Farrago article (University of Melbourne student magazine), May 2001
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Retrospectives
It's a Knockout
by Andrew Gray
In my experience, mentioning It's a Knockout, the wacky television game-show of the 1980's, elicits one of two responses. The first is horror. The other adoration and excitement. Either way, It's a Knockout has emerged as a considerable part of the now-fashionable 80's kitsch. The show, which was based on the European production 'Jeux sans Frontières' (Games Without Frontiers), involved ordinary citizens participating in ridiculous and messy physical 'games'. The competing teams represented their town and state of origin in an effort to bring home the ultimate prize: It's a Knockout glory! The show also raised money for various charities.
Over 100 episodes were produced between 1985 and 1987, including Celebrity It's a Knockout, where television personalities such as Greg Evans copped well-deserved pies-in-faces. The show was hosted by the rotund Billy J. Smith and the high-pitched Fiona MacDonald (the lesser-known sister of Jackie, of Hey Hey It's Saturday fame). Several celebrity referees officiated, the most memorable being Ricky May. Ricky gained such popularity through his bubbly singing and famous 'BOOGIE!' line, that his death shortly afterwards was mourned by many Australians.
The show rated well, with a major attraction being the opportunity to 'barrack' for your home state. Victoria (coloured blue), New South Wales (red), South Australia (green) and Queensland (yellow) were represented. The events were many and varied. Large amounts of water, pontoons and suds were a common feature, and the events were often physically and technically demanding. Each team could nominate one event on which they would 'play their joker'. The joker doubled any points gained from that event. Points were awarded for first and second place.
The show was bright, colourful and much less threatening than the next-generation Gladiators. It was good clean family fun. The show was axed in 1987 due to escalating production costs and complaints of sound and light pollution from neighbours of the stadium.
The fun of It's a Knockout lives on through the website The It's a Knockout Web. This site is a place where fans from around the world can hook up and find out more about It's a Knockout. It has also started a push for It's a Knockout to make a return to television.
Visit The It's a Knockout Web at www.oocities.org/its_a_knockout
* Comments from The It's a Knockout Web:
I'm famous!
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