# What you like/don't like about Hollywood Squares **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 16, 1999, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817 "1999-12-16T23:59:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 1999, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/1 "1999-12-16T23:59:00Z")
This game show seems to be quite popular since it returned to the air with a new host and some new regulars, including Whoopi Goldberg and Bruce Vilanch (sp?) But there are, at least as I see it, some irritatring things about \*Hollywood Squares:[/] \*Whoopi Goldberg’s constant interrupting of Bergeron or other stars. \*Gilbert Gottfried’s (unwitting?) attempt to be like the guy with closed eyes on _Third Rock from the Sun._ \*The lack of continuity that existed when Peter Marshall was the host–i.e., contestants being on the show more than one day. (Each segment of the new show is timed, and at the end the squares in the unfinished game are toted up.) \*The absence of “Dicker & Dicker of Beverly Hills” from the plugs announced before the Secret Sqaure game. Am I right? Do other Dopers who watch \*Hollywood Squares \* find these things irritating, or is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![Gr8Kat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gr8kat/32/18668_2.png) [@Gr8Kat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gr8Kat)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 1999, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/2 "1999-12-17T01:15:00Z")
Gilbert Gottfried was doing the squinting schtick long before 3rd Rock came along. I don’t care for the new Hollywood Squares, but I can’t quite put my finger on the reason. There’s just an over-all sense of lameness to it. I liked it in the 1980’s when I was a kid and John Davidson (or Davison, I can’t remember how to spell it) hosted, Shadoe Stevens announced, and Joan Rivers and Jim J. Bullock were regulars. In retrospect, that seems pretty lame, too. I guess I just outgrew it 🙂 (I’m too young to remember the original incarnation, but I wish they’d show it on the Game Show Network. I always liked Paul Lynde on Bewitched, I’d like to see him in the center square.) * * * “I hope life isn’t a big joke, because I don’t get it,” Jack Handy [The Kat House](http://members.aol.com/gr8kat1/KatGen/home.htm) [Join the FSH Webring](http://members.aol.com/gr8kat1/KatGen/fshwebring.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 1999, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/3 "1999-12-17T02:01:00Z")
My biggest gripe is that the celebrities made little attempt to fool the contestant, especially Whoopi if she likes the contestant. I remember the original show. Paul Lynde was in the center square, Wally Cox in the upper left, Rose Marie top center, and Charlie Weaver (aka Arquette, grandpa of Rosanna). I’d like to see Paul back in the center square, too, but I don’t think a rotting corpse would be much fun 🙂 As for the old shows, very few still exist. The owners ERASED THEM!!! They didn’t anyone would want to watch an old game show!!! I get a big kick out of seeing the old eps of The Price Is Right, especially when Johnny Olsen (R.I.P.) would enthusiastically yell out: A NEW CAR!!! and it would be a Vega or Pinto. I remember one showcase featured a Cessna airplane! ---
**Author:** ![timmar68](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/97f17d/32.png) [@timmar68](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/timmar68)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 1999, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/4 "1999-12-17T03:38:00Z")
Anyone remember the old Hollywodd Squares when Paul Lynde was asked “Why do bikers wear leather?” (or something like that)? He said “Because chiffon wrinkles so much!”. * * * MaryAnn No, stupid, it’s a boat! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 1999, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/5 "1999-12-17T22:55:00Z")
## To Gr8Kat: The celebrity players you mentioned are, with the exception of Rose Marie, sadly no longer with us. ☹ Shadoe Stevens is still the announcer; the late 80s revivil had John Davi_d_son as host. I liked these questions and answers: Q. If you sleep in the nude, are you on your way to becoming an uninhibited person? GEORGE GOBEL: I _was_ on my way, until a cop woke me up. Q. Is Wayne Newton’s name on any of Hollywood’s sidewalks? PAUL LYNDE: Yes, but the phone number’s not right. Q. If your daughter has developed a healthy attitude toward boys, how far along in school is she? JOAN RIVERS: Sitting in sewing class knitting booties! Q. What did Vincent Price give as his occupation on his marriage-license application? PAUL LYNDE: Old scary person. Q. What is the first trauma a human male experiences? JAN MURRAY: Is this male Jewish? “If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 1999, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/6 "1999-12-17T23:26:00Z")
The show! The people in it! ---
**Author:** ![stmc62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@stmc62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stmc62)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 1999, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/7 "1999-12-18T06:50:00Z")
Personally, I like the new Hollywood Squares. I have not been ble to watch it since I moved to Cleveland because they show the Drew Carey show three times a day!! Speaking of the Game Show network, does anyone remember a game show that (I think) was called Treasure Hunt? Money was hidden in a box and contestants who were mainly rejects from other game shows tried to find it. There was a guy with a fake English accent who guaranteed the money was “really” hidden. About the only thing I remember about it was how incredibly stupid the contestants were. * * * Libby’s Mom Sandra ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 1999, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/8 "1999-12-18T16:19:00Z")
It seems to me some of the questions are specificially tailored for each star sometimes. Also, Whoopie makes some sex joke about 70% of the time, some white-race joke 20% of the time and the rest of the time she gives a real answer. ---
**Author:** ![JBENZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b77776/32.png) [@JBENZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JBENZ)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 1999, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/9 "1999-12-19T06:37:00Z")
Squares hasn’t been the same since Charlie Weaver died. I never did find out if the plural was Donkey Fazoos or Donkeys Fazoo. * * * JB Lex Non Favet Delicatorum Votis ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 1999, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/10 "1999-12-20T17:20:00Z")
To stmc62: You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Remember the game show in the 70s, hosted by the recently departed Gene Rayburn, _Match Game '73?_ Somehow I think they deliberately canvassed the country to find the ditziest, most clueless, most obtuse potential contestants for that show… ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 1999, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/11 "1999-12-20T17:26:00Z")
I like game shows and am so starstruck that it isn’t even funny, but I **hate** Hollywood Squares. The following reasons will illustrate. 1. Groaners. I tense up waiting for their stupid answer before the real one. 2. Stupid Celebrities. It’s so embarassing when one is really bad… just makes me uncomfortable. 3. The Host. He just sounds like an idiot when he announces the celebrity… Oooh, it’s so exciting! Caroline Rhea again! Wheeeee! 4. The Format. With the contestants looking up toward the celebrities like they’re gods or something. Gimme a break. ---
**Author:** ![ReservoirDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8edcca/32.png) [@ReservoirDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ReservoirDog)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 1999, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/12 "1999-12-20T17:45:00Z")
I always thought that celebs only ended up on game shows when there careers were in the sewer. You flip on something like Hollywood Squares, and you see one of your favorite actors on there, and you just about want to cry for them. Except Whoopi, of course, who has openly stated that she will do anything that some schlep will pay her to do. I actually respect her for that, in a weird way. You can tell she really means it, too, when you watch any movie in which she has appeared in the last decade, like Eddie (crappy basketball movie), or Theodore Rex (really crappy dinosaur movie). Anybody remember Charles Nelson Reilly? As far as I can remember, he did nothing except appear on game shows back in the day… ---
**Author:** ![SSgtBaloo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@SSgtBaloo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSgtBaloo)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 1999, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/13 "1999-12-21T05:02:00Z")
Charles Nelson Reilly was also the wizard in “Lidsville”, a Sid and Marty Krofft children’s show in the 70s. [Checks Internet Movie Database filmography for [Charles Nelson Reilly](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Reilly,+Charles+Nelson).] Hmmm… apparently he was in lots of movies & TV shows. Few of them were memorable, but at least he was earning a living. –Baloo * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days -W.C. Fields [http://members.tripod.com/~Bob\_Baloo/index.htm](http://members.tripod.com/~Bob_Baloo/index.htm) ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2000, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/14 "2000-02-16T00:34:00Z")
I have heard only one really funny question and answer on _Hollywood Squares_ recently: Q. In what way are prairie dogs like domestic dogs? GILBERT GOTTFRIED: They both taste like chicken! 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 😃 * * * “If you drive an automobile, please drive carefully–because I walk in my sleep.”–Victor Borge ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2000, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-you-like-dont-like-about-hollywood-squares/13817/15 "2000-02-16T01:29:00Z")
The new Hollywood Squares seems awfully lame. The questions seem (duh) too easy and the celebrities don’t have quite the , I don’t know, “snap” of the previous incarnation of the show. Back in the olden days the celebs were wittier, you would look forward to the answers. Especially Paul Lynde, he was so, so hilarious. My favorite: Can you stuff a goose with prumes, Paul? Yes, but for Gods sake don’t let him fly!