Storybook Squares
Encyclopedia
Storybook Squares was a short-lived Saturday morning version of Hollywood Squares
for children. The primary difference, apart from having children as contestants, was that it featured celebrities (usually the same ones from Hollywood Squares) in costume as well-known fictional characters and some as historical figures.
As with the adult version, Peter Marshall was host and Kenny Williams
was announcer; Williams read the characters' names off a scroll as "The Guardian of the Gate", a role similar to his "Town Crier" on Video Village
.
The series originally ran on NBC
from January 4 to April 19, 1969, with repeats airing until August 30.
, who carried his "Charley Weaver" persona over to Storybook Squares. The other panelists played characters from fairy tales and books, historical figures, or in some cases the characters they played on television.
Unlike the parent series, on Storybook Squares each panelist/character was given an elaborate introduction as they entered the set and took their place on the board, allowing for a brief comic interaction with host Marshall as they did so.
The team with the most money at the end of the game won a large prize, such as a car or exotic vacation.
the series.
The status of the 1970s episodes are equally uncertain due to network practices of the era. Game Show Network
aired a December 1977 episode as part of a Halloween
-themed marathon in 2002; it was the only NBC daytime episode to be rerun by GSN.
Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares is an American panel game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. 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...
for children. The primary difference, apart from having children as contestants, was that it featured celebrities (usually the same ones from Hollywood Squares) in costume as well-known fictional characters and some as historical figures.
As with the adult version, Peter Marshall was host and Kenny Williams
Kenny Williams (announcer)
Kenny Williams was an American television announcer from the late 1940s to 1980s. He was best known as the announcer of many game shows produced by Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley . He also appeared on screen as "Kenny the Cop" on Video Village and Shenanigans...
was announcer; Williams read the characters' names off a scroll as "The Guardian of the Gate", a role similar to his "Town Crier" on Video Village
Video Village
Video Village is an American television game show produced by Heatter-Quigley Productions which aired on the CBS network in daytime from July 11, 1960 to June 15, 1962 and in primetime from July 1 to September 16, 1960....
.
The series originally ran on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from January 4 to April 19, 1969, with repeats airing until August 30.
Format
Like the normal version, two contestants competed (with a boy as X and a girl as O). The game was played exactly the same as the original Hollywood Squares, but no money was involved. Instead, the children played for prizes, with one being awarded per game won.Panelists (1969)
The only panelist from the adult show who played as he normally would was Cliff ArquetteCliff Arquette
Clifford Charles Arquette was an actor and comedian, famous for his role as Charley Weaver.-Early life and career:...
, who carried his "Charley Weaver" persona over to Storybook Squares. The other panelists played characters from fairy tales and books, historical figures, or in some cases the characters they played on television.
Unlike the parent series, on Storybook Squares each panelist/character was given an elaborate introduction as they entered the set and took their place on the board, allowing for a brief comic interaction with host Marshall as they did so.
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)
Revival
Although the original 1969 series only made 16 episodes, the format returned as part of the regular series from 1976–1977 for special theme weeks. However, the format differed slightly, featuring teams with three generations of family members (for example, grandmother/mother/daughter). Each game was worth $300, with each team earning $50 per square should time run out (similar to the short-lived NBC primetime version from 1968). The kids played for the first segment of the show, and their parents squared off in the next game, and the grandparents for the rest of the game, unless time was running out, in which case all three players on each team played.The team with the most money at the end of the game won a large prize, such as a car or exotic vacation.
Panelists (1976–1977)
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Set
The 1969 set was decked out in a medieval theme for the host and players' podiums, while the gameboard remained the same as on the adult version. The 1970s sets extended the medieval theme to the entire set, with a sweeping castle facade built around and behind the "Squares".Episode status
The 1969 version's status is unknown. Although almost all of NBC's Saturday-morning programs from this period exist, network practices of the era would have most likely destroyedWiping
Wiping or junking is a colloquial term for action taken by radio and television production and broadcasting companies, in which old audiotapes, videotapes, and telerecordings , are erased, reused, or destroyed after several uses...
the series.
The status of the 1970s episodes are equally uncertain due to network practices of the era. Game Show Network
Game Show Network
The Game Show Network is an American cable television and direct broadcast satellite channel dedicated to game shows and casino game shows. The channel was launched on December 1, 1994. Its current slogan is "The World Needs More Winners"...
aired a December 1977 episode as part of a Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
-themed marathon in 2002; it was the only NBC daytime episode to be rerun by GSN.