Hollywood Squares (2025) All Episodes Discussion

[shapeshifter]

Here's a thread to discuss any and all episodes of the 2025 reboot of Hollywood Squares.

6 hours ago, opus said:

New episode tomorrow (Sun. 1/19) after the football game. Scheduled for 10 ET but if recording always assume overrun in such situations.

The Futon Critic is showing:

• date      (day)    time       networ  episode title

  2/26/25 (We.)  10:00 PM  CBS   TBA

  2/19/25 (We.)  10:00 PM  CBS    TBA

  2/12/25 (We.)  10:00 PM  CBS    TBA

  2/5/25 (We.)  10:00 PM   CBS     TBA

  1/29/25 (We.)  10:00 PM CBS    (#115/102) It's a Hot Gentleman's Sweater / They Always Choose Me, Boo!

  1/23/25 (Th.). 8:00 PM    CBS    (#109/101) It's a Kiss Party / Sixty for Swifty

  1/23/25 (Th.). 8:00 PM    CBS    (#119/117) Didn't Work If Nelly Didn't Laugh / The Price Was Wrong Drew

  1/19/25 (Su.). 10:00 PM    CBS   (#109/101) Sixty for Swifty/It's a Kiss Party

  1/16/25 (Th.). 8:00 PM      CBS   (#110/116) It's a Dysfunctional Family Show/The Mayor of the Sun

Edited Sunday at 05:24 AM by shapeshifter

[chitowngirl]

I was surprised at how little game there actually was. First episode they only got through one game and the second they were in the middle of two. I know there’s the bonus round, but do they really need to chit chat with EVERY celebrity?

[iMonrey]

It's essentially just a simple trivia game, so the game itself is not particularly interesting IMO. II think the show relies heavily on the celebrities being entertaining which is why they book so many comics and so much of the first show I saw was spent on them giving each other a hard time and interacting with each other. I also got a kick out of them ribbing the host about his yellow suit.

[opus]

Has that ever been the bonus game format before? I think in one of the versions (maybe Tom Bergeron) you played to try to get the correct keys to a car.

[surfgirl]

I'm not sure any reboot of this show will ever top it at the height of it's popularity back in the day.

ETA: I watched tonight, it was abysmally bad. The OG cast were so smart, witty, Gaston their feet, and au courant with the zeitgeist of the time. None of these squares are at that level and I found most on the vapid side, alas.

Edited Monday at 03:58 AM by surfgirl

[iMonrey]

I thought it was OK. It does make me wonder how much the celebs get paid for this and what else might motivate them. Tyra Banks? I was so glad when they dumped her ass as host of Dancing With The Stars. And I think the celebs know about as many correct answers as the celebs in the original version. In both cases I suspect they are fed the correct answers. If they just made up wild crap the contestant would be able to tell they were wrong.

I also admit to a mild case of schadenfreude when a celeb I don't like never gets called on (i.e. Kevin Nealon). 

[KeithJ]

How did they find so many players that don’t seem to know any strategy of tic tac toe?

[JAYJAY1979]

The center square should be reserved for someone that is quick witted and funny.  Drew Barrymore is none of those things.  

Another example of lowering standards in society.  Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, Whoopi Goldberg, and Martin Mull were perfect for center square unlike Barrymore.

[Browncoat]

I had no idea Triumph the "comic" dog was even still a thing.  I don't know why it ever was a thing.

[shapeshifter]

2 hours ago, Browncoat said:

I had no idea Triumph the "comic" dog was even still a thing.  I don't know why it ever was a thing.

Well, we still have Muppets. 

[Browncoat]

4 hours ago, shapeshifter said:

Well, we still have Muppets. 

Yes, but Muppets are awesome.

[roughing it]

On 1/21/2025 at 10:37 AM, JAYJAY1979 said:

The center square should be reserved for someone that is quick witted and funny.  Drew Barrymore is none of those things.

Drew is the executive producer.

[JAYJAY1979]

19 minutes ago, roughing it said:

Drew is the executive producer.

She isn't a good one then.

[SnarkShark]

Center Square should NEVER not be a comedian (yes, Paul Lynde counted).

It's not just about the most airtime.  It's about the person getting that maximum airtime landing a joke every time.

[Ms Lark]

For months I wondered who in their infinite lack of wisdom would put Drew Barrymore in the center square? Center has to be sharp, fast, quick-witted, and very funny. Drew is none of these. WTF?

Then I found out it was it is no more than an obvious vanity project. Explains everything. I don't think it will thrive, although she still has that dreadful talk show. Who knows? I sure as hell don't care for it, even with the "real comedians."

Drew needs to stick to B-level rom-coms and that ilk.

[ams1001]

I find the apparent need to include an adjective each time they pick a star annoying.

This Jordan chick is terrible at this.

[SoMuchTV]

I generally like Bobby Moynihan, but I thought that wasn’t so cool of him to act so confident on the prize square (or whatever it’s called) and lead the contestant to agreeing with him. On the other hand, maybe he was confident but just wrong. My original guess was what turned out to be the correct answer, but he was so confident (having been in a related movie) that he might have swayed me too!

[iMonrey]

On 1/23/2025 at 5:14 AM, Ms Lark said:

Then I found out it was it is no more than an obvious vanity project. Explains everything. I don't think it will thrive, although she still has that dreadful talk show. Who knows? I sure as hell don't care for it, even with the "real comedians."

Drew needs to stick to B-level rom-coms and that ilk.

I think Drew has aged out of romcoms at this point. I actually don't dislike her, in general, but she's a lot on this show. And I hate how she has to run down and hug the winner after every game. Talk about making it all about herself as much as possible. 

Now, Drew Carey would be a great center square, although I guess he's got better things to do. I'm surprised he's been on this show as much as he has.

Pete Holmes is pretty hit or miss. He's a lot, too.