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All of the original pictures, scripts, films and videotapes of "Beyond Our Control," the award-winning local TV show produced by high school students at WNDU-TV in South Bend, Indiana From 1967 to 1986, have found a home at Grass Roots Media, Inc. of South Bend-- thanks to owners Donnie and Andrea Rogers’s generous donation of space.

It wasn't such a beautiful day outside but it was quite a good day inside for BOC alumni gathered together in the Grass Roots Media building with Donnie and Andrea Rogers-- on Washington's Birthday-- to check out the little room dedicated to storing all things BOC. Yes, all of the videotapes, films, scripts, and pictures now have a home. And the Rogerses have an interesting history as well.

If BOC Voted for the Academy Awards . . .

It would mean a landslide win for "Chicago" as Best Picture. In a rare vote of unanimity, our AA (Alumni Association) would present the AA (Academy Award) to this critical and box office favorite.

Alumni were more divided in their choice for Best Director, however, splitting votes between Martin Scorsese for his "Gangs of New York," Roman Polanski for "The Pianist," and Stephen Daldry for "The Hours." None of this year's nominees have ever won the gold statuette. Yet, BOC would award first time film director (he previously helmed a TV movie of "Annie") Rob Marshall the Oscar for "Chicago," which coincides with the selection made by the Directors Guild of America. Scorsese fared very well among his peers this year, too, earning the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him by the DGA on March 1st.

Jack Nicholson would take home his third Best Actor Oscar (he also won once for Supporting Actor) this year for his subtle turn in "About Schmidt." He won the dramatic actor award from the Golden Globes on January 19th.

The dramatic actress winner of the Golden Globes would win her first Academy Award, for Best Actress. Nicole Kidman garnered the second highest vote count among alumni for not being afraid to play Virginia Woolf in "The Hours," with 80% agreement in this category.

Opinions were divergent for the Supporting Actor category. While Chris Cooper, John C. Reilly, and Christopher Walken received nods from our alumni, Paul Newman would eek out his second Oscar win for traveling down a "Road to Perdition."

Finally, the BOCTVAA Oscar Poll would give two awards for Supporting Actress this year. Julianne Moore would win for "The Hours" and share this honor with Catherine Zeta-Jones for "Chicago." Ties are an unlikely occurrence in the history of the Academy Awards. But that is how we would call it, and all that jazz.

3-10-2003

Scooby Dues Be Due

1/18/2003

ANCIENT TV SHOW DISCOVERED IN FOSSIL RECORD

CHICAGO, IL -- A new Website reproducing historic images, words, video clips and current online conversations from the members of the alumni association of the once top-rated local television variety show "Beyond Our Control," has been published today by the Beyond Our Control T.V. Alumni Association. From 1967 to 1986 high school students in South Bend, Indiana produced a half-hour sketch comedy television show in association with Junior Achievement sponsored by the local NBC affiliate, WNDU-TV, on the campus of the University of Notre Dame.

"We're ready to go," said Lee Lodyga, the president of the BOCTVAA, "the Web page brings together some of the most important original materials made by BOC's company members and advisors from 1967 to 1986."

The images shown on the page were selected from the vast video and still image library of the NATPE-award-winning show, Lodyga said. "We wanted to tell the story of BOC in a way that would appeal to people new to the organization as well as to alumni members deeply familiar with the work."

The words and pictures on the BOC Web page have historical significance too, explained Lodyga. "This material represents a significant part of television culture, in a local context. The humor has aged pretty well, and the production values hold a great deal of interest for anyone with curiosity about the development of television and media."

The TV show's video, photos and words can be viewed and participants can become part of the expanding mission of BOC, make use of the organization's people and resources, and join the organization as an associate member at www.beyondourcontrol.org. The Beyond Our Control T.V. Alumni Association is a worldwide organization of former writers, directors, actors and animators from the historic satiric show, having its offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, and South Bend, Indiana.

A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Just like the jump from black & white to color, film to videotape and the Studio to the JA Center (to the YMCA), we just keep moving on. And getting better! Welcome to the new Beyond Our Control site. Our seriously sleep-deprived Web Team has been working to create this new design which makes your trip down memory lane easier an more enjoyable. (Plus, come on - you know your brain isn't functioning as well as it did in high school. The easier, the better - right? Although, the more enjoyable bit is important too. But I digress...) So, thanks for stopping by. Welcome back or just plain welcome! Be sure to surf around, check out the new features, shop in the new stores and just plain have some fun.

Lee Lodyga, President, BOC Alumni Association