CBS is planning to bring back the classic game show Hollywood Squares this January, rebooting the popular franchise that previously aired for 14 seasons on NBC. The show will be hosted by Nate Burleson, a former NFL wide receiver who appears on The NFL Today and CBS Mornings on the network. Additionally, he was part of the alternate broadcast for Super Bowl LVIII on Nickelodeon and Paramount+ and is frequently lauded for his versatility. Boomer Esiason, who used to work with Burleson at CBS, reacted to the news on the Boomer & Gio show Wednesday morning.
Co-host Gregg Giannotti introduced the segment by explaining that there had been a change in game show hosts of late. Pat Sajak, the famed Wheel of Fortune host who retired after being on more than 8,000 episodes of the show over 41 seasons, recently retired from the program. Ryan Seacrest will assume the role of host on the program for new episodes expected to premiere in September.
Giannotti then explained that he found out Hollywood Squares was returning and asked Esiason to guess who would be the host and who would occupy the center square. Esiason ended up correctly guessing Nate Burleson as host and Drew Barrymore in the center square on the first try, professing that he had no prior knowledge.
“No, I did not know that, but I just figured it was just a natural fit following the footsteps of Michael Strahan,” Esiason explained. “…And Nate just has a wealth of talent, and he’s bright; he’s up on pop culture. He’s perfect for this.”
There was some disbelief among those in the studio that Esiason genuinely guessed these personalities correctly without possessing knowledge of such decisions beforehand. Yet Esiason explained that he was aware of what each person would bring to the show, especially having worked with Burleson and appearing on Barrymore’s program in the past.
“Let’s be honest – if anything new is happening, Nate Burleson is involved,” producer Al Dukes said. “They are booking him on every show they can.”
“Exactly, and rightfully so,” Esiason replied.
CBS Sports announced that Boomer Esiason and Phil Simms would not be returning to The NFL Today for the 2024 NFL season. Esiason explained that he made the decision to step away from the show after 22 years on the air and that he felt the coverage of Super Bowl LVIII was indicative of his “swan song.” Furthermore, Esiason signed a new multiyear contract extension with Audacy that will keep him on WFAN for several years to come. Giannotti was curious to know if Esiason would ever consider appearing on the show and occupying one of the squares, a hypothetical inquiry that he declined.
“I don’t have time,” Esiason said.
“Yeah, you do,” Giannotti replied.
“No, I have my time now,” Esiason answered. “It’s my time.”
Esiason also explained that game shows are cheap to produce and tape several episodes per day, thus minimizing production time and accommodating schedules. For example, former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan hosts The $100,000 Pyramid on ABC while also co-hosting Good Morning America on the network and appearing on FOX for its FOX NFL Sunday program during the NFL season. Giannotti was curious to know if CBS would have Bill Cowher of The NFL Today appear in one of the squares, and Esiason answered that he could see it happening if it implemented a sports theme.
“But just for the hell of it?,” Giannotti asked.
“No, I don’t see that,” Esiason replied.
The Hollywood Squares game show utilizes two contestants who play a game of tic-tac-toe to win money and prizes utilizing a board with celebrities answering questions. It is up to the contestants to determine if the celebrities are telling the truth or if they are lying in order to win the game.
