1969-’70 Press Releases
January 21, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" READIES SEASON PREMIERE
Beyond Our Control, the half-hour television revue produced by WJA-TV, The Junior Achievement Television Company, is in the final stages of preparation for its season premiere on Saturday, February 14. The weekly revue will be colorcast Saturdays at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16, the Notre Dame Station, this season.
This will be the ninth year WJA-TV has presented a weekly program on Channel 16, and 1970 will mark the third year the company has produced Beyond Our Control. the ambitious weekly revue of satire, music, experimental film and largely irreverent commentary has proven to be a unique concept in local television and has drawn national attention on several occasions, including a story in a current issue of a nationally-circulated camera magazine. Last season, the program presented parodies of national and local TV shows and commercials, offered a showcase for local musical talent, addressed itself to commentary on national issues such as pollution, and presented numerous experimental films, including the parables of "Skid" and "The Electric Rag."
Minor revisions in format--including the quickening of the program's pace--and several new regular features will mark the season premiere of the program when it returns in February. A weekly review of rock "classics," parodies of television connercials presented as "Our Favorite Things," and a weekly continuing serial are among the features planned for the program this season.
Beyond Our Control is written and produced by a twenty-two member Junior Achievement Company which works with Joe Dundon, Greg Giczi, Bill Siminki and Dave Williams, advisers from the staff of WNDU Television. A complete model Television Corporation, WJA-TV begins operation in late autumn, this year drawing its personnel from Riley, Jackson, Marion, Mishawaka, Clay, Lasalle and St. Joseph's High Schools. The students sell stock to raise operating capital, develop an idea for the program and then sell commercial advertising time toarea businessmen. the production company leases facilities and buys time from WNDU-TV to produce and telecast its program. At the conclusion of the program's thirteen week run, the company liquidates and divides any profit among stockholders. Last year, WJA-TV was named Service Company of the Year in the South Bend JA program.
Junior Achievement is a national organization dedicated to giving teen-agers in all fifty states a practical look at how business operates. Wm. Thomas Hamilton, Executive Vice President and General Manager of WNDU-TV is a member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement and sponsors the company's JA program to offer students practical broadcasting experience and a firsthand look at the American free enterprise system.
February 2, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" OPENS THIRD SEASON
Music, experimental film and satirical commentary will once again be the ingredients of Beyond Our Control, local television's original electronic underground produced by twenty area high school students. The show opens its third season Saturday, February 14 at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
For its season debut, Beyond Our Control has scheduled the following: a series filmed man-on-the-streetreactions to the program's return; the first in a regular series of humorous treatments of real (and simulated) "rock classics," this week featuring "Bruce and the Universal Joints," portrayed by Bud Wade, Tom Hojnacki, Bob Steele and Jim Jordan, performing "Bucket T;" a visit to "Miss Persnickety's Story House," featuring Karen Janowiak as Miss P., for the story of "The Enchanted Snowman;" Chapter One (and only) of a new serial, "Rex Noble: Cowpoke;" and the first in a series of weekly collections of commercial parodies, assembles under the title of "A Few of Our Favorite Things."
This will be the first of thirteen weekly programs produced by WJA-TV, the Junior Achievement Television Company sponsored by WNDU-TV.
March 5, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" DELVES INTO ITS PAST
Beyond Our Control, the weekly satirical revue produced by the Junior Achievement, trips down Memory Lane this week with a review of the first two seasons. The half-hour program will be presented Saturday, (March 7) at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
The program is being dedicated to Betti Reece, the current president of WJA-TV and the only survivor of all three seasons of Beyond Our Control.
The program, which will make use of color and black and white videotape as well as color film, will dip into the Beyond Our Control archives dating back to the show's original premiere in January, 1968. Among the segments highlighting the revue will be "Who's Your Favorite," the show's parody on local TV dance parties; "Last Kiss," a rock favorite from the past; an excerpt from "The Nearlywed Game," a parody of TV game shows; a highlight from "The Electric Rag," an experimental animated film; and the "Squash-a-Matic" commercial parody.
March 9, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" LOOKS AT TV TALK SHOWS
Television talk shows come under the scrutiny of Beyond Our Control, this week as the Junior Achievement satirical revue presents its fifth edition Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16."The Merv Carson Show" will present a wide variety of guests and a wider variety of commercials in its one-time-only presentation.
Also scheduled for the program this week are a testimonial banquet for the Fraternal Order of Wombats; Tom Hojnacki, Julie Carlin and a band of Indians performing "By a Waterfall;" an introductory offer from the "Microbe of the Month" Club; a return visit from the Beyond Our Control cretin track team for their Cross Country race; and Marcia Blodgett performing "You Can Never Go Home Anymore" on the program's traditional "Rock of Ages" segment.
Beyond Our Control is produced by WJA-TV, the Junior Achievement Television Company, in association with WNDU-TV.
March 18, 1970
WJA-TV SCHEDULES SIXTH EDITION
The sixth edition of Beyond Our Control, the weekly satirical revue produced by WJA-TV, the Junior Achievement Television Company, is scheduled for presentation Saturday, (March 21) at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
Among the items to be presented this week are a nostalgic glance back to the days of television's Mouseketeers; a miracle reducing plan; a rendition of "Down in the Boondocks" on the program's regular weekly "Rock of Ages" music segment; a testimonial banquet by the Fraternal Order of Wombats*; the problems of a young man about to propose marriage; and a return visit of the Beyond Our Control track team for the Cretin Cross Country Race.
Twenty-two area high school students produce Beyond Our Control in association with WNDU-TV, the Notre Dame Station. The program is now in its their season on Channel 16.
*Re-scheduled from an earlier program.
March 23, 1970
JA REVUE LOOKS AT COUNTRY MUSIC
The seventh edition of Beyond Our Control, the weekly satirical revue produced by high school students in the Junior Achievement Television Company, will turn its attention to country music shows on television when it presents "Midwestern Hayseed," Saturday, (March 28) at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
Among other topics to be covered on the program this week are another assortment of television commercial parodies; the opening salvo in a three-part series on pollution; a rendition of "I Get Around" on the program's usual "Rock of Ages" music segment; a look at "sensitivity" classes; and a commercial pitch for a new garden hose attachment, "Jet-Dribble."
Twenty-two high school students representing seven area high schools contribute their talents to Beyond Our Control, which is now in its third year of production on Channel 16.
April 10, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" RETURNS TO CHANNEL 16
Beyond Our Control, the satirical revue of comedy and music produced by the Junior Achievement Television Company, returns to the air Saturday, April 18, after a two-week hiatus for spring vacation. The half-hour program, produced by twenty-three area high school students is seen Saturday evenings at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
For the eighth edition of the program, Beyond Our Control will preview "The Adventures of Foul Man," starring Bob Soos as a super anti-hero; present the second in a series on local pollution, marking the national observance of "Earth Day" on April 22; satirize television commercials with pitches for a 1959 automobile and a whirlpool bath appliance; recall "Leader of the Pack," performed by Marcia Blodgett, in the shows weekly "Rock of Ages" segment; and present a nostalgic rendering of "Loving You Has Made Me bananas," performed by Tom Hojnacki.
Beyond Our Control is directed by Bill Siminski for WNDU-TV.
April 17, 1970
JA PRESENTS ANNUAL "UNDERGROUND MOVIE"
The ninth edition of Beyond Our Control, to be presented Saturday, April 25, will feature the program's annual Underground Movie Contest. The weekly revue of comedy and music is presented by WJA-TV, the Junior Achievement Television Company, and telecast Saturdays at 6:00 PM EST on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.
The highlight of this week's program is the world premiere of "Son of Flaming Critters" of "Rosemary's Marshmallows," an ultra-obscure, vaguely symbolic experimental film, starring Tom Hojnacki, Jim Skwarcan, Bud Wade and several hundred marshmallows. As in the case of last season's underground film presentation, viewers will be invited to submit their interpretations of the film to the program. The author of the best explanation will be invited to appear on the program to receive a special award.
Other highlights of this week's program include a three-part soap opera, a satirical look at clothing store commercials, a timely warning on the evils of drink, and a presentation of "Sidewalk Surfin'" on the show's weekly "Rock of Ages" segment.
Beyond Our Control is directed by Mark Heller for WNDU-TV.
May 18, 1970
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PRESENTS TWELFTH PROGRAM
WJA-TV, the Junior Achievement Television Company sponsored by WNDU-TV, will present the twelfth edition of Beyond Our Control, Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM EDT on WNDU-TV, Channel 16.The weekly satirical revue of comedy and music is produced by high school students in association with WNDU-TV.
This week's program is highlighted by the presentation of a typical campus musical, featuring a rendition of "Byrd, You're the Bird of Them All" by Tom Hojnacki. Kim Guidi, Bob Steele and Karen Janowiak are also featured in the parody of 1930's style musical. Also featured on the program this week are "Let's Make a Swap," a parody of a popular television game show, featuring Bob Soos as the genial emcee; a performance of "summertime, Summertime, Summertime" on the show's weekly "Rock of Ages" segment; and an encore performance of a silent movie serial, "The Danger of the Hazardous Peril," originally produced for the program last season. Tom Litteral, Julie Carlin and Jacque Kubley are featured in the film.
May 26, 1970
"BEYOND OUR CONTROL" WINDS UP SEASON
Beyond Our Control, the weekly satirical revue produced by the Junior Achievement Television Company, will present its swan song Saturday, May 30, at 6:00 PM EDT on WNDU-TV, Channel 16. The thirteenth and final edition of the program will review highlights of the past twelve weeks, as selected by a vote of members of the company.
Among the highlights of the program are the Al Hurt bear commercial featuring Bob Soos; a commercial parody for U.S. 30 Drag Church; a composite performance of four of the songs performed on the program's weekly "Rock of Ages" segment; a parody of local clothing store commercials featuring Bob Steele and Kim Guidi; a brief visit with a singing cricket featuring Bud Wade; an encore performance of "By a Waterfall," as sung by Tom Hojnacki with Julie Carlin and the Band of Indians; and a return visit from the show's popular anti-hero, Foul Man, starring Bob Soos.
Students from Jackson, St. Joseph's, Mishawaka, Marian, LaSalle, Riley and Clay High Schools comprise the membership of WJA-TV, the production company responsible for Beyond Our Control. The twenty-two students work in association with advisers from the staff of WNDU-TV to write, film and produce on videotape the weekly revue of comedy, satirical commentary and music. This was the third season for Beyond Our Control and the ninth season for WJA-TV. Dave Williams, Bill Simiski, Joe Dundon and Greg Giczi served as advisers this season.
