Greetings, Quickbeam here–
On tonight’s (Wednesday) broadcast of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, the following Tolkien-inspired dialogue occurred during a $2,000 dollar game near the end of the show:
Tom Bergeron (host): In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” what is the name of the little mushroom-loving creatures in the story?
Mark McGrath (from Sugar Ray): Uh, that would be Grateful Dead fans…
[audience laughter]
[close-up of Whoopi Goldberg laughing at Bruce Vilanch]
Tom: Ha-ha.
Mark: No, seriously, the answer is “Lilliputians.”
Contestant Mr. X: I disagree.
Tom: HOBBITS! It was Hobbits, X gets the square!
[audience applause]
I thought this whole exchange was amusing, and obviously Mark McGrath was reading a “bluff answer” the producers gave him. Actually, it sounded like one of Bruce Vilanch’s jokes (he writes for the show). Anyway, just thought I’d share with you….
Much too hasty,
Quickbeam
