Reviving Nostalgia: The Classic Game Show Makes a Spectacular Comeback!

Let’s be honest. No one can rival the flamboyant and witty Paul Lynde as the center square on Hollywood Squares. Joan Rivers couldn’t accomplish it. Whoopi Goldberg couldn’t manage it. Martin Mull couldn’t either. Similarly, no other individual who might have occupied that esteemed position on this iconic game show could compare. Hence, bestowing that privilege upon Drew Barrymore, who is not a comedian, is a clear misjudgment in this recent reboot of Hollywood Squares.

Naturally, Drew Barrymore already hosts a daytime talk program for CBS Media Ventures (the syndication division for CBS). Additionally, she serves as an executive producer on Hollywood Squares. Therefore, we understand her placement as the center square. However, she simply lacks the qualifications for this role.

That being said, two episodes into the revival of Hollywood Squares and it was simply a blast.

Hosted by Nate Burleson of CBS Mornings and The NFL Today in a vibrant set featuring a refreshed theme song, the interactions among the celebrities were quite enjoyable. Burleson skillfully managed the comedic antics. And the rapid-fire quips throughout each half-hour leave you yearning for more. Thus, packaging back-to-back episodes of Hollywood Squares within an hour-long span was the correct choice for CBS.

Hollywood Squares included Julie Bowen, Tyra Banks, Tiffany Haddish, Drew Carey, Pete Holmes, Bobby Moynihan, Whitney Cummings, Thomas Lennon, Jeff Ross, Debi Mazar, Chelsea Peretti, JB Smoove, Tichina Arnold, Nicole Byer, and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog.

Personally, I sometimes ponder if inhaling laughing gas is a requirement to take part in a game show like Hollywood Squares. The exuberance among this group was intensified to the extreme. Nevertheless, I prefer to chuckle rather than cry. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this latest revival of Hollywood Squares. I’ll be tuning in next week…and beyond.

As a side note: Congratulations to the producers for honoring the iconic former host Peter Marshall with a mention at the beginning of the premiere episode. And, although I commenced this review asserting that no one could rival Paul Lynde as the center square, I must acknowledge that Joan Rivers came remarkably close!