They are the....

And here's your host....

John Davidson!

Broadcast History

Airdates: January 15, 1986-September 8, 1989 ("The New Hollywood Squares" during first season)

Host: John Davidson

Announcer: Shadoe Stevens, Richard Stevens

Substitute Host: Jim J. Bullock, Alf, Shadoe Stevens

Music: Stormy Sacks

Origination: NBC Studios, Burbank (1986), ABC Television Center, Los Angeles (1987), Fox Television Center, Los Angeles (1987-1988), Universal Studios, Hollywood (1989)

Main Game

The Squares returned in 1986, with a new host, John Davidson and basically the same gameplay.

John explained it this way:

"The object of the show is to win Tic Tac Toe. Three squares across, down or diagonally, or to acquire as many Squares they can." As before also, it was up to them figure out if the celebrity was giving the correct answer, or an incorrect one. In season one, every game was worth $500 until time ran out. When time ran out, each Square was worth $50. In season two and beyond, the first two games were worth $500, with each additional worth $1000. When time ran out, $100 was awarded for each Square. Also, a 5 Square win could still win a game if no Tic Tac Toe was possible. Game 2 was always the "Secret Square" game, which usually had a trip as a bonus prize. The player with the most money went to the bonus round.

Bonus Round

In the bonus round, John Davidson showed the player a crystal bowl, which had 5 keys in it. The player picked a key, and then would pick one of five cars. The player would then take the key they picked, and hoped it would start that car. If they won, they retired. If they lost, that car would be eliminated, and the player would try their key the next day (if they won) to one of the four cars. Later in the run, the player picked one of the 9 squares, which all had keys, to fit one of the 5 cars.

Facts

-Joan Rivers was the Center Square for most of the run. Also, Jim J. Bullock was a regular, as was announcer Shadoe Stevens, who frequently occupied a Square, as well as announcer.

-The New Hollywood Squares was one of the first game shows to go on the road, with trips to Hollywood, FL and New York City.

-John Davidson was a semi-regular on the original Hollywood Squares

 

Back home to the Galaxy!

The newest version of the Squares, hosted by Tom Bergeron!