Quizmaster Mac McGarry '44 Reflects On 50 Years Of 'It's Academic' in interview with John Donvan '73

Mac McGarry '44 (top left) poses with student contestants on the set
of It's Academic in 1988. Photo courtesy of  It's Academic.

For five decades, quizmaster Mac McGarry '44 hosted the Washington, D.C.-based TV quiz show It's Academic. McGarry stepped down in November 2011, and officially passes the baton to the show's new host in January. In a January 19 interview with fellow Regis alum John Donvan '73 of NPR, McGarry discussed the show's evolution.

The conversation includes a brief exchange acknowledging that both men attended Regis. McGarry notes, "what a special pleasure to meet a fellow alumnus of one of America's greatest high schools, Regis... I'm only a few decades ahead of you, John." Donvan is quick to add, "It's true. We both attended Regis High School. And where I had the advantage was that in my time there was a show called "It's Academic," and I remember going to the taping, to the New York version when Regis competed. And I was a freshman, so I wasn't eligible for the team but our - we put some seniors on the team. Tragically, they did not win for me that day, but it was a great memory."

The full transcript of the interview can be read and heard using this link to the NPR website.