Wheel of Fortune. Double Dare. Let’s Make a Deal. Deal or No Deal. It’s safe to say that in the last several decades, America has grown up on game shows. But for the most part, the game shows were left to the main networks and the music was left to. . . .well. . . the music channels. In addition, reality TV and talent competitions took over for a while, leaving game shows to wonder where they fit in the picture. But this is almost 2020 and it’s a new day with a budding sense of creativity and freedom of expression spilling over into the next generation. With so much negativity and political uprisings being portrayed in the news, the country –and the world really—could stand a dose of wholesome, fun, and “you never know what you’re gonna get” entertainment.
Well, it seems that CMT heard the call and stepped up. That comes as no surprise to us here in Nashville, as CMT has grown since it’s humble beginnings in 1983 from just a music video supplier to a world class production conglomerate. On November 1st, 2019, bright neon X’s and O’s lit up TV and tablet screens everywhere, as Nashville Squares made its premiere on the syndicated network for a run of ten episodes, to be completed November 29th. Following in the parental footsteps of shows like Hollywood Squares and Hip Hop Squares, Nashville Squares intensifies a hilarious and at times, outrageous, new perspective on the old game, Tic Tac Toe.
For those who don’t know how the game works, here’s a rundown. Nine celebrities take a sip of their drink (or a few 😉) and then make themselves comfortable in nine flashy boxes (three by three) that resemble walls and set pieces from an 80s skating rink. The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders kick things off (literally) to the sounds of the XO Band. Two celebrities that are usually somewhat related, (whether by personal or show business status) stand on either side of the host– funnyman Bob Saget–and compete against each other to win money for two of their fans. And by duos, we mean brothers Curtis and Brad Rempel from High Valley, Dukes of Hazzard stars Tom Wopat and Catherine Bach, Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna, songwriter BC Jean and husband, dancer Mark Ballas–the list goes on and on. The “boxes” must either answer trivia questions to the best of their ability or partipcate in an actual physical challenge. The end result either wins money for Team X or Team O. It sounds easy enough right? Wrong. It’s not what you think. Not at all. And that is the best part.
First, don’t let the title of the show confuse you. Nashville Squares is not secret code for “Nashville Circles.” This show is like a college reunion at a wedding or better yet, your favorite gathering of people for Friendsgiving. Dancers, comedians, race car drivers, actors—they all showed up for drinks, laughs, and games. Actresses Caroline Rhea and Melissa Peterman along with comedians Bill Engvall and Fortune Feimster keep the episodes crisp and entertaining. Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kenya Moore, Bravo’s Carson Kressley, and Miss USA, Cheslie Kryst, dropped by for some flare and friendly competition. And of course, Music City residents did show up for the craziness in true country fashion, like the time in episode 5, when self-proclaimed “country boys” Jimmie Allen and Mitchell Tenpenny help themselves to some squirrel meat after a jerky guessing game. Always the first to support women in country music, CMT made sure to include pioneers like Sara Evans, Deanna Carter, Marie Osmond, and recent four time Grammy nominee, Tanya Tucker.
In fact, The Country Note talked to two participants, who also happen to be Nashville roomies and best girlfriends. Mickey Guyton and Leah Turner had nothing but praise for CMT and the NS producers for their use of inclusion.
“It’s really cool to see that CMT is trying to push for diversity and make something fun to bring people together who otherwise may not necessarily be on the network, “Guyton noted. “CMT is changing the way they do things and what I really, really love about this is the fact that it’s produced by Dionne Harmon, Neal Konstantini, and Jesse Collins from Jesse Collins Entertainment. He’s an African American producer who has done some great award shows. He wanted to make sure representation was in the show, so he got Loni Love from The Real and Kyle Busch and Bill Engvall and Marie Osmond—such a wide variety. Tanya Tucker was my favorite—she is literally the Queen. And then you have Ty Pennington and Chris Sullivan from This Is Us. I love him so much. I have like a little hall pass crush on him or something. He’s so cute!”
Turner echoed Mickey’s sentiments on the casting.
“It was filmed in LA on such a cool set. You got to see people you normally don’t get to see—so much fun to hang out with everybody.” Like Guyton, Turner’s thoughts turned to Ms. Tucker. “Tanya!!! I mean she is The Queen. Everybody is a fan. Everybody wanted to be around her. And her dog. . .. oh my gosh. I just wanted to kidnap him and cuddle with him!” the dog lover squealed.
The show produced hysterical moments as it was meant to do, but cast members also shared sweet sentiments off camera. “When Tanya came on for her episode, two days prior to that I think one of her closest friends passed away. I know it was supposed to be funny, but it was a really beautiful moment. Everybody was so touched that she lost a dear friend and was still there and present and such a bad ass.” Guyton told The Country Note.
It wasn’t just Miss Delta Dawn herself that had everybody freaking out. For those who grew up in the 80s and 90s, you know what a staple Bob Saget was on Full House and America’s Funniest Home Videos.
“It’s so weird!” admits Guyton. “He’s America’s father along with Carol Winslow from Family Matters. Such a nostalgia feeling. I felt like I was almost in Stranger Things or something because it’s so nostalgic. His is the nicest person. He’s a really great and fun guy who really wants to lift people up.”
Turner may or may not have also fangirled over Bob Saget.
“I don’t know anybody who didn’t grow up with Full House and Danny Tanner! He is the nicest, coolest person. And so funny. So good at making everybody feel welcome.”
And as a viewer, the chemistry between Saget and the cast and the audience is obvious. During participant introductions as well as throughout the show, Saget really invests in who the celebrities are as human beings, not just what they do for a living. They share humorous stories of growing up and talk about their families and their hobbies, which Guyton found endearing.
“A lot of times people see me and hear my music and don’t realize how crazy I am. Letting people let loose and getting the chance to see people’s personalities is so important.”
It wasn’t just Saget putting everybody at ease. According to Turner, the entire cast and crew shared some special moments behind the scenes.
“The crew couldn’t believe how nice everybody was, especially from Nashville. We kept dressing rooms clean. And asked if we could help pick up. Everybody was super nice to the production assistants and the crew. We’re just so used to that here and I think they really loved that!”
And as far as the audience goes, there never seemed to be a dull moment. Unlike some game formats which focus strictly on trivia or athletic challenges, Nashville Squares provides a little bit of everything. Trivia questions are in full force and one would think they would all be about Nashville, making it easy for the country artists. But rest assured; they do not get special privileges. One question might be about the Opry, but the very next one might focus on sports or books or something even more off the wall, like an animal’s body part. And there is no prep whatsoever.
“I got the call to just do two episodes and I thought sure I’ll go out there and play some Tic Tac Toe. I was really nervous about it. I didn’t know what I was walking into and I’m the type of person who likes to be prepared and you can’t really be prepared for this,” Guyton admitted. “You get out there and they give you these rules—they give you like 15 mins prep and then they throw you out there!”
And just when it seems someone gets comfortable in their box, it’s time to get up and a play a game, like “What Ya Lickin”. Guyton became extremely familiar with that game and her face upon testing one of the objects was priceless. Mickey also commended the efforts of her co-stars.
“Jana Kramer and her husband Mike are so funny together. There was a game when Jana had to kick the football. We all had lots of doubts that she was not gonna make it. We had to be goal posts and when she kicked that and kicked it well. . . it was so much fun!”
The behind the scenes looks airing specially at cmt.com are pretty entertaining to watch too, like Chris Sullivan’s experience with “Goat Yoga.” Be sure and check all of those out, as well as old and new episodes of Nashville Squares. The last two episodes of Season 1 air this coming Friday, November 29th at 8/7c. Fingers crossed that Season Two is just around the corner! To follow Nashville Squares on Twitter, go to @CMTSquares and for Instagram, check out the action at @cmtnashvillesquares.