Who Held the Title for Longest-Running Square in the Original ‘Hollywood Squares?’
There are some shows in America that fans just can’t get enough of. One of them is Hollywood Squares, which started all the way back in 1966 and has returned many times over the years. A new version premieres on Jan. 16, 2025, starring Drew Barrymore as the highly coveted “center square,” with Nate Burleson hosting. If you’ve been watching for decades, let’s take a walk down memory lane to the original game show of the ’60s.
The game show’s premise is simple, and has stayed largely the same over the years. Two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe in order to win cash and prizes; however, each square is occupied by a celebrity. The celebs must answer questions correctly in order to give the contestants the square and ensure their victory. The series gained notoriety because of the celebrity guests, some who would continue to play week after week, as well as the “zingers,” joke answers to give the show a comedic edge.
Who was featured the most as the “center square” in the original Hollywood Squares?
George Peper/TV Guide/NBC/ Everett Collection
Peter Marshall hosted the original version, which aired on NBC from 1966 to 1981. Do you remember who held the title for the longest-running square? Meaning, they were a celebrity guest the most times on the original series. Turns out, it was likely Paul Lynde who was a regular “center square” celebrity on the show. He was often given questions related to history or relationships, to which he would provide a hilarious “zinger.”
Other regulars on the show were Cliff Arquette (often in character as Charley Weaver), Wally Cox, Roddy McDowall, Rose Marie, Demond Wilson and Morey Amsterdam.
Tell us, which Hollywood Squares version is your favorite and which celebrity were you most excited to see on an episode? Will you be watching the new version? The new iteration premieres on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 8pm on CBS and Paramount+. It was originally scheduled for this week but has been postponed due to the current California wildfires.
Remind 
Game Shows
September 2024
It’s play time! We’re clueing you in on the greatest panel and quiz shows that ever buzzed about on television.
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