Tic-tac-toe just got a massive facelift. If you’ve been scrolling through your guide wondering why your Wednesday nights suddenly feel like a flashback to the 70s, it’s because CBS officially brought back the big cubes. The hollywood squares 2025 cast isn't just a random assortment of B-list names; it’s a surprisingly heavy-hitting lineup that somehow bridges the gap between TikTok trends and classic sitcom nostalgia.
Honestly, the energy is different this time. We’ve seen revivals fail because they try too hard to be "cool" or stay too stuck in the past. But having Drew Barrymore anchored in that center square? It’s kind of a stroke of genius. She has that specific "everybody’s best friend" vibe that works for a show where the whole point is to be playfully deceived.
Who is in the Hollywood Squares 2025 Cast?
The roster for the inaugural season of this revival is actually pretty deep. CBS didn't just grab whoever was available in the studio lot that day. They went for a mix of legendary comedians, reality stars, and genuine A-listers.
One of the biggest draws early on was the return of Jay Leno. Seeing him back in a comedy chair feels right, even if it's just to crack jokes about a contestant's lack of trivia knowledge. Then you have Tyra Banks, who brings that high-energy chaotic energy we loved on Top Model.
But let’s talk about the comedy heavyweights. The show has leaned hard into the stand-up scene. You’ve got:
💡 You might also like: List of Hunter x Hunter Episodes: The Only Order That Actually Makes Sense
- Whitney Cummings (bringing her signature sharp wit)
- Tiffany Haddish
- Pete Holmes
- Nicole Byer
- Lil Rel Howery
It’s not just about the jokes, though. The 2025 revival has a weirdly great mix of actors you actually recognize from shows you binge-watch. Julie Bowen from Modern Family has been a standout, as has Yvette Nicole Brown. And for the fans of the truly irreverent, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog actually occupies a square. Watching a hand puppet roast a contestant while Drew Barrymore giggles in the center is exactly the kind of television we needed this year.
Why Nate Burleson is the Perfect Host
A lot of people were skeptical when Nate Burleson was announced as host. Why an NFL guy for a comedy game show?
Basically, it works because he’s a professional "vibe manager." If you’ve seen him on CBS Mornings, you know he has this smooth, unflappable presence. On Hollywood Squares, he’s the straight man to a bunch of eccentric comedians. He keeps the game moving without letting the celebrities completely hijack the broadcast.
The premiere actually got pushed back a week to January 16, 2025, due to the wildfires in Los Angeles, but once it hit the air, the chemistry between Burleson and Barrymore was immediate. He treats her like a co-pilot rather than just a guest, which makes the whole "center square" dynamic feel more integral to the show's structure than previous versions.
The Secret Sauce: The Center Square
In the history of this show, the center square is everything. You had Paul Lynde. You had Whoopi Goldberg. Now, we have Drew.
The hollywood squares 2025 cast relies on Barrymore to be the heart of the show. She isn't just there to give answers; she's an executive producer. You can tell she had a hand in picking some of these guests. When someone like Glenn Close or Ariana DeBose shows up in a square, it feels like they’re there because they actually like Drew, not just because their publicist told them to do it.
Wait, did I mention Glenn Close? Yeah. The Season 2 premiere (which actually kicked off in early January 2026) featured the Oscar-nominated actress. Seeing a performer of her caliber playing a game of tic-tac-toe is the kind of "prestige-meets-silly" vibe that makes this version stand out.
Breaking Down the Guest Rotations
The show doesn't keep the same nine people every week, which is why the "cast" list is so long. They rotate them to keep the banter fresh.
In the first few months of 2025, we saw people like Anthony Anderson, Joel McHale, and even Padma Lakshmi. The variety is the point. You might get an episode that feels like a Saturday Night Live reunion with Bobby Moynihan and Kevin Nealon, or you might get a weirdly musical episode featuring Chaka Khan or Meghan Trainor.
They even did a "Legacy" episode recently that brought back Tom Bergeron and Howie Mandel. It was a nice nod to the show's history without feeling like a funeral for the old format.
How to Watch and What to Expect
If you're trying to catch the latest episodes, here is the deal. CBS has moved the show around a bit, but it generally lands on Wednesday nights as part of their "Game Night" lineup.
- Check CBS on Wednesdays: It usually airs at 8:00 PM or 10:00 PM ET, depending on the season's scheduling.
- Paramount+ is your friend: If you miss it live, you can stream it the next day.
- Watch for the Specials: They’ve been doing themed nights, like the Christmas specials with Tim Meadows and Ana Gasteyer.
The reality is that Hollywood Squares lives or dies on the "zingers." The questions are almost secondary. You're watching to see if Arsenio Hall can make a contestant believe a total lie about a historical fact.
If you want to keep up with the rotating guest list, the best move is to follow the official CBS social accounts or check the Paramount Press Express releases. They usually announce the "Squares" for the upcoming month in batches.
Pro tip: Keep an eye out for the episodes featuring RuPaul and Ross Mathews. Their rapport with the rest of the board is usually the funniest 22 minutes of television you’ll see all week.
To stay ahead of the curve, set a series recording on your DVR or "My List" on Paramount+ so you don't miss the surprise cameos that aren't always in the promo trailers. Watching how the celebrities interact in the background of each other's squares is half the fun.