Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square

by Peter Marshall

Peter Marshall was the host for 17 years of the phenomenally successfulcelebrity game show, The Hollywood Squares . This is the insidestory from why Peter took the job (he did not want Dan Rowan to get it) to theinner workings of the show (how did Paul Lynde come up with all those jokes?).From stories about regulars Wally Cox, Rose Marie, Cliff Arquette as CharleyWeaver, Nannette Fabray, and Abby Dalton to stories about the guests - BettyGrable, Helen Hayes, George C. Scott, Richard Burton, and everybody else who wasanybody in Hollywood. Hollywood Squares debuted in 1966 and became, along with TheTonight Show , one of the two shows to be on if you wanted to plug a newmovie, show, or book. There are stories of friendships and romances that grew onthe show, stories of what happened when the show taped in Puerto Vallarta,Vancouver, and Jamaica. There are stories of The Hollywood Squares 'funniest moments and bloopers, including those that never got by the censors. The book includes a CD of along-out-of-print album, Zingers from The Hollywood Squares . Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square is an insider's view ofone of the most remarkable television shows of all time.  

Genres: Nonfiction, Tv, Biography, Humor, Biography Memoir, Memoir

202 pages, Hardcover

First published July 17, 2002

About the author

Peter Marshall (born Ralph Pierre LaCock) is an American television and radio personality, singer, and actor. He was the original host of The Hollywood Squares, from 1966 to 1981. He has almost fifty television, movie, and Broadway credits. His stage name, Peter Marshall, reportedly derived from the college in his home town (Marshall College, which became Marshall University in 1961).

Reviews

[Samantha Glasser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I heard an interview with Peter Marshall on Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal podcast. He was pleasant, funny and told interesting stories about a lot of great stars. My exposure to Marshall was through his cameo as the radio host on Annie. I grew up with the 90s version of Hollywood Squares, which wasn't as consistently funny as the original iteration. Luckily, many of those episodes are on Youtube and I've become a bona fide fan.

This book goes in depth on Hollywood Squares, the people who made the show happen, and the social events that happened behind the scenes. The show had many regulars like Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Jonathan Winters, George Goebel, Wally Cox, Karen Valentine, etc. and all of them are given at least a few paragraphs. We also get some biographical information about Marshall, who had a comedy act with Tommy Noonan, and whose sister Joanne Dru was an actress. The style of writing is conversational and it makes for a quick, satisfying read.

[Phil Melcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Marshall was the "The Master of the Hollywood Squares" for 16 years on television and this loving story tells how Peter never viewed it as work but more of "A social gathering". This book is beautifully detailed with stories from on the set and behind the scenes. Some of the stories include

*What star Center Square Paul Lynde was really like both in the square and out of it
*What happened at some of the show's dinner breaks
*The 2 men Peter Marshall "could not stand"
*The trips and extra curricular activities the show's regulars were involved in
*Why he almost regretted the game's last year in Vegas
*Why the show ended despite still doing well in it's timeslot and much much more.

There are some wonderful photographs from Peter's career spanning from a 20th Century Fox contract player to his last days hosting the show. I consider it the ultimate insider's guide to one of TV's funniest game shows ever. An added bonus is a CD featuring some of the show's best quips called "Zingers from the Hollywood Squares" with a brief introduction from Peter. You don't have to know "I'll take Karen Valentine to block" from a sanding block to be engaged with this fantastic book and CD. A great gift for any TV fan especially in the game show genre.

[Peter Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very enjoyable, with some interesting stories behind the scenes of a great game show. I wouldn't say there was anything too scandalous revealed, but it was fun to read what stories were included. A word about the Kindle version, though; the formatting is TERRIBLE! The chapters aren't linked for easy access, and the headings of them come right after the end of the previous chapter. There is one entire chapter with pictures from the author's personal collection that I would have LOVED to see, but they're the size of postcards on my Kindle and when I tried to enlarge them to view, the attempt crashed my Kindle. Other than that bit of annoyance, I enjoyed reading this.

[Pat Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood Squares is one of my favorite game shows. Peter Marshall's book is a fun and interesting read with many backstage tales behind the scenes of the show. Some of my favorite parts include, Marshall's dislike of Dan Rowan and calling Tony Randall a pain in the ass on the air. It was also nice to see Marshall say good things about the panelists while also airing his grievances about panelists he didn't like. This is a great read for anyone who is like me and enjoys a good game show.

And yes, I did read this book in one day.

[William O. Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book because occasionally after reading a “heavy” book one needs a little light-hearted and fun book to refresh the mind. This one fitted the bill. For anyone growing up watching this delightful show, it is a fascinating read written by its long running host, Peter Marshall. It was as entertaining to read as the show was to watch. Mr. Marshall provides tidbits on the many stars that appeared on the show many of whom have long gone.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have fond memories of this show as a kid, so I figured the book was worth a read. It's a great overview of the show and the people involved. Marshall dishes a little dirt but doesn't get overly nasty. I also love that he only took the hosting job because he hated the guy they would offer is to if Marshall declined. I wish the photo section at the end had larger pictures.

[Clay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great memoir of one of the shows I remember watching as a youngster (at least during summer breaks from school). Good stories, but a tad hard to fit it all in chronologically (though it really isn't important to enjoying Marshall's remembrances).

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book😂 loved the stories about the stars and other quirks. Peter Marshall was the best host ever for this show.

Loved watching Hollywood squares as a kid with my mom before the soaps. We laughed at all the puns.jokes and gafas.

[Gksjr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, if you're a fan

[Bonney Teti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny behind the scenes look at a favorite game shows. A bit of dishing and lots of laughs. If this is your area of interest this is a must read.

[Jennifer Sodaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories of a funny show!

Peter Marshall shares some of the best jokes from a special show. I was amazed at how many guests appeared!

[Michael Battista · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a wrap

Very good. Mr. Marshall did a great job in thing the ins n outs of this great show. Highly recommend

[Martin Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Marshall's memoir is possibly a bit longer than it needs to be, but beyond that I have no criticism: this was a fun, mindless sort of read that allowed me to recall in some detail a TV show that was a minor but present part of my childhood and teenage years.

The Hollywood Squares was different from other game shows back in the 1960s-1970s because the focus was so much on the jokes: it wasn't sophisticated like What's My Line or erudite like Jeopardy or silly like Beat the Clock or all about greed like The Price Is Right. The show it most resembled was the by-then off-the-air You Bet Your Life, I suppose, but that was always a showcase for Groucho pure and simple. The Hollywood Squares was a showcase for a whole host of performers--also-rans and second bananas, mostly: Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Wally Cox, Charley Weaver, Ruta Lee, and many many others.

They and dozens of others make appearances in Marshall's book, almost always presented with kindness and a sort of sweet nostalgic glow. (Lynde, who was obviously not a particular pleasant man, comes in for some criticism, but it's never excessive.) Marshall was the "master" of the Hollywood Squares and his bland suavity anchored the show perfectly: he was an emcee without ego, or so it appeared, and his job was to make the contestants comfortable and to allow the celebrities to shine. He did both of these things exceedingly well.

The book is most interesting in exploring the genesis and mechanics of this quiz show--I was fascinated to learn, for example, how the celebrities' bluff answers were managed. It's most fun in recalling anecdotes and incidents involving the many many (usually funny) people who populated the Squares over the years. Marshall talks about the various spinoffs of the show, and he's frank about his feelings about the later versions of the '80s, '90s and thereafter. He's such a pleasant fellow that when he tells the story of why he loathed one particular performer it's rather a shock (and, to the extent that his side of the story is true, justified).

As noted at the top of the review, the book did finally wear out its welcome, but overall I had fun going Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square. If you're of the age where you can recall the first iteration of this iconic TV show with affection, you will probably enjoy this book.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖋️ Good reading, and I enjoyed the snippets of memories of other entertainers he met and knew . . . I learned something about Peter Marshall that I did not know when he wrote, “My ambition was to be a singer, and my sister, who by this time had changed her name to Joanne Dru and become a movie star, was married to Dick Haymes, the famous crooner. Dick became my role model and I guess that was a good thing, because I landed my first job as a vocalist with Bob Chester at the Adams Theater in Newark, New Jersey. I continued to sing until I got drafted into the army in 1944.” Also, I laughed at the humorous way he dexterously wrote, “The thing that surprised me most about Miss [Gloria] Swanson was how diminutive she was. I'd seen her in lots of movies and I never thought of her as being so tiny. When I looked up at her, sitting in a square, I realized why. She had this really large head that made her appear much taller than she was.

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[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I grew up watching Hollywood Squares and loved it. It was definitely one of my favorite games shows and as an 80's kid I was a game show junkie. I was excited when I found this book on Kindle Unlimited but at 24% done, I'm adding it to my DNF shelf and giving it up. I am bored. to. death. reading this book. It's not that I was expecting any shocking revelations or anything but this book is as dry as Aunt Suzy's meatloaf. I'll stick to finding old clips of Squares on Youtube.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Guilty but fun read. Being just a ten year old kid when Hollywood Squares came into being, I do not remember the early years at all. As we drew into the 70's I became aware of the program and the plethora of comedians who starred weekly . There were definitely a lot of innuendos which went over my naive head (thankfully). For me, even though I am disgusted at the sidewise smirks and wink-winks, still it is a nostalgia trip.

[F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this book having grown up in the age of the years in question. The only thing I didn't like is the growing profanity as the book progressed making it impossible for me to recommend to my friends. I may share stories from it but not those questionable elements.
I did learn some interesting things about some interesting people (Wally Cox, Rose Marie, Cliff Arquette.
I am glad that he gave some backstory to Storybook Squares which I also enjoyed

[Richard Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the Fans

I was a big fan of the Hollywood Squares when I was much younger than I am now. So I really enjoyed reading this book and thinking back to the Original shows. It motivated me to search YouTube and watch some old shows. If you watched it in the past, you will enjoy reading this book.

[Ronald · Rating 5 out of 5]

How the game came into being, with his feelings (good and bad) about some of the stars. Many backstage stories. Even details on some of the trips he took with some of them. Heavily illustrated with many in color. The hardback edition includes a CD of zingers, roughly 20=ish minutes.

[Jonathan Shaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth a read of you dug the show

I loved this show as a kid and Marshall gives some hilarious insight. Highly re commend if you were a fan. You will not be into it otherwise.

[Brett Bydairk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backstage gossip from the original series, some fluff, and some serious dirt.
Comes with a CD of "Zingers From The Hollywood Squares"

[Tim Kretschmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read that remains focusedon only the Peter Marshall year of Hollywood Squares. fun anedotes but not a deep dive...but who the heck would want that. Pitch perfect companion to the show.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

#131 of 135 books pledged to read during 2021

[Brian Pangburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great memories!

If you were around in the late 60s-70s... you saw this show. Great stories from the source... well written and a wonderful slice of nostalgia.

[Patricia Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for those of us old enough to remember, otherwise... meh.

[Mark Loose · Rating 4 out of 5]

The show was better than the book :) but it WAS an enjoyable read! Several insights!

[Charles Lovelace, III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lot's of joy remembering this show. Peter fills it with several zingers (jokes) from the various stars.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just as chatty, silly, and pleasantly pointless as the show. I learned more about Wally Cox and Karen Valentine than I expected, and if that sounds like a recommendation, you should read this.

[Joe Stevens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting now many I think as a bit of Hollywood and TV history. OK behind the scenes stuff from an entertaining fellow.

[Rod Simmons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first bought a print copy of the book. I admit I’m old-fashioned and prefer them. I got to page 146 and the paragraph started talking about a topless bar in a part of town and then continued. But page 147 was a photo. So I turned to page 148 and that last half of a sentence there was talking about a party at Karen Valentines house where nobody was there by 7:30. In other words, that sentence made no sense. I discovered that the book is supposed to have 238 pages, but in the two copies I had (and returned) even counting the pages with roman numerals, there was only 226 pages. The other thing I noticed was that I was unable to find the link that was advertised on the cover of the book. The only conclusion that I could reach was that there are pages missing. I exchanged the first book but the second one they sent had the same issue. I bought a Kindle version of it and discovered that there was a section missing from that print copy. I finally was able to enjoy the entire book now. And reading it brought back fond memories of watching the show. Nice to read some stories of what went on behind the scenes. Nice easy read and if you like game shows you would enjoy this book.