Celebrity Squares

Revision as of 17:11, 17 March 2007

Synopsis

It's the show about "stars and cars".

Noughts and Crosses with a twist. Inside each box is a celeb and Bob asks a question to them. If the contestant can then say correctly if the celeb got the question correct or wrong then they win that square, some money and have their little symbol implanted within it. If they can get three in row or five in total then they win the round and a mega bonus.

During one round, one of the celebs is holding the mystery holiday. If they pick them, then respond correctly they not only win some money but also win a holiday.

Bob Monkhouse, with the original TV listing for Celebrities Squares in the background.

After the break they play for double the cash, and if they fit any more rounds in they redouble each time. When the buzzer goes whoever has the most money goes forward to the Monkhouse Motor Show where they can win a car.

They select one of five at random by prodding a button as the lights flash. Once one has been selected, the player picks one of three categories. Within 30 seconds, the player must then give nine answers out the top 20 given by members of the public.

For every one they get, one the boxes light up.If they light up all nine they win the car. If they don't, they don't.

Key moments

Usually Willie Rushton or Frank Carson livening up proceedings in the centre square.

Theme music

By Rick Turk in the 90s revival.

Inventor

Based on the US format Hollywood Squares by Merrill Heatter and Bob Quigley (who also created Gambit).

Trivia

Squares replaced Bob's previous show, The Golden Shot.

Prizes in the first series included holidays to Romania, carpets and washing machines. The 18-foot high game board cost £22,000 to build, which converts to about £130,000 in today's money. The celebrities received £60 for appearing.

The celebrities on the "big box game" on its very first Sunday were: Leslie Crowther (later host of The Price is Right), ample actress Diana Dors, actress Hermoine Gingold, actress Aimi McDonald, comedy actors Alfred Marks and Arthur Mullard, creepy actor Vincent Price, writer and wit Willie Rushton, and broadcasting blarney-master Terry Wogan (later host of Blankety Blank and You Must be Joking).

Question writers included Jeremy Beadle, Ian Messiter and Bob himself.

In 2003, a version by Graham Norton's TV company, So Television, was planned. It was going to be joshingly entitled Soho Squares until the format licensors nixed the idea when they heard what sort of thing goes on in Soho. Originally the revamp was touted at Channel 4, but they passed leaving Channel 5 to cough up the money for a pilot with Tom Binns on hosting duties, as can be seen from the clip below.

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