About
"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."
In his two-hour interview, Peter Marshall (1926-2024) 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.
Highlights
Peter Marshall on his Emmys for Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on how he came to host Hollywood Squares
Full Interview
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
Peter Marshall on hosting the show Fantasy with Leslie Uggams
Hollywood Squares, The
Peter Marshall on working with his friend George Gobel on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on how he came to host Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on the history of Hollywood Squares before he became host
Peter Marshall on the first tapings of Hollywood Squares and changes he brought to the show
Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
Peter Marshall on the Hollywood Squares regulars and Paul Lynde leaving the show
Peter Marshall on solving Milton Berle's backstage problems on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on Gloria Swanson appearing on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.
Peter Marshall on Rose Marie on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on Cliff Arquette on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on Joan Rivers on Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on his Emmy Awards for Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on the production team of Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on the set of Hollywood Squares and the prizes
Peter Marshall on the cancellation of Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on returning to host the syndicated version of Hollywood Squares in 2002
Love Boat, The
Peter Marshall on guest-starring on The Love Boat
Lucy Show, The
Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show
Millionaire, The
Peter Marshall on guest-starring on The Millionaire and working with Paul Frees
WKRP in Cincinnati
Peter Marshall on various television acting roles after Hollywood Squares
Topics
Emmy Awards
Peter Marshall on his Emmys for Hollywood Squares
War
Peter Marshall on his service in World War II
World War II
Peter Marshall on his service in World War II
Professions
Game Show Host
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
Hosts
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
Genres
Game Shows
Peter Marshall on hosting Hollywood Squares
Peter Marshall on hosting Hollywood Squares
People
Cliff Arquette
Peter Marshall on Cliff Arquette on Hollywood Squares
Lucille Ball
Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show
Milton Berle
Peter Marshall on solving Milton Berle's backstage problems on Hollywood Squares
Wally Cox
Peter Marshall on Wally Cox on Hollywood Squares
Bill Cullen
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Peter Marshall on his friendship with Sammy Davis, Jr.
Richard Dawson
Peter Marshall on what makes a good game show host
Harry Friedman
Peter Marshall on the production team of Hollywood Squares
Robert Fuller
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
George Gobel
Peter Marshall on working with his friend George Gobel on Hollywood Squares
Helen Hayes
Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: Helen Hayes
Merrill Heatter
Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
Paul Lynde
Peter Marshall on the Hollywood Squares regulars and Paul Lynde leaving the show
Rose Marie
Peter Marshall on Rose Marie on Hollywood Squares
Groucho Marx
Peter Marshall on Groucho Marx not working for Hollywood Squares and Robert Fuller being the best game player
Walter Matthau
Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: Walter Matthau
Bob Quigley
Peter Marshall on working with producers Bob Quigley and Merrill Heatter on Hollywood Squares
Joan Rivers
Peter Marshall on Joan Rivers on Hollywood Squares
George C. Scott
Peter Marshall on some of the major stars who appeared on Hollywood Squares: George C. Scott
Fred Silverman
Peter Marshall on the history of Hollywood Squares before he became host
Gloria Swanson
Peter Marshall on Gloria Swanson appearing on Hollywood Squares
Leslie Uggams
Peter Marshall on hosting the show Fantasy with Leslie Uggams
Vivian Vance
Peter Marshall on acting on The Lucy Show