mrb1980
"The Hollywood Squares" was certainly popular during its run from the 1960s to the early 1980s. The game included celebrities in a giant tic-tac-toe set, who would provide answers to questions on various subjects. Contestants would be required to guess whether the answers provided by the stars were correct or incorrect in order to win each square.It sure sounds like fun, except the shows were scripted, and the stars were provided information about questions before each episode. Did you ever wonder how Paul Lynde was able to give such quick, snappy, and funny answers right after the question was asked? No, he wasn't a mind-reader and he wasn't a genius; he was provided information on each question before the shows, as were the rest of the stars. I was a little kid when this game show premiered in the 1960s, and it seemed like a lot of fun back then. I marveled at how the celebrities were able to give such quick, funny responses to questions when it seemed like they had just heard the questions for the first time. It turns out the whole thing was choreographed and phony. People who like and believe this show are the same people who think pro wrestling is real. Turn the channel.
ShelbyTMItchell
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!
hfan77
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.
zensixties
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.
