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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb book, even better CD, July 24, 2002
This review is from: Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square (Hardcover)
This book is a great look back at the original run of The Hollywood Squares, primarily focusing on how Peter Marshall got the job and his memories of the squares, ranging from the regulars (Paul Lynde, George Gobel, Wally Cox, Cliff Arquette/Charley Weaver) to those that only made a handful of appearances (George C. Scott, Miss Gloria Swanson, Miss Helen Hayes). The book was a very short read, taking me just over 3 hours to read from cover to cover. The pictures in the book are simply amazing, ranging from pictures of celebrities in their cubicles to Peter Marshall and Alex Trebek as celebrity players on The Magnificent Marble Machine. The photo of George Gobel dressed as Little Boy Blue is absolutely priceless. My 2 favorite parts of the book are the complete list of celebrities that occupied the squares and the CD copy of the Zingers album released in 1974. The audio occasionally cracks and pops but the jam packed humor on the CD more than makes up for it. In my opinion, the CD by itself is worth the cost of the book.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Greta Garbo to block..., April 20, 2003
This review is from: Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square (Hardcover)
... is a phrase Peter Marshall admits he would have loved to hear on his hit television show "The Hollywood Squares". That fact, and a thousand others, come in a new and downright funny book, "Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square", written by Peter Marshall and Adrienne Armstrong. Part memoir, part fond walk down memory lane, "Backstage" provides insights to the creation and hosting of one of America's all time successful games. Peter Marshall recants many stories, some of which he told on the E! True Hollywood Story of the "Squares" and others are brand new. He starts off with a quick summation of his early career, and how he was offered the emcee job of a lifetime. Then he delves in to all the people behind the scenes that were important to the show. The book starts running when he reminisces about all the stars we grew to love over the years: Paul Lynde, Wally Cox, Rose Marie. While each section of the star could have been longer, he sheds some light on each one admirably. Throughout the book, Peter comes across very polite and respectful. It's almost his persona on the Squares. He allowed the stars to shine by taking a somewhat backseat approach to hosting, yet you realize after watching it he was the glue that kept them together. In this book, he is the mere storyteller, and showcases everyone else. What's more fantastic about this book is the CD that accompanies it. From an album entitled "Zingers from the Hollywood Squares" that was released in the 70's, this CD holds some of the Squares funniest one liners. That alone is worth the cost of the book. I had the album as a kid, and listened to it constantly, and to this day, recalled many of the jokes still! This book was a long time coming, and needed. For many people, The Hollywood Squares wasn't a showcase for has beens, but a welcome comedic relief during some of our nation's most turbulant times. Thanks to Peter Marshall for writing this, and bringing back all the laughter!
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Paul Lynde to block!, August 21, 2002
This review is from: Backstage with the Original Hollywood Square (Hardcover)
Peter Marshall: Why do Motorcyclists wear leather jackets? Paul Lynde: Because Chiffon Wrinkles. For quite some time now, I have been listening to Peter Marshall on the radio every weekday morning as he hosts "the Music of Your Life" on KLOA a.m. His knowledge of music from that era is extensive and he always adds interesting comments and stories about the songs that he plays. Every once in a while he mentions the Hollywood Squares and you can hear in his voice how he cherishes that part of his life. With his new book, "Backstage With the Original Hollywood Square", he has a chance to reminisce fondly of the much beloved game show that brought joy to lives of so many. The tone of the book is mostly fun, and even when he briefly mentions those few things that are perhaps less than pleasant, he does so with an honest, human candor that puts things in perspective. We get a quick glimpse of Peter's life before, during and after Squares, however, the majority of the book is about all of the celebrities that took part in the show, both those that were regulars like Paul Lynde and the many brief appearances by stars throughout the years as diverse as George C. Scott to Alice Cooper. The inner workings of the show are also presented for our enlightenment, as well as the pleasant announcement that the videos of the show that were once believed lost have recently been uncovered and are now playing on the Game Show Network. My favorite story in the book concerns an amazing letter that Pete received from none other than the Duke himself: John Wayne! As if this fabulous photo packed book were not enough, it comes with a CD of the long out of print album, "Zingers from the Hollywood Squares"! If you liked Hollywood Squares, then you will not be let down by this bargain package.
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