Hollywood Squares

One of these stars is sitting in the Secret Square, and the contestant who picks it first could win a prize package worth over $4,000! Which star is it?

All in....

And here's the Master of the Hollywood Squares..

Peter Marshall!

Clean copy of the 1980 theme (Disco theme) (1.38 MB, 2:01)

1980 opening music (500KB, :32)

Broadcast History

Host: Peter Marshall

Announcer: Kenny Williams

Airdates: October 17, 1966-June 20, 1980, NBC Daytime

June 12, 1968-September 13, 1968, NBC Primetime

November 1, 1971-September 1981, Syndicated Weekly/Daily

Origination: NBC Studio 3, Burbank (1966-1980)

Versailles Theatre, Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas (1980-1981)

Gameplay

\ Hollywood Squares was simple, and could pretty much be summed up by Peter Marshall's explanation of the rules:

"Object of the players is to get three stars in a row, either across, up and down, or diagnally. It's up to them to figure out if a star is giving a correct answer or just making them up, that's how they get the square."

The game was based on the kid's game "Tic Tac Toe." The woman always played as "Mrs. O" and the male was always "Mr. X." The winner of the coin toss went first and would choose a star. Peter would ask a question, sometimes multiple choice, true or false, and a few open ended. The celebrity would either give a guess, or or give a "bluff." The player would then agree or disagree. If they were correct, their symbol went on the board. If they guessed wrong, their opponents symbol would go on the square, UNLESS it meant a win. Also, sometimes before they'd give their regular answer, they'd give a joke answer, known as a "Zinger." At the bottom of the page is a list of funny zingers used on the show. If no Tic Tac Toe could be made, then a player could win by capturing 5 squares. The scoring varied by each version. On the NBC daytime version, games "straddled" and could be carried over to the next show. Best two out of three games won the match on that version ($200 per game). On the NBC primetime and syndicated versions, the games did not straddle. $250 was won for each game ($300 for the NBC primetime), and if the game could not be completed at the end, then the players won $50 for each symbol that they had on the board. Player with the most money won a bonus prize on the NBC primetime version, and a car on the syndicated version.

Secret Square

If a player chose the "Secret Square" which was a randomly chosen square, they then had a chance to win a prize package. The way to win it was the same as winning a square. If they answer incorrectly nobody wins the Secret Square. On the NBC daytime version, the second game of the day was the Secret Square game. On the NBC primetime version, the first two games were played as Secret Square games. Also on that version, the Secret Squares were MUCH bigger. One game was generally played for a trip around the world, the second for a car (if the first prize wasn't won, then the second would be played for BOTH prizes). The syndicated version originally had the first three games as Secret Square games, but later changed to first two with the addition of the bonus game. The Secret Square was shown to the home audience before each game and Peter would accompany that with the speil: "The stars are briefed before the show to help them instead of bluff, but they are hearing the actual question for the first time." The Secret Square question was usually in an envelope and had three choices for the answer.

Late in the run, a bonus game was added. A player picked a star and simply won whatever was in their envelope. Usually the top prize was $5000 cash.

The crew comes together on the last NBC episode of Hollywood Squares in 1980.

Regulars

Paul Lynde was the center square on the Hollywood Squares for most of it's run. Paul had very quick witted humor and provided many funny moments on the Squares. In his career, Paul is probably most famous, besides the Squares, for playing Uncle Arthur on the television series "Bewitched." Paul died of a heart attack in 1982 in Beverly Hills, but many other theories have come up about his death.

George Gobel appeared on the show many times, starting around the mid-'70s. George hosted his own show from 1954-1960, called "The George Gobel Show." George died in 1991.

Rose Marie was a regular on the Squares almost from the beginning. Rose is probably most famous for her role as Sally Rogers on "The Dick Van Dyke Show." Rose is still alive.

Zingers

Dennis Weaver, Debbie Reynolds, and Shelley Winters star in the movie "What's The Matter With Helen?" Who plays Helen?

CHARLEY WEAVER: Dennis Weaver - that's why they asked the question.

What are "dual-purpose cattle" good for that other cattle aren't?
PAUL LYNDE: They give milk... and cookies, but I don't recommend the cookies.

Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
CHARLEY WEAVER: His feet.

According to Robert Mitchum, one thing has ruined more actors than drinking. What?
CHARLEY WEAVER: Not drinking.

You're on your first visit to Japan, and you head right for the Kabuki. Why?
PAUL LYNDE: It was a long plane ride.

If you're going to make a parachute jump, you should be at least how high?
CHARLEY WEAVER: Three days of steady drinking should do it.

You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
DON KNOTTS: That's what's been keeping me awake.

Is there any such thing as an F cup in bra sizes?
PAUL LYNDE: Yes, it sleeps four.

True or false: Many people sleep better in their street clothes than they do in their pajamas.
PAUL LYNDE: Yes. We call them winos.

According to psychologists, when a child begins to get curious about sex, what is the one question he will most ask his mommy and daddy?
PAUL LYNDE: Where can I get some?

Your baby has a certain object which he loves to cling to. Should you try to break him of his habit?
JOAN RIVERS: Yes. It's daddy's turn.

There are two things a woman should expect from her husband. One is fidelity, what is the other?
PAUL LYNDE: Infidelity.

Was Snow White a brunette or a blonde?
PAUL LYNDE: Only Walt Disney knew for sure.

Paul, according to Masters and Johnson, what's the first thing most women do immediately after sex?
Paul Lynde: Wake up.

We all know that men have female hormones in their bodies...but does a woman have male hormones in her body?
PAUL LYNDE: Occasionally

You've heard of the phrase "A pig in a poke"...what's a "poke"?
PAUL LYNDE: It's when you're not really in love.

According to experts, the worst time for sex is right after...what?
PAUL LYNDE: Surgery.

According to experts, is it ever okay to use a vacuum cleaner on your dog?
PAUL LYNDE: I think it's better to walk him.

Paul, how many men are on a hockey team?
PAUL LYNDE: Oh, about half

True or false - a pea can last as long as 5,000 years.
George Gobel: Boy it sure seems that way sometimes.

According to Cosmo, if you meet a stranger at a party and you
think he's really attractive, is it all right to come out directly and
ask him if he's married?
Rose Marie: No, wait until morning.

Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.

What are "Do It", "I Can Help" and "Can't Get it."?
George Gobel: I don't know but it's come from the next apartment.

As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with
your hands while you are talking?
Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing older question,
Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget!

Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going
to get any during your first year?
Charley Weaver: Of course not; I'm too busy growing strawberries!

In bowling, what's a perfect score?
Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.

It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at
nudist camps. One is politics. What is the other?
Paul Lynde: Tape measures.

During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
Rose Marie: Unfortunately, Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.

Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
Marty Allen: Only after lights out.

According to Ann Landers, is their anything wrong with
getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army!

While visiting China, your tour guide starts shouting
"Poo! Poo! Poo!" What does that mean?
George Goebel: Cattle crossing.

It is the most abused and neglected part of your body - what is it?
Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused but it certainly isn't neglected!

Charley, what do you call a pig that weighs more than 150 pounds?
Charley Weaver: A divorc�e.

Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on
his head, what was he trying to do?
George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.

Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife
or your elephant?
Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?

When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car. The rest is up to him.

James Stewart did it over 20 years ago, when he was 41 years old.
Now he says it was "one of the best things I ever did." What was it?
Marty Allen: Rhonda Fleming.

Facts

-Peter Marshall was picked over Dan Rowan as host. Bert Parks originally hosted the pilot for CBS.

-Peter has also hosted "All-Star Blitz," "Yahtzee,", and the "Reel to Reel Picture Show." He was supposed to host "Third Degree" but was replaced at the last minute by Bert Convy. Peter was originally going to take Bert and Burt to court, but dropped after Bert Convy fell ill.

-Hollywood Squares was revived in 1983 as part of the Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour. Later, it was revived in 1986 with John Davidson as host and ran until 1989, and then from 1998-present with Tom Bergeron as host.

The John Davidson version of the Squares!

Back home to the Galaxy!