Génies en herbe

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Génies en herbe is the primary francophone high school quiz competition in Canada and around the French-speaking world. It is not affiliated with Reach for the Top, the major anglophone format in Canada.

Radio-Canada years

Génies en herbe began in the 1973 season on Radio-Canada (francophone CBC). Originating in Quebec, it expanded to other provinces (even Alberta) by the late 1980s. In the early 1990's, the televised games were hosted by Martin Gélinas.

The series ended its TV run in 1997. A YouTube clip from that season ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptLtsv3_oS0 ) shows players doing something like dodgeball to earn points.

Collège Saint-Charles-Garnier appears to have been the most successful team of the televised era, winning 7 championships (and another one in post-television league play).

League play

League play began in 1988 and continued after the demise of the televised version. There is an active adult circuit over the summers in Quebec.

International versions

Génies en herbe spread to several countries starting in the 1980s. International competitions between national champions occurred occasionally. The format was most popular in Belgium but it also spread to many countries in Africa. Today, there are a number of countries that have TV shows and local academic competitions named for and derived from Génies en herbe, some of which have stopped but many of which continue.

"Génies en herbe" also appears to be used to refer to non-quizbowl but similar knowledge-recalling competitions in West Africa, including one international one with a section similar to 30-20-10 bonuses.

Some countries that used Génies en herbe:

  • Canada
  • Belgium
  • Benin: Competitions continue as recently as 2019 among schools throughout Benin. See TV coverage of a recent competition here.
  • Côte d'Ivoire: Various revivals of Génies en herbe have been seen through the 1990s and as recently as 2018. See these videos of matches.
  • France
  • Senegal: Génies en herbe continued to be active and televised in Senegal periodically as recently as 2017. See various videos of matches.
  • Togo
  • Zaire
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