Talk:Hollywood Squares

1986 & 1998 Theme Songs
There is no offical name to those songs. "It's Hip To Be Square" is part of the lyrics to a promo for the show back in the mid-to-late 1980s. The 1998 version is registered only as "New Hollywood Squares Theme", as per this page. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.202.214.28 (talk) 04:35, 28 May 2008 (UTC)

Celebrity panelists
Is a listing of "other notable celebbrity panelists" really necessary? Practically everyone who's ever sniffed fame has been on this show. Adding people to the list who don't have a wikipedia entry is especially ridiculous, but other than a handful of semi-regulars, I may just clip the whole thing entirely. Lambertman 20:46, 31 January 2006 (UTC)

Tic Tac Dough?
I've never seen the original 50's version of Tic Tac Dough, but I've seen the 70's reairing, and it seems like Hollywood Squares in some ways is based at least a bit on the format. Two players, answering trivia questions for tic-tac-toe squares - like Tic Tac Dough meets Match Game... I was just wondering if there's any connection between Hollywood Squares and the original TTD in the form of inspiration or anything like that TheHYPO 16:53, 2 August 2006 (UTC)

"For the win"
Participants on the show often used to the phrase "for the win" when picking a square that could seal their victory. This phrase has recently become a popular Internet slang term, usually abbreviated as "ftw". Did Hollywood Squares originate this phrase or does it date back further? Pimlottc 15:49, 11 September 2006 (UTC)

Grand Slam
Anybody recall the name of the guy on Bergeron's version that went 5 shows without a loss? Trekphiler 05:14, 21 October 2006 (UTC)

Hollywood Squares 1986 on GSN
Is Hollywood Squares with John Davidson coming to Game Show Network soon? or not?

It says just yet, so I don't know if it is or not.

--Nextbarker 05:04, 12 February 2007 (UTC) nextbarker

Just Yet
WHat does JUST YET mean, are they getting rights to it? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.228.70.72 (talk) 03:21, 1 March 2007 (UTC).

The 1986-89 rights belong to MGM, I believe. So, it's up to their jurisdiction. And if they don't have it, CBS does. 71.111.211.21 (talk) 16:24, 7 December 2008 (UTC)

Dark Shadows/HS
I coudla sworn that Peter said in his book that nearly 3500 episodes were discovered, basically the entire series intact. Am I wrong? 68.55.126.133 00:27, 1 April 2007 (UTC)
 * It's unclear who is correct. I tend to lean towards Peter's side, myself, but his theory would mean that every episode from 1970-on, daytime and syndicated, would exist. We'll most likely never know the full story...FamicomJL 01:30, 29 August 2007 (UTC)

The H-Q library
I'm confused. I thought that the leasing rights to the Heatter Quigley libraries by CBS expired years ago and reverted back to MGM. I know Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Distribution co-owns the 1998 Hollywood Squares format. King Shadeed 0:02, 9 January 2009 (UTC)

Is this still being made?
This is out of production, right? Why exactly did it get dropped? Did 'Millionaire' kill it? --Ragemanchoo82 (talk) 00:31, 4 May 2009 (UTC)

Final airdate of Bergeron version
Does anyone know what the airdate was of the final first-run Bergeron episode from 2004? And in that episode, was there any acknowledgement of it being the series finale?Blozier2006 (talk) 23:38, 19 August 2010 (UTC)Bryce L.

Panel game
Hollywood Squares is a panel game. I added this fact to the article and cited five reliable sources:. This was reverted by another user who argued, "it is not a panel show IT IS A game show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!":.

While it's obviously true that Hollywood Squares is a game show, as are all panel games by definition, the specific type of game show that it is is a panel game, according to The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and The Associated Press, among the other sources cited. The argument that Hollywood Squares is not a panel game because it is a game show is analogous to the argument that Jeopardy! is not a quiz show because it is a game show, or that Hollywood Squares is not a game show because it is a TV show.

I believe that "panel game" is the more specific and descriptive category to place Hollywood Squares in, which in no way detracts from the fact that like all panel games it is a game show. I also believe that describing the specific genre that Hollywood Squares is in would lead to a better understanding of Hollywood Squares' prominent place in the storied genre of panel games.

Is there agreement to make the change? 76.105.176.44 (talk) 22:27, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
 * Support proposal. Darth Sjones23 (talk - contributions) 22:54, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
 * Changed vote to Oppose because the gameplay is between two contestants and is technically not a panel game, in which it takes place with mebmers of the panel. Darth Sjones23 (talk - contributions) 23:47, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
 * Please see my reply below. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 00:03, 19 May 2011 (UTC)


 * Oppose. The gameplay in Squares is between the two contestants; the celebrities, while an important part of the game, are not the ones playing the game; in a panel game, the gameplay is among the members of the panel.--Gridlock Joe (talk) 23:12, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
 * The celebrity panel is playing the game, coming up with the answers, and providing the comedic entertainment, just not for the money, as celebrities aren't given money on panel games or game shows generally. From the earliest radio days of panel games, it would be the listeners participating at home who would get the money or prizes, not the celebrity panelists. To reiterate, there is significant expert opinion by contemporary writers on the topic of television that Hollywood Squares is indeed a panel game. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 00:03, 19 May 2011 (UTC)


 * Oppose For the same as reasons as above Shows like "Hollywood Squares" and "Password" and "Celebrity Sweepstakes" and "Pyramid" are not Panel Games do your homework frist your just causeing for your self Digifan23 00:20, 19 May 2011 (UTC) User:Digifan23
 * Thank you for joining the discussion. You are of course the person with the exclamation points I quoted above. I did my homework and came up with The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Times Syndicate, The Associated Press and United Press International, which all asserted that Hollywood Squares is a panel game/panel show, and which are all reliable sources by Wikipedia's standards. I am waiting for any reliable source to support the opposing view. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 00:39, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

"Later years saw several successes in the format, with Match Game; Hollywood Squares; The Gong Show; Win, Lose or Draw; Celebrity Sweepstakes, Password and Pyramid primarily running in the daytime and airing in their greatest numbers during the '70s and '80s."
 * Truthfully.... This is indeed considered not just a game show, put a panel game show. A panel game show is a radio or television game show in which a panel of celebrities participates. Hollywood Squares is listed in the panel game article, stating that most games like that are humorous while others like Face the Music are more serious. And take a look at this from that same article:

You can keep opposing all you want, but this is a panel game without a doubt. -MegastarLV (talk) May 2011
 * I'll play devil's advocate with myself and point out that Wikipedia, by its own standards, isn't a reliable source, since it can be edited by anyone, and indeed, much of the panel game article was edited by me. However, the major news organizations I cited certainly are reliable and there are as of yet no sources for the opposing view. Indeed, this strict definition of a panel game that has been proposed above would eliminate most all of the newer variations of the panel game where the panel facilitates the game and allows contestants (who the viewer at home can better relate to and connect with) to get the points and prizes, such as latest American panel game, The Marriage Ref, which like Hollywood Squares has been described by multiple reliable sources of its time ([][][][][]) as a panel game/panel show, even though the panel is really more of an entertaining advisory body competing for nothing more than an agreeing view from the other panelists, the host or the audience, while the spouses are the ones getting the "win." 76.105.176.44 (talk) 01:09, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * I've now cited sources for the paragraph you (MegastarLV) quoted. I especially like AP television writer Cynthia Lowry placing Match Game, a game virtually identical to Hollywood Squares in the way guests and the celebrity panel interact, directly into the tradition of prototypical panel games like What's My Line?: "Skillful chefs of television cooked up a panel show called 'What's My Line?' more than a decade ago. ... Now still another variation of the good old recipe has been launched, 'The Match Game.'" 76.105.176.44 (talk) 02:53, 19 May 2011 (UTC)


 * Oppose. Simply featuring more than one or two celebrities not specifically partnered to a contestant does not make this a panel game. The celebrities are not working together as a panel to play the game. They are all playing individually when called upon.  Ѕōŧŧōľäċqǔä  (talk) 02:04, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * I'm noticing a pattern among those who are opposing based on their own definitions of panel games: They aren't citing any sources, while more than 10 reliable sources have now been linked to in support. If one side brings all of these citations that directly state that Hollywood Squares is a panel game, shouldn't the opposition need more than personal opinion to challenge these television writers for major newspapers and news wires who they are contradicting? 76.105.176.44 (talk) 02:53, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * I would also note that your definition excludes classic panel games like To Tell the Truth. Panelists aren't partnered with any of the three contestants, and they are only quizzing the contestants when called on. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 02:56, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * The celebrities on To Tell The Truth are a panel working together toward a common goal: determine who is lying and who is telling the truth. They're even referred to as "a panel" on the show. Celebrities on Hollywood Squares don't comprise a panel. They aren't working together toward a common goal.  Ѕōŧŧōľäċqǔä  (talk) 03:04, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * Again, you're not quoting reliable sources when you contradict professional television writers with your own definition. If, say, I agreed with you and wanted to change the panel game article to reflect your definition, what would I cite? Wikipedia user Ѕōŧŧōľäċqǔä? And how would I defend that not only do reliable sources directly contradict this new definition regarding Hollywood Squares, but they also directly contradict it regarding Match Game and The Marriage Ref, specifically saying they are each panel games? Television evolves, and television writers have accepted that as new elements are added to panel games to keep them interesting, the category of "panel games" has broadened to include them. If there is considerable professional opinion to contradict Variety, LA Times, NY Times, AP, UPI, and even the producers of the shows themselves, all of which have been cited, let's see who these TV professionals or professional TV writers are and what they have to say. Wikipedia works on verifiable, reliable information. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 03:23, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * In fact here is Peter Marshall himself, original host of Hollywood Squares, referring to the celebrities as "the panel": "I have nothing to do with the selection of the stars who play the game. I'm grateful for that. When friends ask to be part of the panel I don't have to hurt anyone's feelings." (, next to last paragraph.) 76.105.176.44 (talk) 04:48, 19 May 2011 (UTC)


 * Support. It's a game. There's a panel involved. A ball game doesn't necessarily feature either balls competing against each other (as seems to be required by one opposer) or balls working together for a common goal (as required by another). The Chambers Dictionary includes in its definition of 'panel' "a group of people chosen for some purpose, such as to... be the guessers in radio and television guessing games (panel games)". Grant (talk) 12:34, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * The correct answer is that "some sources describe it as a panel game". Most, it seems, do not. That leaves one question: does including the view of these few sources constitute undue weight? I have no opinion on this at this time. Guy (Help!) 19:15, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * There are actually hundreds of news sources that refer to a panel show, panel game, panel or panelists in connection with Hollywood Squares in the Google News archives, including a quote directly from Peter Marshall. I just chose five cites (which I already thought was overkill) from the most authoritative publishers that most specifically called Hollywood Squares a panel show/panel game. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 20:11, 19 May 2011 (UTC)


 * Possible support contingent on pinning down a verifiably correct definition of just what a "panel game" is. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 19:30, 19 May 2011 (UTC)
 * I believe that if there is industry and media consensus that it's a panel game, it's a panel game, because they are the ones who do the actual classifications of shows anyway. Most definitions of "reality show" can't clearly distinguish where the lines between a reality show and a documentary or game show are, where the formats merge, etc., so we can look to the producers and the media to see whether a program is described as a reality show or not. They are our reliable sources. 76.105.176.44 (talk) 20:11, 19 May 2011 (UTC)

Should The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour be regarded as a separate show or a revival of the original?
An editor has added The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour to the list of "related" programs, meaning it's not a revival of the original. However, the article currently treats it as a second run of the original show and includes the MGHSH statistics as part of the HS data. Which way should we go? JTRH (talk) 15:38, 12 July 2011 (UTC)

Requested move

 * The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section. 

The result of the move request was: no consensus to move.  MBisanz  talk 02:20, 7 October 2012 (UTC)

Hollywood Squares → The Hollywood Squares – The actual name of the show includes the word "The" at the beginning of the name. Check the listing at IMDB and note the photo included in the infobox on the page—it says "The Hollywood Squares", not "Hollywod Squares". Once the page is moved, I will update all references to the game name inside the article.&mdash;D'Ranged 1 talk 02:24, 23 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Interesting point. It seems to be mostly called "Hollywood Squares" in popular references, but if you check a few youtubes, plain as day both the sign and the announcer, and also Peter Marshall, call it "THE Hollywood Squares". ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 03:49, 23 August 2012 (UTC)


 * Oppose - IMDB and Youtube are not reliable sources. Instead, news sources may determine whether "The" is used or omitted. "The Hollywood Squares" has been used in the first incarnation, but other incarnations omitted "The" in later years. WP:THE makes "The" optional, regardless of "officiality" (see WP:official titles). --George Ho (talk) 04:03, 23 August 2012 (UTC)
 * So some versions used "The" and some didn't? That makes things nice and complicated. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 04:08, 23 August 2012 (UTC)
 * My copy of Total Television, by Alex McNeil, Fourth Edition, 1996, has it listed under "The Hollywood Squares" and has no indication they ever dropped "The" from the title. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 04:14, 23 August 2012 (UTC)
 * 1996 was before the Bergeron version, which was "Hollywood Squares" while the Marshall show was "The Hollywood Squares" and Davidson's show was "The New Hollywood Squares." Yes, nice and complicated. JTRH (talk) 07:48, 23 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Oppose per WP:COMMON. I have never heard the title stated with the definite article. meshach (talk) 05:46, 24 August 2012 (UTC)
 * Google Image [hollywood squares] and you'll see plenty of examples with "The", e.g. frames from the old TV intro, a picture of the original "board game" version, etc. It seems that the "The" was gradually dropped over time. ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 12:20, 24 August 2012 (UTC)


 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

Inaccessible reference
Reference #2 "To Tell the Truth, the Price is Right" is linking into a public library system that requires a membership. Is there perhaps a source that's open? 208.98.236.1 (talk) 18:56, 20 May 2015 (UTC)

Surviving Peter Marshall episodes
Are the only (reasonable quality) surviving Peter Marshall episodes the 100 or so that were shown on GSN? Or are the 1979 shows rebroadcast in 1981 still in existence, too?Arnold Rothstein1921 (talk) 16:00, 30 April 2016 (UTC)

USA Rerun
Which Episode of Hollywood Squares reaired on October 30, 1990?

I Know it was a Season 2 January-March 1988 Episode. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2601:580:4301:6000:8856:E3F5:3D8A:FD0A (talk) 14:34, 12 August 2016 (UTC)

Infobox image change
What happened to the classic title card, this version says nothing about the show, Hollywood Squares (TV series) titlecard, was there a discussion and consensus to change to the current one? If so please provide a link. The new file was uploaded seven days ago. I for one think the classic opening card is far better and should be replaced. uploded and with out discussion placed it the article, I reverted once, with an edit summary of "Classic card is far better (IMO). Consensus can be sought on the talk page". Just wanting to give a chance for others to chime in. - FlightTime  ( open channel ) 16:55, 15 October 2022 (UTC)

Kinda like Saturday Night Live, University Challenge, Match Game, CBS This Morning, Newsnight, Doctor Who, You Bet Your Life, etc. I feel that it is best to use the most recent logo. I have other things to do today so i am not going to completely be active in this discussion. Thanks for expressing your concern. Helloiamauser (talk) 17:00, 15 October 2022 (UTC)