Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour (1983)

[Cassette Carl]

Title: Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour

Cast: Jon Bauman, Gene Rayburn

First aired: Oct 31, 1983

Last air date: Oct 31, 1983

Overview: The Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour is an American television game show that combined two long-running game shows of the 1960s and 1970s – Match Game and Hollywood Squares – into an hour-long format.

The series ran from October 31, 1983 to July 27, 1984 on NBC. Gene Rayburn hosted the Match Game and Super Match segments, while Jon Bauman hosted the Hollywood Squares segment. Gene Wood was the show's regular announcer with Johnny Olson, Rich Jeffries, and Bob Hilton substituting during the run.

The series was a joint production of Mark Goodson Productions and Orion Television, who owned the rights to Squares at the time.

The "Match Game-Hollywood Squares Hour" was indeed a unique blend of two iconic game shows, combining the humor and fill-in-the-blank fun of "Match Game" with the tic-tac-toe celebrity panel quiz format of "Hollywood Squares." This hybrid show aired on NBC, starting on October 31, 1983, and concluded on July 27, 1984.

Gene Rayburn, known for his charismatic hosting of "Match Game," took the reins for the Match Game portion, including the Super Match segment. Meanwhile, Jon Bauman, who many might recognize as "Bowzer" from the musical group Sha Na Na, hosted the Hollywood Squares segment. The show featured a variety of celebrities who participated in both segments, adding to the lively and unpredictable atmosphere.

Despite its innovative format, the show struggled with ratings and was eventually canceled after just one season. However, it remains a fascinating example of 1980s television experimentation, reflecting the era's penchant for creative programming and crossover concepts.