Sunday, November 1, 2009
Television Knowledge Bowl: Houston Mustangs vs. Kingsbury Falcons
Posted by Greg Akers on Sun, Nov 1, 2009 at 8:55 PM
Knowledge Bowl, Match 1: Houston Mustangs vs. Kingsbury Falcons. Aired October 31st, 2009.
Houston:
Sebastian (Captain), Senior
Daniel, Senior
Faith, Junior
Clayton, Senior
Alternate: Scott
Kingsbury:
Urica (Captain), Senior
Orlando, Junior
Audrey, Junior
Chawan, Junior
Alternate: Mary
Results:
Round One: Houston 170, Kingsbury 0
Round Two: Houston 160, Kingsbury 0
Round Three (Lightning Round): Houston: 80, Kingsbury 20
Final: Houston 410, Kingsbury 20
- Kingsbury High School
If you didn’t watch it, you might look at that score and think Houston dominated the game. You wouldn’t be wrong. But it’s worth noting that the Falcons seemed to have gotten shy after the first round. It’s one of the most underrated things about KB and, I presume, all TV game shows: the paralyzing fear and stage fright. I recall, before each of the three games I started back in 1993-94, waiting in the Channel 3 lobby for our turn on the stage, my overwhelming anxiety and how I had to excuse myself to the restroom. Too much information? Absolutely. I’ve never told anyone that before. But it’s wise to keep in mind that that’s the kind of stuff being experienced by the kids before and as the cameras roll. Respect.
The second round was a wash for Kingsbury. It's why there are so many lopsided victories in KB. Teams get overwhelmed and struggle to recover. But Kingsbury showed life again in the Lightning Round (“the fastest four minutes in television”) and delighted the crowd — and themselves — when they scored their first points. And Kingsbury junior Chawan had the answer of the game after a question about what MLGW is giving customers in six select zip codes in the future. “Outrageous bills?” Chawan answered. Awesome. It was ruled incorrect, thought you could make an argument that it should have been accepted.
Houston looked good. Faith rocked the house. Look out, Kyle Rote Jr. Region.
Of note in this new season was the inclusion of all-new bumper music. The jaunty music was almost carnival-esque. It will take me a while (if ever) to get used to it. I was a fan of the understated, bass-y tones of previous seasons.
Also noteworthy is the change in sponsors from last year. The University of Memphis, McDonald’s, First Tennessee, Le Bonheur, and the Assisi Foundation of Memphis all return and are joined by first-time sponsor Links. (I'll have to find out more about who they are.) Gone were two sponsors from last year: Dobbs Ford and Accredo Health.
Dr. Richard Ranta, Renaissance Man: After we get to know the kids, Jaggers and Knowledge Bowl judge Ranta hold brief palaver where Ranta tells about some other nonprofit/initiative/community effort he’s involved in. It’s quite funny, en masse, getting a handle on all of the things Ranta participates in. This week we learned how he’s on the Beale Street Note Committee. (Come to think about it, he may have talked about that one last season, too.)
Also, I’d like to point out that I have no idea who’s going to win these games, but there are a lot of people out there who will know the results in advance of each broadcast. Out of respect for us Knowledge Bowl enthusiasts and purists, please keep your spoilers to yourself. Next week’s match has been taped already. Two more matches will be taped each week until the first round has buzzed-in its last. Especially when we get to the later reaches of the season, when there’s a two-month lag between the championship game taping and broadcast, please keep your victory celebrations to yourself.
So much to say about contemporary KB in general, but I better pace myself. One match down, 30 to go. Tune in next week. Saturday, November 7th, 9 a.m. Bartlett Panthers vs. West Memphis Christian Black Knights.
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Either the questions weren't that hard back in my day or I'm less knowledgeable than I was in high school. Sadly, I think I know the answer to that. Houston looks strong.
Greg, are you keeping track of each correct (and incorrect) response in the toss-up category, as per the individual that contributed it? If not, is there a staff sabermetrician that can help you with that...? Inquiring minds want to know the Value Over Replacement Dork (VORD) for all contestants.
I think it would be appropriate to add an MVP for each match. Sounds like Faith would take the prize this time. If this is, in part, about recognizing this under-recognized group, that would be a nice touch. Nice coverage! I forgot to record this one, but I set my DVR for the rest of the season.
Great suggestions. Will definitely add a Player of the Game-type honor for each match. And, then, how about an MVP for the whole tournament? Oh, there will probably be all kinds of end-of-years awards.
I can't decide about individual statistics. What's ya'lls opinion? I'm for it on a geek level and not sure about it on a defend-the-kids-at-all-costs level. Would it just point out that most teams have one or two dominant players and the rest ring in rarely if at all? On the other hand, sports has stats for everything, and I do want Knowledge Bowl to get athletics-like props.
What about a betting line, particularly for second round matches and deeper into the tournament...? Point spreads should be easier to generate by then.
Mostly, I want a betting line for the possibility of a point-shaving scandal, but if Jimmy the Greek came up out of his grave to give his picks as part of a pre-game show with Irv Cross and Phyllis George, we'll know KB has finally arrived. Respect!
Performance-enhancing drugs are sure to follow, as reaction times to the buzzer destroy previous norms and teams shatter the envelope of quadruple-digit scoring totals and that demon that lives in the unknown beyond 999. Recruiting abuses will be uncovered. The sporting public will scorn Knowledge Bowl, turning their favor instead to untainted competition of four-square and tetherball. KB veterans will talk of their ancient campaigns in the good old days, fueled only by Mountain Dew and anxiety about bad on-camera hair, back when it was still a game...
Until then, though, let's enjoy the hell out of this. I sure am.
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