CBS has ordered up six episodes of "Million Dollar Password," an update on the game show classic.

Set for midseason, the new "Password" will be hosted by Regis Philbin and produced by FremantleMedia North America.

"'Password' is one of the all time classic game shows and we're thrilled to bring it back to television," says Ghen Maynard, CBS' alternative programming guru. "And what better person to host it than one of today's preeminent personalities, the ever enthusiastic and beloved Regis Philbin."

The original "Password" was hosted by Allen Ludden and aired on CBS in both daytime and primetime from 1961 to 1967. "Password" evolved into "Password Plus" and "Super Password" and aired from 1971-1989.

"Million Dollar Password" will film in New York and will keep the basic formula from the original show. Two teams, each composed of a semi-celebrity and a contestant, will attempt to guess a secret password. The team with the high school and roll over their money for the chance at a final round prize worth potentially a million bucks.

"We're very excited to re-introduce one of the greatest game shows in the history of American television to a whole new audience," says FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz ("American Idol"). "With new twists, higher stakes, a one million dollar grand prize and the one and only Regis Philbin at the helm, we're confident viewers will tune in to re-discover the format that helped to define the game show genre as we know it."

Philbin's hosting credits include "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," "America's Got Talent," all manner of special events and, of course, the daytime show currently known as "Live with Regis & Kelly."

A sound idea,but what is a semi-celebrity?

I love the idea of Regis hosting this revival, but given Pearson/All-American/Fremantle's track record with reviving game shows out of the Goodson-Todman library (particularly MG'98, CS'01, and Temptation), as much as I hate to be, I'm honestly somewhat worried with how the format will be executed.

How in heaven's name do they expect to make a bonus round for a show like this worth $1,000,000? $100,000 I can understand, but a million?! Hopefully it won't be, but I'm a bit worried that this will wind up looking like "Mo' Money Syndrome" at its finest.

when you mean Midseason you mean 2008

Great idea, but it would have been better had they gone ahead and done it "Password Plus" style, with the extra puzzle and the awesome Alphabetics bonus round. I would love it if someone would do a decent remake of P+ for daytime or syndication.

Great idea, but it would have been better had they gone ahead and done it "Password Plus" style, with the extra puzzle and the awesome Alphabetics bonus round. I would love it if someone would do a decent remake of P+ for daytime or syndication.
That would be awesome. The pre-November 1981 format ruled all.

Wow, I wonder why Regis is so disliked by a lot of people on the GSN boards? (Note that I don't actually post there, I just lurk there.)

That's all fine and dandy, but if Regis is going to leave the show eventually, then why bother? He did that with WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE. I loved watching WWTBM when Regis hosted, but as soon as he stopped, I too stopped watching that game show.

I used to love Password with the late great allen Ludden but, REGIS? Hes my third least favorite choice after Drew Cary and Pat Sajak! :(

It's hard to follow in anyone's footsteps, much less a legend like Allen Ludden. Best of luck to Regis.

Wow, I wonder why Regis is so disliked by a lot of people on the GSN boards? (Note that I don't actually post there, I just lurk there.)
Not quite that many hate him. I personally loved him on the show and really like the guy. A couple of them are just pissed because GSN airs WWTBAM too much.

semi-celebrity n.
1. Any D-list stooge who was once in the limelight (any dancing with the stars members) or someone famous for being famous (any of the many Paris Hilton plastic bimbo clones with obligatory, insipid miniature dogs).

2. Gary Coleman

Maybe the new Password will dig up Betty White, Richard Kline, Jamie Faar, Richard Simmons, and the plethora of other Convy-ites from the 80s run (who are still alive. RIP Mr. Belvedere, Tom Poston, Phyllis Diller...no wait, she's 90 and kickin'!):)

Regis is great for a game show host. It will be nice having him back again.

Speaking of Ressurected Game Shows, will they ever re-air 'Whats my line'?

when is this show schedule to debut

"CBS Gives 'Password' to Regis Philbin"

:eek2: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

(Well, at least it wasnt given to Drew Cary)

Speaking of Ressurected Game Shows, will they ever re-air 'Whats my line'?

GSN is currently rerunning WML every morning at 3:00 AM ET, just before I've Got a Secret. Apparently (I am happy to say.) the contract to rerun Amazing Race at that hour has finally run out. Now if they'd only get rid of those poker shows. ;)

Any word if this will ever make it air?

Yep, it's just been announced today on zap2it.com. CBS is putting "Million Dollar Password" on Sunday nights at 8:00 PM starting June 1! :happyface

I'm actually looking forward to seeing this!

Looks like CBS is starting to promote this show on a frequent basis as I just saw a commercial for it during last night's TPIR MDS. :happyface (Apparently, I must be the only one who's excited to see this one.)

Hey, did you not read the post above you? :p :lol:

Hey, did you not read the post above you? :p :lol:

Oh, yeah. :o Well, at least that makes two of us! :happyface

I remember being forced to watch Million Dollar Password when it first came out and I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Regis Philbin host it because I was a mega Regis Philbin fan at the time and from what I saw of Million Dollar Password was a way for CBS to promote it's popular stars from their shows because half of the celebrities featured were on CBS shows with the exception of Betty White and Rachael Ray Susie Essman and Tony Hawk and Rosie O'Donnell but it seemed like CBS had high hopes for Million Dollar Password because Fremantle signed a deal with Target to sell a toy line of Million Dollar Password merchandise including a board game version of the show which I had gotten for Christmas one year but one thing that I found surprising is that after it got cancelled GSN picked up the reruns of Million Dollar Password but it would sure be cool if Password would make a comeback to TV in a better version but Million Dollar Password will always be remembered as Regis Philbin's comeback to the game show world
Bestie

Regis is 85 years old.

The password is...... I forget.