Peter Marshall

Host


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his two-hour interview, Peter Marshall talks about his early life as an NBC page, his service in World War II, and his time as a disc jockey and singer. He discusses teaming up with Tommy Noonan in a comedy act and tells of their tremendous success in nightclubs and movies. He recalls his work on early variety shows and on the first NBC color special Manhattan Tower. He speaks of his stage career in London's West End and on Broadway and then outlines his sixteen years as the host of Hollywood Squares. Marshall comments on several of the major celebrities who appeared on the program, including Walter Matthau, Gloria Swanson, Glenn Ford, and Milton Berle, as well as regulars Paul Lynde, Rose Marie, Cliff Arquette, and Wally Cox. He speaks of his career after Hollywood Squares - his appearances on The Love Boat and as host of the game shows Fantasy and All Star Blitz. Marshall also talks about what makes a good game show host and shares how he'd like to be remembered. Conrad Bachman conducted the interview on August 3, 2010 in Encino, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Listen to people, have fun, and know the game. That's basically all you have to do to be a good game show host. Know the game thoroughly so if something goes wrong, you know how to rectify it. And most importantly, enjoy the people."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Peter Marshall on his Emmys for Hollywood Squares
01:58
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
02:41
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
01:55
Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
01:32
Peter Marshall on how he came to host Hollywood Squares
11:52
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on being an NBC page; on his early singing career
On his service in World War II; on becoming a disc jockey; on teaming up with Tommy Noonan
On his early television work; on early film roles; on his early appearances on variety shows
On his experience on stage on Broadway; on how he came to host Hollywood Squares

Chapter 2

On acting on The Lucy Show; on the development of Hollywood Squares; on various celebrities who appeared on Hollywood Squares
On appearances on Hollywood Squares by Gloria Swanson, Rose Marie, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joan Rivers and Cliff Arquette; on winning an Emmy for Hollywood Squares; on the Hollywood Squares set and production team
On the cancellation of Hollywood Squares; on various acting roles after Hollywood Squares and hosting Fantasy, Yahtzee, and All Star Blitz; on personal achievements and regrets
On then-current projects; on what makes a good game show host; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows

Fantasy

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Peter Marshall on hosting the show Fantasy with Leslie Uggams
01:21

Hollywood Squares, The

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Peter Marshall on working with his friend George Gobel on Hollywood Squares 
01:39
Peter Marshall on how he came to host Hollywood Squares
11:52
Peter Marshall on the history of Hollywood Squares before he became host
03:54
Peter Marshall on the first tapings of Hollywood Squares and changes he brought to the show
02:28
Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
00:57
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
01:55
Peter Marshall on the Hollywood Squares regulars and Paul Lynde leaving the show
01:50
Peter Marshall on solving Milton Berle's backstage problems on Hollywood Squares
04:29
Peter Marshall on Gloria Swanson appearing on Hollywood Squares
01:20
Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
01:32
Peter Marshall on his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.
02:54
Peter Marshall on Rose Marie on Hollywood Squares
00:32
Peter Marshall on Cliff Arquette on Hollywood Squares
00:36
Peter Marshall on Joan Rivers on Hollywood Squares
00:49
Peter Marshall on his Emmy Awards for Hollywood Squares
01:58
Peter Marshall on the production team of Hollywood Squares
01:37
Peter Marshall on the set of Hollywood Squares and the prizes
00:56
Peter Marshall on the cancellation of Hollywood Squares
00:46
Peter Marshall on returning to host the syndicated version of Hollywood Squares in 2002
07:09

Love Boat, The

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Peter Marshall on guest-starring on The Love Boat
01:42

Lucy Show, The

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Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show
04:34

Millionaire, The

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Peter Marshall on guest-starring on The Millionaire and working with Paul Frees
02:00

WKRP in Cincinnati

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Peter Marshall on various television acting roles after Hollywood Squares
01:30
Topics

Emmy Awards

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Peter Marshall on his Emmys for Hollywood Squares
01:58

War

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Peter Marshall on his service in World War II
03:44

World War II

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Peter Marshall on his service in World War II
03:44
Professions

Game Show Host

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Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
02:51

Hosts

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Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
02:51
Genres

Game Shows

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Peter Marshall on hosting Hollywood Squares
11:52
Peter Marshall on hosting Hollywood Squares
29:20
People

Cliff Arquette

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Peter Marshall on Cliff Arquette on Hollywood Squares
00:36

Lucille Ball

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Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show
04:34

Milton Berle

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Peter Marshall on solving Milton Berle's backstage problems on Hollywood Squares
02:08

Wally Cox

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Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
01:32

Bill Cullen

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Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
02:41

Sammy Davis, Jr.

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Peter Marshall on his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.
02:54

Richard Dawson

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Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
02:41

Harry Friedman

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Peter Marshall on the production team of Hollywood Squares
01:37

Robert Fuller

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Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
01:55

George Gobel

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Peter Marshall on working with his friend George Gobel on Hollywood Squares
01:39

Helen Hayes

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Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: Helen Hayes
02:21

Merrill Heatter

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Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
00:57

Paul Lynde

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Peter Marshall on the Hollywood Squares regulars and Paul Lynde leaving the show
01:50

Rose Marie

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Peter Marshall on Rose Marie on Hollywood Squares
00:32

Groucho Marx

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Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
01:55

Walter Matthau

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Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: Walter Matthau
02:21

Bob Quigley

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Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
00:57

Joan Rivers

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Peter Marshall on Joan Rivers on Hollywood Squares
00:49

George C. Scott

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Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: George C. Scott
02:21

Fred Silverman

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Peter Marshall on the history of Hollywood Squares before he became host
03:54

Gloria Swanson

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Peter Marshall on Gloria Swanson appearing on Hollywood Squares
01:20

Leslie Uggams

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Peter Marshall on hosting the show Fantasy with Leslie Uggams
01:21

Vivian Vance

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Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show
04:34

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