Reviews & Ratings for
"The Hollywood Squares" More at IMDbPro »

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
The Best Comedy Game Show of All-Time, 12 September 2012

Author: hfan77 from St. Louis Park, MN

Six years after launching their first game show Video Village, Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley came up with a show that would eventually be the best comedy game show of all-time, Hollywood Squares.

The game was really simple since it was based on tic-tac-toe. But what made the show stand out was the humorous bluff answers from the many stars who sat in the nine boxes throughout the show's 15 year run. Among the many celebrities who appeared on the show were Wally Cox, Cliff Arquette (as his Charley Weaver character),Rose Marie, George Gobel and in the center square, Paul Lynde. His quips were very funny and rescued the show from a slow start into a very funny show.

Heatter-Quigley made the right choice in hiring Peter Marshall over Bert Parks as "The Master of the Hollywood Squares." Though he never hosted a game show he got better and better throughout the run and it paid off with a couple of Emmys.

I really enjoyed the show, even the nighttime syndicated version that aired once (later twice) a week. It was a true game show classic and X got the square.

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
A Original Fun Tic Tac Toe, 28 October 2007

Author: DKOSTY from United States

This is the original series. Peter Marshall, the straight man from the comedy team team of Noonan & Marshall is the host & master of the Squares. Paul Lynde most often was the center square. Charlie Weaver, Morey Amstersdam, Rose Marie, & many others made their tours during the shows 11 year run.

This was a 5 day a week staple on NBC at 11:30 AM from 1965 to 1976 when it went off, one of many victims of the one hour New Price is Right. While it ran, it got a lot of viewers. A lot of the older generation actors & actresses alternated with newer ones to fill the 9 squares every week.

If it were available now, there would be a lot of nostalgic moments for baby boomer's as Michael Landon, Jim Henson, George Goebel, & a host of others would appear on the program. The game itself was so harmless that at one point there was a children's version of the Squares running on Saturday morning NBC TV.

This was a very popular way to fritter away 30 minutes & would get you 30 minutes closer to Let's Make A Deal too.

1 out of 1 people found the following review useful:
Best game show, 28 October 2006

Author: ajlposh from United States

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I'm only 15 (I know you're thinking "Why does a 15-year-old care about this" but that's a long story), so I've only seen one episode, which was shown on the 50 Greatest game Shows of all time on GSN. But it is a great show. I am very supportive of getting this on GSN. Peter Marshall is one of my idols. Paul Lynde, Wally Cox, George Gobel, Charley Weaver, Rose Marie, and all deliver some hilarious zingers, like this one:

Peter Marshall: In what state was Lincoln born in? Paul Lynde: Like all of us, naked and screaming.

I think GSN should show this one. Don't get me wrong, the Tom Bergeron version isn't bad, but I think they should show this one.

2 out of 3 people found the following review useful:
The Rules of the Game, 10 October 1999
Author: Benjamin Allan Hallums Rowe (BHallums) from Marietta, GA, USA

The 2 contestants are stationed at "X" & "O" to play tic-tac-toe. 3 Squares Across, Up & Down or Diagonally or 5 Squares were possible. One Contestant picks a square by determined the correct answer or making one up will Agreed or Disagreed the answer. The 1st contestant get 3-5 squares with either "X" or "O" wins $200 and completes the 2 out of 3 match wins $400. The Champion completes 10 games (5 matches) wins $2000 plus a new car. In the 1st or 2nd game was "The Secret Square" and the contestant choose that square can win merchandise prizes from $2000 to $5000 and later it raised up greater than $10,000. Contestants will compete before losing the game. In 1976-1977, The Program presents "The Bonus Prize Squares" and all 9 stars has an envelop that anything such as an car or $5000 cash.

3 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Original 1960s Gameshow is Excellent/Post 60s worthless, 30 April 2002
Author: Adam Bernstein (mendips_1999@yahoo.com) from Northwest, USA

The Gameshow Channel is now running the original Hollywood Squares from the 60s. First thing that strikes you is the spontaneity, the rapour, the easy going fun fresh atmosphere, the 1960s feel of the show. As the show goes along you realize the contrast between the cleverness of the answers and the dimwittedness of today's gameshows. And of course the nostalgia value...it's now a classic. As a kid I watched the show from the early 70s on when the formula was getting dry and worn out, so see the 60s shows. Of course they're all worth it for Paul Lynde.

Marshall's Squares the Best!, 14 March 2013

Author: ShelbyTMItchell from Seymour Tennessee

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Peter Marshall's Squares is the best. As the original is the best one. As Marshall did the best straight man training as he came from the comedy group, Noonan and Marshall.

He plays it straight while the other celebs in the Tic Tac Toe squares play comedic to him. In particular straight man Paul Lynde. And Rose Marie, Morey Amsderdam, among the others.

The contestants have to agree to disagree on which celeb is telling the truth. As the contestants have to decide also whether the celeb is bluffing or using a comedic answer with a straight face.

Miss game shows like these. As there is not enough game shows on TV these days back in those days.

Circle does get the square!

THE Hollywood SQUARES (1966-1982), 29 September 2008

Author: Benhallums1 from Bristol, TN, United States

The Greatest Work of Masterpiece of A MERRILL HEATTER-BOB QUIGLEY PRODUCTION of "THE Hollywood SQUARES (1966)" those 16 Seasons on NBC-TV & Syndicated by RHODES PRODUCTIONS (Sony-MGM). The Contestants are the Man "Mr. X" & the Woman "Miss Circle (O)" played against each other to pick 1 of the 9 Stars on these Squares in a Big Tic-Tac-Toe Board. The Contestant pick 1 as "The Secret Square" will win a Big Prize Package started at $1000 and adding prize package value before winning it all. On January 5-9, 1976 "THE BONUS SQUARES" added to the show and revealed a riddle-like message that contains a merchandise prize and cash value ranged from $500 to $5000. On January 3-7, 1977 "THE WHOLE THING" where a champion wins up to $25,000 Cash & Prizes. Among all the Stars of the Past to Present are Rose Marie, Charley Weaver (1966-1974), Abby Dalton (1967-1970), Wally Cox (1967-1973), Morey Amsterdam (1967-1969), George Gobel (1974-1982) & Jonathan Winters (Temporary Replaced 1975-1982) & along with the part-timers are Jan Murray (1968-1973), Kaye Ballard (1968), Nanette Fabray (1969-1971), Vincent Price (1970-1976), Karen Valentine (1971-1977), John Davidson (1974), Roddy McDowall (1975), Charo (1975), Sandy Duncan (1975) & Joan Rivers (1976).

4 out of 10 people found the following review useful:
Debut Weekday 9 Squares (October 17-21, 1966), 16 September 1999
Author: Benjamin Allan Hallums Rowe (BHallums) from Springfield Gardens, NY, USA

KENNY WILLIAMS (Announcing): Ladies & Gentlemen, Today, One of these stars is sitting "The Secret Square" and the contestant who picks it first could win a prize package worth over $2000 and now which star is it?

(Orchestra performed with a drumroll and followed by the brass section blows before each celebrity's name) NICK ADAMS,

AGNES MOOREHEAD,

CHARLEY WEAVER,

PAMELA MASON,

WALLY COX,

ROSE MARIE,

MOREY AMSTERDAM,

ABBY DALTON...

or ERNEST BORGNINE, All in "THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES!" (Main Theme played and Applause)

KW: And now here's "The Master of 'THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES'"... PETER MARSHALL.

That's from the debut broadcast of "THE HOLLYWOOD SQUARES!"

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