This popular television game show appeared in prime time from 1966 through 1968 and then in a syndicated version from 1971 through 1984. A new syndicated version began in 1986 and was telecast until 1989. Then an even newer syndicated version began again in 1998. During a 14 year run a daytime version was also telecast.
The photograph is of the game based upon the television show in the early years. The game was produced by the Ideal Toy Company in 1974. It was donated to the Museum in 1991.
Pictured on the box to the right is the "emcee" Peter Marshall who appeared on the show until 1982. After him, others served as "emcee". On the left of the box are caricatures of the "squares" at the time the game was issued. The "squares" were usually well-know Hollywood celebrities. The "center square" was the "star" of the show. Over the years, some of the centers have been Paul Lynde, Joan Rivers, Shadoe Stevens, Whoopi Goldberg.
The quiz was roughly based upon the game of "tic-tac-toe" or "noughts and crosses" - a three in a row game. The celebrities were seated on a three-tiered set much like the graphic on the game box. Two studio contestants would compete, each taking a turn choosing one of the celebrities squares as their partner. The "emcee" would then ask the chosen celebrity an unusual question - a question which often generated a great deal of humor. The celebrity would give an answer, and each of the contestants had to determine if the answer was correct or incorrect. If the contestant was right, the celebrity square received either a "nought or cross"; if the contestant was wrong - the other contestant was "given" the square with the other symbol. The game continued until one of the contestants had three of the same symbols in a row - either horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
The boxed game was quite similar to the telecast. Within the box is a board of approximately 42cm x 28cm x 4.5 with appropriate cut-outs to hold the symbols. Plastic symbols (4.4cm) in either white or orange fit into the board cut-outs. White cardboard cards (9cm x 6.5cm) with questions on one side and answers on the other side are included in the game.
Last update May 28, 2010