Hollywood Squares is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show piloted on NBC in 1965 and the regular series debuted in 1966 on the same network. The board for the game is a 3 × 3 vertical stack of open-faced cubes, each occupied by a celebrity seated at a desk and facing the contestants. The stars are asked questions by the host and the contestants judge the truth of their answers to gain squares in the right pattern to win the game.
Title card for the original 1966–1981 version
Celebrating the start of its ninth year on the air in 1974, (L–R) are Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, host Peter Marshall and Cliff Arquette as Charley Weaver.
The 2000th show in 1974. Back row, L-R: Cliff Arquette as Charley Weaver, Rose Marie, John Davidson (who later hosted the 1986 revival of the show), George Gobel, Kent McCord, Peter Marshall, Vincent Price and Paul Lynde. Front row: Ruta Lee and Sandy Duncan.
Peter Marshall hosting Storybook Squares in 1969
A game show is a genre of broadcast viewing entertainment where contestants compete for rewards. The shows are typically directed by a host, who explains the rules of the game as well as commentating and narrating where necessary. The history of the game shows dates back to the late 1930s when both radio and television game shows were broadcast. The genre became popular in the United States in the 1950s, becoming a regular feature of daytime television.
United States Armed Forces participate in Wheel of Fortune with Pat Sajak.
1938 radio quiz show Whiz Kids on WHN Radio in New York
Note For Note, a New Zealand game show from around 1960
Tupla tai kuitti (1958–1988), a Finnish game show with show host Kirsti Rautiainen (left) and competitor Markku Kivekäs (right) in 1965.
