TV & VIDEO - July 20, 1989

In a version of dueling game-show hosts, former “Hollywood Squares” host Peter Marshall filed a $1-million-plus suit in Los Angeles County Superior Court Wednesday against Burt & Bert Productions, a company belonging to actor Burt Reynolds and game-show host Bert Convy. In the suit, Marshall claims he was bumped as host of the coming “3rd Degree” game show and replaced by Convy, who was not renewed as the host of the syndicated version of “Win, Lose or Draw.” Marshall hosted the pilot for “3rd Degree”--produced by Burt & Bert Productions and Kline & Friends, also named in the suit--and says announcements were made that he would host the show for the fall season. “We never made a formal announcement that he would be on the show,” executive producer Richard Kline said Wednesday in response to the suit. “We never even picked up the option to his contract.” Kline said Convy was chosen when he became available because he reflects the young demographics “3rd Degree” is after. Marshall, whose suit alleges fraud and breach of contract, seeks compensatory and punitive damages.