch. Certainly without anything needing us to stop. Can't wait for you guys to see a finished show!
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That new set looks insane. I might have to see it in person.
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[quote name=\'bscripps\' post=\'198046\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 11:01 PM\']I'm sorry. (http://\"http://img210.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek1im2.jpg\")
And even sorrier. (http://\"http://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=trebek2nt0.jpg\")[/quote]Mere mortals wouldn't look good in a brillo-perm. But then, we're not dealing with a mortal.
[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'198079\' date=\'Sep 24 2008, 11:25 AM\']And yes, one of my favorite parts of the new set is that the columns and background change colors depending on the round. (Much like the way the DOND set changes colors for bank offers and other special
moments.)[/quote]Hey, Cletus! Come quick! The set just turned orange, it's time for a Pop Quiz!
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Quizbusters...now with 16.7 million colors!
BTW I see one of this year's teams is the Waverly Warriors. Is Joe Namath their advisor?
(obscure 70s TV reference, ask your parents)
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Nice looking set. If I lived in the area, I'd tried to attend a taping. BTW, caught your appearance on Jeopardy, Matt. You made Ken Jennings sweat a little - at least you went down swinging!!
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Just watched the first show online (they're uploaded ahead of time usually) and it looks really good.
On a non-aesthetic note, the Quizbusters tournament should be more interesting this year because the field doesn't seem to have a nationally competitive team for the first time in several years. Between Hartland at the beginning of the decade, Okemos the next two years, and then East Lansing these last three years there has always been one steamroller team that was the obvious favorite to win (excepting the year where Hartland and Okemos both had national-caliber teams and played Quizbusters' most exciting match). The level of parity that I'm pretty sure exists in the field right now should make for an interesting season.
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[quote name=\'Dolemite3303\' post=\'198169\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 01:06 PM\']
Just watched the first show online (they're uploaded ahead of time usually) and it looks really good.
[/quote]
Can we have a link? I couldn't find it.
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[quote name=\'Kevin Prather\' post=\'198170\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:32 PM\']Can we have a link? I couldn't find it.[/quote]You've got to put the production code in the standard link. I don't know if Matt necessarily wants it posted publicly in advance, but that's the do-it-yourself formula.
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[quote name=\'Dolemite3303\' post=\'198169\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:06 PM\']The level of parity that I'm pretty sure exists in the field right now should make for an interesting season.[/quote]
Which is more than I can say for the 10th season of Hometown High Q, which has pretty much turned into "Who Wants to Beat Shadyside Academy?"
/Series 9 final was interesting though
//Any other quiz bowls that are just straight-up single-elimination?
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'198171\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:37 PM\']
[quote name=\'Kevin Prather\' post=\'198170\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:32 PM\']Can we have a link? I couldn't find it.[/quote]You've got to put the production code in the standard link. I don't know if Matt necessarily wants it posted publicly in advance, but that's the do-it-yourself formula.[/quote]
I've got no problem if somebody (other than me) were to post the link here. We're actually pretty proud of game one. It featured two teams that could handle our material, which isn't always the case in first round games.
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Well, in that case: http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm (http://\"http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm\")
I agree - a very well-played game on both accounts. The picture isn't as clear as I'd prefer, but you can still definitely tell that's a very well done and, if I dare say, hot set. The music is good too. I enjoy the hum throughout the Pop Quiz, but, in my opinion, the Lightning Round cue isn't exciting as it was before. The school bell is a nice touch, though. =)
All in all, I give my "props" to you and your team. Great work. I'll be happy to see it soon.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'198178\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 05:16 PM\']
I enjoy the hum throughout the Pop Quiz, but, in my opinion, the Lightning Round cue isn't exciting as it was before. The school bell is a nice touch, though. =)[/quote]
You picked two more of my favorite things. Against my wishes, they've turned down the hum in the studio. In rehearsals, I could hear it (so could the players) and I thought it added a lot to the live game. And the school bell to end the game is perfect.
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[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'198178\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 02:16 PM\']
Well, in that case: http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm (http://\"http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm\")[/quote]
Are they only available in RealMedia format? Matt, I could swear there were some up in Flash if I was willing to wait to watch them on the website. True?
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A very good game. One very interesting exchange...
Question: Starting with DIN-, the two-word name for the canned beef stew product packaged by the Hormel company.
Response: Dingleberry.
The rest of the game was outstanding though.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'198179\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 05:22 PM\'] In rehearsals, I could hear it (so could the players) and I thought it added a lot to the live game.[/quote]I definitely see your point but I can understand theirs too. For some of the students, it's distracting enough having cameras in front of them, trying to focus on you, their signaling device and every word they know beginning with "Fat", let alone with an added dramatic background noise.
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Clearly what's needed is some kind of 20th anniversary reunion game.
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Personally, I can't believe that a Matt Ottinger vehicle doesn't prominently feature an exciting home version, possibly available as your gift with an n dollar pledge to Michigan Public Television.
/or perhaps the official QuizBusters 20th Anniversary Quiz Book?
//A $30 pledge gets you a copy autographed by Matt Ottinger.
///A $40 pledge gets you the book without the autograph.
////Please don't hurt me.
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I love it. Fast paced and lots of content.
[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'198180\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 05:28 PM\']
[quote name=\'chad1m\' post=\'198178\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 02:16 PM\']
Well, in that case: http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm (http://\"http://red-cedar.wkar.msu.edu/ramgen/Archive/qb/qb2001.rm\")[/quote]
Are they only available in RealMedia format? Matt, I could swear there were some up in Flash if I was willing to wait to watch them on the website. True?
[/quote]Have you tried Media Player Classic (http://\"http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/\")? It plays those pesky Real files without the bloat of RealPlayer.
/think I got the right link
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'198190\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 06:03 PM\']
Have you tried Media Player Classic (http://\"http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/\")? It plays those pesky Real files without the bloat of RealPlayer.
/think I got the right link
[/quote]
I believe you'd need to install Real Alternative (http://\"http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm\") before getting MPC.
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[quote name=\'tpirfan28\' post=\'198190\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 03:03 PM\']
Have you tried Media Player Classic (http://\"http://sourceforge.net/projects/guliverkli/\")? It plays those pesky Real files without the bloat of RealPlayer.[/quote]
I was thinking about Real Alternative (http://\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_Alternative\"), but rogue codecs worry me. Yours is a better idea; I don't think about it because I think the interface is ugly as hell so I rarely use it. Anyhow, it's worth looking at again. Good catch.
EDIT: Tried it. "Can't render the file." I'm guessing because the original link is a stream and not the actual file.
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[quote name=\'jalman\' post=\'198198\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 03:54 PM\']
I believe you'd need to install Real Alternative (http://\"http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm\") before getting MPC.[/quote]
You may be right. I thought VLC played 'em, too, but apparently I'm wrong. (And VLC is even uglier than MPC.)
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Plays on my Real Alternative + Media Player Classic just fine.
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[quote name=\'WhammyPower\' post=\'198206\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:47 PM\']
Plays on my Real Alternative + Media Player Classic just fine.
[/quote]
Well, there you go. And since Real Alternative makes me squeamish, I guess I'm outta luck.
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[quote name=\'clemon79\' post=\'198203\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 07:36 PM\']You may be right. I thought VLC played 'em, too, but apparently I'm wrong. (And VLC is even uglier than MPC.)[/quote]
VLC just updated and the UI I believe is trying to look more user friendly, but I don't think it's working.
I was able to get audio only from VLC, and Zoom Player gives me error messages, so I guess I'm SOL too.
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Good show, watched it this morning over breakfast. Engaging material. The sounds are cool, main theme perhaps a bit too...spy-movie esque? I don't know how to explain it. I see there's still a tiny bit of growing pains with the new set and things, with the traditional "zoom in on Matt" shot for the follow ups absent in the first half. I assume they didn't want to miss the flatscreen in action.
Maybe this would change when I see it on an actual TV, but I noticed the hard camera focusing on Matt was nicely hidden in the darkness. Also, what specifically cues the lights? I wasn't paying too much attention to them for consistency - I was just curious what phases them beyond the obvious round changes. They seemed to change from toss-up to bonus, if I wasn't mistaken.
The effect in your open with the winding helix (for lack of a better term) is seemingly a popular choice on Final Cut. It's used on the college show I host, and I saw it in a NASCAR promo on FOX.
-Jason
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Matt, I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of the people responsible for maintaining the Quizbusters archive files. I know shows from older seasons are regularly taken offline but I'm wondering what happens to them after that. The actual .rm files are relatively small and could easily be stored somewhere and I'd hate to think that several seasons' worth of shows were just outright deleted when the new seasons came along.
Worst case scenario I have to imagine the older shows still exist on actual tape and could be transferred to a digital format, but that'd probably be too much of a hassle for anyone to want to do. I just think it'd be cool to be able to see entire shows dating back to even the late 80s and see how much the sets, questions, and teams have evolved over the years. If you could point me in the direction of someone who works with the website or archiving I would greatly appreciate it. It seems like quite a treasure trove of historical televised quizbowl and I know a lot of people who would be interested in sifting through it all.
I think my current email account is listed on here if you'd prefer to contact me that way.
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[quote name=\'Matt Ottinger\' post=\'197977\' date=\'Sep 23 2008, 03:10 PM\']
We start taping new games tonight and they won't air until late October, but I thought some of you might want to see what a quiz bowl set looks like in a small-town, midwestern PBS station.
I took some other shots I'll upload later, but here's one from the website (http://\"http://wkar.org/quizbusters/\").
[/quote]
Looks better(way better) than the Jeopardy Sushi bar of 1996!
Of course, it wouldn't take much. Might even put WWTBAM to shame, actually.
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[quote name=\'rwalker\' post=\'198556\' date=\'Sep 30 2008, 06:26 PM\']Looks better(way better) than the Jeopardy Sushi bar of 1996![/quote]
Like anytime TTD90 is brought up, do people think it's fashionable around here to bash the 1996 J! set?
/I kinda liked the 1996 J! set myself
//Not saying TTD90 was good or anything...
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[quote name=\'Dolemite3303\' post=\'198169\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:06 PM\']
The level of parity that I'm pretty sure exists in the field right now should make for an interesting season.
[/quote]
I may have spoken too soon here. Kurtis left behind some pretty talented and fast players at East Lansing and they may be early favorites for the unprecedented four-peat. I'm hoping my alma mater, who did pretty well in their first game, can grab the championship this year though.
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[quote name=\'Dolemite3303\' post=\'199334\' date=\'Oct 9 2008, 05:31 PM\'][quote name=\'Dolemite3303\' post=\'198169\' date=\'Sep 25 2008, 04:06 PM\']The level of parity that I'm pretty sure exists in the field right now should make for an interesting season.[/quote]I may have spoken too soon here. Kurtis left behind some pretty talented and fast players at East Lansing and they may be early favorites for the unprecedented four-peat. I'm hoping my alma mater, who did pretty well in their first game, can grab the championship this year though.[/quote]
Not that I'm supposed to comment on such things (and of course you're not "officially" supposed to be watching the episodes yet!), but I think you were right the first time. We haven't even seen half of this year's teams so far, and I've already noted four schools that could easily take the championship this year.
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Just a reminder that new episodes will be premiering in the mid-Michigan area this weekend. To go with the new set, the website's design (http://\"http://wkar.org/quizbusters/index.php\") has been renovated. Among the features: Clicking a team's link will show each team lineup for that school since season seventeen. [Hint: Click Kearsley. ;)]