Storybook Squares

Aired

NBC Saturday Mornings, January 4, 1969-April 19, 1969 (reruns until August 30, 1969); August 9, 1976-December 30, 1977

Run time

30 Minutes

Host

Peter Marshall

Announcer

Kenny Williams "Guardian of the Gate"

Origination

NBC Studios, Burbank, California

Storybook Squares was a children's spinoff of Hollywood Squares with nine celebrities dressed as historical and storybook figures and sometimes as their TV Show characters.

Game Format

Original 1969 version

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.

1976-1977 version

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.

End-of-Show Disclaimers

"Areas of questions and possible bluff answers are discussed with the celebrities in advance. In the course of their briefing, actual questions and answers may be given or discerned by the celebrities." - (1969)

"The areas of questions designed for the celebrities and possible bluff answers are discussed with some celebrities in advance. In the course of their briefing, actual questions and/or answers may be discerned by the celebrities." - (1976-1977)

Photos

TV Sales Planning

Music

Main Theme – "Merrill and Bob's Theme" by William G. Loose

Trivia

A new version was originally going to be planned on CBS' 1998–1999 Saturday-morning schedule replacing Wheel 2000 (a.k.a Wheel of Fortune 2000), but it was bumped off in favor of Blaster's Universe.

Episode Status

See Also: Storybook Squares/Episode Guide

See Also

The Hollywood Squares
The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour
Hollywood Squares (1986)
Hollywood Squares (1992 proposed revival)
Planet Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares (1998)
Hollywood Squares (2015 proposed revival)
Hip Hop Squares
Hip Hop Squares (2017)
Nashville Squares
Celebrity Squares

Video