Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin will be among the Center Squares and adjustments will be made to make the fifth syndicated season of Hollywood Squares more viewer-friendly.

Executive producers Henry Winkler and Michael Levitt announced the signing of DeGeneres, who will kick off the season in the middle Sept. 16, and Baldwin Thursday.

"As longtime fans of the show, Michael and I are determined to bring viewers more of what they want, and we know we will with Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin," said Winkler in a media statement. "Ellen is one of Hollywood's sharpest wits, and we are thrilled that she's coming onboard as the first of our many rotating Center Squares. Alec is smart, unpredictable and has a wild sense of humor that is perfect for our new vision of the show."

"I grew up watching Hollywood Squares," DeGeneres said. "I even grew up watching Gunsmoke. Unfortunately, that's not on the air anymore. I'm afraid of horses anyway, and this seems like it will be a lot more fun. So, let the games begin."

The set is being redesigned and contestants will play the game standing, rather than sitting. A new bonus round will replace the critically-panned minute quiz and flawed double-or-nothing question of 2001-02. The new end game includes all nine celebrities and will allow the day's champion to have a shot at bigger cash and prizes.

Winkler and Levitt have also changed the theme music and enlivened the show's graphics. Another new feature will offer viewers a chance to submit their own questions. In addition, the series will be branded with a new logo, "H2."

Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin will be among the Center Squares and adjustments will be made to make the fifth syndicated season of Hollywood Squares more viewer-friendly.

Executive producers Henry Winkler and Michael Levitt announced the signing of DeGeneres, who will kick off the season in the middle Sept. 16, and Baldwin Thursday.

"As longtime fans of the show, Michael and I are determined to bring viewers more of what they want, and we know we will with Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin," said Winkler in a media statement. "Ellen is one of Hollywood's sharpest wits, and we are thrilled that she's coming onboard as the first of our many rotating Center Squares. Alec is smart, unpredictable and has a wild sense of humor that is perfect for our new vision of the show."

"I grew up watching Hollywood Squares," DeGeneres said. "I even grew up watching Gunsmoke. Unfortunately, that's not on the air anymore. I'm afraid of horses anyway, and this seems like it will be a lot more fun. So, let the games begin."

The set is being redesigned and contestants will play the game standing, rather than sitting. A new bonus round will replace the critically-panned minute quiz and flawed double-or-nothing question of 2001-02. The new end game includes all nine celebrities and will allow the day's champion to have a shot at bigger cash and prizes.

Winkler and Levitt have also changed the theme music and enlivened the show's graphics. Another new feature will offer viewers a chance to submit their own questions. In addition, the series will be branded with a new logo, "H2."

Alec Baldwin? Ick... When is he moving out of the country? :happyface :happyface :happyface

Good for Ellen.

I'm looking forward to the new Hollywood Squares.

Burt Reynolds has signed on for a two-week stint as center square for revamped syndicated game show The Hollywood Squares next season. Reynolds joins Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin, who will also keep the Whoopi-less center square warm. Sadly, what the new producers of The Hollywood Squares don't realize (are you listening, Fonz?) is that it's imperative to have one person in that anchor position. Making it a revolving chair takes away an element of comfort and familiarity from the series.

Originally posted by pavanbadal
Burt Reynolds has signed on for a two-week stint as center square for revamped syndicated game show The Hollywood Squares next season. Reynolds joins Ellen DeGeneres and Alec Baldwin, who will also keep the Whoopi-less center square warm. Sadly, what the new producers of The Hollywood Squares don't realize (are you listening, Fonz?) is that it's imperative to have one person in that anchor position. Making it a revolving chair takes away an element of comfort and familiarity from the series.

Ummm... The show has had revolving center squares MANY times before. Before and after Paul Lynde became the center square, it was a rotating seat. The seat rotated heavily in the 1986 version before going to Joan Rivers. This is not the first time that the chair has rotated, and that hasn't affected the game all that much. And, many of the semi-regulars still remain. Brad Garrett, Gilbert Gottfried, and a few others. Your statement that it is imperative to have an anchor position is bullfunky, in the words of Whoopi Goldberg.

Also, Peter Marshall, despite his public dislike of the show, has agreed to do a stint as the center square, and the show is making an attempt to lure other celebrities from the original version to do this show. Peter Marshall wanted to have Tom Burgeron serve as center square, but the producers said no.

She is definitely made for the center Square, like another Paul Lynde....lthe sharp wit she has to offer, is what the center Square is about.