I think it was that same episode where Homer makes a comment and the host of the show says, in a stage whisper, “We try to play down the ‘tic tac toe’ reference.”
Actually, the host says that to contestant Disco Stu.
The thing I could never figure out about the original Hollywood Squares is why no one ever picked the middle square to start off the game. I mean, that’s how most people that bother to play tictactoe do it.
Also, why was Paul Lynde never the “secret square”?
And finally, are these two related in some way I don’t understand?
Chris W
I believe Homer appeared on “Springfield Squares” along with low-rent celebs like Bumblebee Man.
Paul Lynde was sometimes the Secret Square but presumably no more than one in every nine games. As to why people didn’t start off picking Paul, I don’t know although it might be related to the fact that missing the question would give the square to your opponent so losing the center square on the first question would put you at a huge disadvantage. They also may have been trying to pick the Secret Square and been under the same impression as you that Paul was rarely if ever it. What makes me slightly nuts is when the contestant makes their choice based on the STAR instead of on game strategy. Yes, we all find Rose Marie a treat, but if you pick her instead of George Gobel to block you’re going to LOSE.