| The Master Returns |
| Despite H2's low ratings, it's very likely more people saw this classy curtain call than they did Marshall's final sign-off from Vegas in early 1981. To a generation born years after the original faded into memory and the tapes lay forgotten on a shelf somewhere in storage rented by MGM, it was a rare chance to see a voice from the past pick up where it left off. It's too bad Joan Rivers, Rich Little and Rose Marie were busy that week, and Paul Lynde, Charley Weaver and Wally Cox weren't around anymore (though Lynde did appear in a clip from the infamous "Beaverface" episode). Only problem was, it was all too brief. Time ran out before completion of the second game (the Secret Square game, no less; Reilly and Somers were the Secret Square and were not picked). Marshall returned to center square as Tom Bergeron took care of the bonus round, and the contestant's attempt to start up the Chrysler Sebring convertible. (It didn't start.) The rest of the week, Marshall held center square, proving he could also throw some good zingers and even get in some really good bluffs. And he did one other thing he was probably more than happy to do: plugged his book, Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square. Marshall didn't appear on the second "Game Show Week," but Rose Marie did. The show itself is now a goner. But we still have one more tape and one more memory to hold onto. Once again, Pete, thanks...and thanks to you and your people for giving this reporter a chance to break the story. (from the show of December 12, 2002) Peter Marshall: The object for the players is to get three stars in a row, either across, up or down or diagonally. It is up to them to figure out if the star is giving them the correct answer or making one up, that's how they get the square. Each game is worth a thou--a thousand dollars?! (laughter) Times have changed! (after guest announcer Rod Roddy finished describing the Secret Square package) Peter Marshall: Thank you, Kenny--I mean Rod, sorry! Martin Mull: Good to see you Peter, been awhile! Peter Marshall: In a survey by the National Safety Council, are you more likely to die from choking, drowning or poisoning? Martin Mull: I think so, um... (laughter) Peter Marshall: No, we need one or the other. Martin Mull: ...at least that's what I tell myself when I light up. I would think probably choking. Contestant: I agree. Peter Marshall: No, it's poisoning, then drowning. Choking came in third and paid two-eighty. Bob Eubanks: I'll bet you--Peter, is this the first time you've ever done this show with long pants on? Peter Marshall: You may be right. Tom Bergeron: ...or with any pants on. Bob Eubanks: I tell you, Peter used to wear tennis shorts... Peter Marshall: Yes, I did. Bob Eubanks: ...and suits on the top. Peter Marshall: My legs were awfully cute in those days. Bob Eubanks: We're glad you have long pants on. (Note: Marshall only wore shorts when he taped the nighttime version. He had to wear dress pants on NBC because he always stood up to welcome the new contestants.) Peter Marshall: Steve Allen coined the phrase "Is it bigger than a breadbox?" for what TV show? Jim Lange: I can tell you, it was a favorite question on The Dating Game! (correct answer: What's My Line? of course) (the rest of the week Marshall answered questions in the center square) Tom Bergeron: The object of the game is, uh, the reason we're here is, um... Peter Marshall: The object for the players is to get three stars in a row, either across, up or down or diagonally...(audience goes wild)...it's up to them to figure out if the star is giving the correct answer or making one up, that's how they get the square. Thought I'd help you out. Tom Bergeron: Boy if there was ever a week for me to clutch my chest and go down! Tom Bergeron: How does a comet get its tail? Peter Marshall: Oh, the same as everyone else I guess, a little cognac, a Barry White CD... Tom Bergeron: Peter, does the average CEO make more money in a year than the average worker? Peter Marshall: Well, I would think they have to. You know, bail. Tom Bergeron: True or false, Peter. Cracker Jack has given away more than 22 billion prizes. Peter Marshall: Cracker Jack? I would think so, they've been around a long, long time. I remember, I was just a little kid, the first time I ever opened a box of Cracker Jack box, and guess what it was? A little fur coat from Dicker and Dicker! |
| You heard about it here first, on this very website...now it holds a very special place in game show history. For many fans of the Bergeron Squares, it's not hard to find a favorite show. There's the "You fool!" show featuring Gilbert Gottfried at his best, or the "pink sweater" show with Bobcat Goldthwait egging on Bergeron in the fashion department (and Bobcat taking off his pants). But my personal favorite, for reasons all too obvious, was the day Peter Marshall returned to the Hollywood Squares. After having expressed some disdain for this newest version--but not for host Tom Bergeron, whom he liked--Peter Marshall found himself invited to appear. By then the show had new producers, a new nickname, and no regulars, but an apparent longing to reach out to its past stars like Rose Marie and Phyllis Diller. Plus, Peter Marshall had a book to plug. Marshall was invited to occupy the center square during what would be the first of two classic game-show theme weeks, the week of December 9-13, 2002. The other celebrities that week: veteran game show hosts Bob Eubanks (The Newlywed Game, Card Sharks), Jim Lange (The Dating Game, Bullseye), Wink Martindale (Tic Tac Dough, Gambit), and Chuck Woolery (Wheel of Fortune, Scrabble); Match Game 7x regulars Charles Nelson Reilly and Brett Somers (sharing a square), Jimmie Walker, Kathy Griffin and Martin Mull. Only Griffin and Somers had not appeared on the original Marshall version of the Squares; Eubanks, Reilly, Walker and Woolery actually appeared in all four versions of the show, the biggest joint appearance ever by the members of that elite list. Turns out Marshall only held center square duties for four of those five days. The show that aired Thursday, December 12, marked a major milestone: for the first time in 22 years, since his last sign-off in Vegas, Peter Marshall found himself behind the podium, reading questions as the "Master of the Hollywood Squares." He still clearly had it, proving himself worthy, still just as smooth and witty as ever. His voice cracked just a little during his rapid fire reading of the rules, but otherwise, for almost two games, a game show legend showed everyone how it was done. |
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