Hollywood Squares (home game)

"Hollywood Squares" is the classic home game version based on the TV version of the same name and just like the TV show, two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win money and prizes. There has been 5 versions of the board game starting with Watkins-Strathmore in 1967 and ending with Parker Brothers in 1999.

Watkins-Strathmore Era (1967-1968)

Watkins-Strathmore made the first two editions of the NBC version starting in 1967. Each edition would contain four decks of question cards, with 45 question cards in each deck (180 total questions), five plastic X's and five plastic O's, play-money (20 $100 bills) and a large hard-plastic game board that fits over a cardboard box.

The Rules of The Game

A deck of cards is dealt out and five questions in each of the nine squares. On your turn, your opponent answers the question in the square you select, and you agree or disagree with that answer to earn the square. (Neither of you will know the correct answer beforehand.) A card with a star on it would be the Secret Square and it would be worth $100 extra. The game is best two-out-of-three at $200 a piece. The instructions even said that this game can play with the TV show on the air as interactive play.

"Celebrities" from this game"
* None as players were ask to write names on the gameboard.

Ideal Era (1974)

Ideal issued a version of the game in 1974 with a picture of host Peter Marshall on the box; this was the first of the adaptations to featured humorous gag names for the celebrities. This game was more true to the TV show than the earlier version (without money and "Secret Square" rules); which contains a cardboard game board with two plastic stands, five each of plastic X's and O's, a deck of 56 double-sided question cards (numbered 1-9 on each card) with nine questions on each side with a card holder.

The Rules of The Game

The players ask for squares by a number: 1-9, and the host reads the corresponding question from a card. Each card has a question for each celebrity with a prepared celebrity "response" and an "A" or a "D" meaning the player would be right to "Agree" or "Disagree" with the answer. The game is still best two-out-of-three with no Secret Squares and play money.

"Celebrities" on this game"
* Harry Holsum; Stella Starlit; Slick Nick; Susie Slurp; Tim Type; Alice Actress; Hayseed (a probable take off on Charley Weaver); Star Burst; Frankie Fun

British Version

The game was also marketed in the UK under the name "Celebrity Squares" with a picture of UK host Bob Monkhouse on the box.

Milton Bradley Era (1980-1986)

Milton Bradley created two versions, first in 1980 based on the Marshall version with game board with nine new celebrities, seven static cling X's and O's each and two question books, then in 1986 for the Davidson version, with a 3D board, 25 question card with nine questions each, and twelve "celebrities" to insert onto the board.

The Rules of the 1980 edition

A player picks a celebrity and the host reads a question. All questions are true-false, yes-no or multiple choice. The opponent (again without seeing the correct answer) answers the question, and the player agrees or disagrees with his opponent's response. The game is still best two-out-of-three with no Secret Squares and play money.

The Rules of the 1986 edition

This game is similar to the original MB game above, but now adapted for a two-player game. Instead of two question booklets, the questions are on cards that are place in a holder so that each question can be revealed one at a time.

"Celebrities" from the MB versions"

1980 edition
* Auntie Patso; G. Clef (almost looks like George Gobel); C. Quinn Galore; May I. Speak (a possible take off on Wayland Flowers and Madame); Lotta Talk; Hugh Morous; Pop Corn (a possible take off on Charley Weaver); Cy Alott; Hi Jumpe (a possible takeoff on Wilt Chamberlain)

1986 edition
* Cliff Hanger; Barbie Cue; Herman Heman; Rosy Glow; Tom Foolery; I. Lean; M. T. Promises; April Showers; Barry Tone; Belle E. Laugh; Will R. Gue; Lynn D. Hop

Parker Brothers Era (1999)

Parker Brothers released a similar game in 1999 based on the Bergeron version with a 3D board, 252 question cards with two questions on each with a true answer and a bluff answer are provided for each question, plastic X's and O's (five of each), and twelve new "celebrities" to insert onto the board. This one saw the return of play money (this time with 30 $1,000 bills) and "Secret Square" rules, missing since the original game.

The Rules of the 1999 edition

On your turn, you choose a celebrity and your opponent draws the top card, reads the question and gives the true answer, the provided bluff answer or a bluff answer of his own. You agree or disagree correctly to win the square. Each game pays $1,000 to its victor, plus $1,000 for each Secret Square won per game. The match would be won by the first player to earn $5,000. Another variation of gameplay involves playing for 30 minutes like the TV show, with victory going to the player with the most money.

Secret Square

The rules for the Secret Square is the originally that the some of the cards have the words "Secret Square" on it. However, some editions did not have printed Secret Square cards in the game. Later editions included the rule that the "Secret Square" was the card with the number 5 at the end of number (ex: 5-15-25-35 etc.)

"Celebrities" from the 1999 version"
* Milton Brothers; Parker Bradley; Avalon Hill; Tommy Thom; Platinum Blonde; Bubba D. Fence; Larry Latenite; Harmony; Mike Rafone; Sally Serve; Dr. Vivian Values; Carla Craft

External links

* [http://userdata.acd.net/ottinger/gshghp/Inside/HollySq.html The Hollywood Squares Home Game Page]