Tagrel
01-26-2004, 09:52 PM
ABC is going to see if they can revive this one more time - and they have upped the ante!
The 'Super Millionaire' answer
(CNN) -- It was a phenomenon. Then it crashed. Then it emerged in syndication. Now ABC is trying to revive it in prime time -- at least for a week.
The network is bringing back "Who Wants to Be a Millionare," complete with host Regis Philbin, for five days in late February.
According to an ABC press release, the new version will be known as "Super Millionaire," and the top prize will be $10 million -- up from the $1 million contestants could win on the original program (an amount that continues on the syndicated version, hosted by Meredith Vieira).
" 'Super Millionaire' will take the format to a whole new level," producer Michael Davies said in the statement.
Details were still rather sketchy. The new show will include the familiar three lifelines but add others at a certain level of the game, at which point "the game will 'morph' into a new dimension," the statement said.
The network and producers still haven't decided how to choose contestants for the new shows. The original show depended on a phone quiz, which later changed to more of a demographic contestant search.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" was the No. 1 show of the 1999-2000 season. "Super Millionaire" will air February 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27.
Original CNN news blurb (http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/01/26/showbuzz/index.html#1)
The 'Super Millionaire' answer
(CNN) -- It was a phenomenon. Then it crashed. Then it emerged in syndication. Now ABC is trying to revive it in prime time -- at least for a week.
The network is bringing back "Who Wants to Be a Millionare," complete with host Regis Philbin, for five days in late February.
According to an ABC press release, the new version will be known as "Super Millionaire," and the top prize will be $10 million -- up from the $1 million contestants could win on the original program (an amount that continues on the syndicated version, hosted by Meredith Vieira).
" 'Super Millionaire' will take the format to a whole new level," producer Michael Davies said in the statement.
Details were still rather sketchy. The new show will include the familiar three lifelines but add others at a certain level of the game, at which point "the game will 'morph' into a new dimension," the statement said.
The network and producers still haven't decided how to choose contestants for the new shows. The original show depended on a phone quiz, which later changed to more of a demographic contestant search.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" was the No. 1 show of the 1999-2000 season. "Super Millionaire" will air February 22, 23, 24, 26 and 27.
Original CNN news blurb (http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/01/26/showbuzz/index.html#1)