'Millionaire' Undergoing Changes for Next Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 08-20-2008, 10:43 PM

Link

Underrated Disney-ABC game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which opens season No. 7 in first-run syndication on Sept. 8, will feature some changes next season.

The contestants will now answer questions against a clock, with the timing as follows: 15 seconds for the first five questions, 30 seconds for the next five questions, 45 seconds for the next four, and 45 seconds plus banked time for the final million dollar question.

There will also be a new �Ask the Expert� lifeline in a partnership with Skype, where experts will appear via a live-to-face video call. And the Double Dip lifeline will be revived, giving contestants two guesses on any question.

Schmoopie · 08-21-2008, 02:18 AM

I hate to burst anyone's bubble here, but I think it's ridiculous that they have the "call a friend" feature on this show. The contestants aren't losing anything by being on the show, so who cares if they get the question wrong or not?! I have seen this show many times and the thing that annoys me most is when they are pondering over an answer as though they are going to be exceuted if they get it wrong!

Andrea

Dr Will Hatch · 08-21-2008, 10:26 AM

I don't like them being timed. The fact that they have unlimited time rathcets up the suspense to the nth degree

catlover79 · 08-21-2008, 11:40 AM

I didn't even know it was still on the air.

JT · 08-21-2008, 02:47 PM

That sucks, IMO. Really. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to edit it down so that the show has less of a serialized format and more of a one-game-per-show set-up.

JulieSomoski · 08-21-2008, 03:38 PM

This sucks. Millionaire is the only daytime gameshow I watch on television, and it seems to me like they're trying to put the nail in the coffin with this show. It's not like ratings have been sinking, because I actually think ratings were up in season 6 from season 5. It's still the top rated syndicated gameshow, so why try to mess with it?

The time limit as absolutely horrendous - some people need more time to answer a question, and now the contestants are going to be pushed to give an answer or not. Makes no sense to me at all.

The Great One · 08-21-2008, 04:02 PM

Does anyone know if there will be a new host for the show?

JulieSomoski · 08-21-2008, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great One

Does anyone know if there will be a new host for the show?

I'm sure Meredith will be back - she's really a great host for the show. I'd be pissed if she wasn't coming back as host

The Great One · 08-21-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

I'm sure Meredith will be back - she's really a great host for the show. I'd be pissed if she wasn't coming back as host

I agree!!! She's the best. I feel very calm when I watch her on the show.

JulieSomoski · 08-21-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great One

I agree!!! She's the best. I feel very calm when I watch her on the show.

Yeah, she's definitely a great host and very underrated on Millionaire. Personally, I like her better than Regis only because Regis always tries to make the show about himself, but Merideth always makes sure to put the contestants in the spotlight!

howilu · 08-22-2008, 01:43 AM

I think it's a terrible idea to put the contestants against the clock. Millionaire has been a success primarily because it builds drama and suspense when the contestants take their time on a big money question. Leave the format alone. As for Meredith Viera, she has done what Betty White, Vicki Lawrence, Elaine Joyce and Louise DuArt failed to accomplish--host a game show with a long, healthy run.

howierules86 · 08-22-2008, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I didn't even know it was still on the air.

I'm surprised Meredith Vieira's version has even lasted this long (6 years?!) to begin with for the following reasons:

1. It took me four (yes, four) years just to warm up to Meredith Vieira hosting this version. (I was a big fan of Regis' version, BTW.)

2. The removal of the "Fastest Finger" competition (At least that gave contestants some sort of incentive to have to get to the hot seat).

3. From what I've seen (I probably only watch this version only once a month at best), contestants really have been taking too much time to answer the questions.

4. It was on this version that the "Wait until after the commercial to reveal the answer" thing was done to a contestant for the first time. As soon as Meredith did that, I immediately changed the channel. (This was never done on Regis' version, BTW.) In addition, this also takes away a contestant interview in the process.

JulieSomoski · 08-22-2008, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by howierules86

I'm surprised Meredith Vieira's version has even lasted this long (6 years?!) to begin with for the following reasons:

1. It took me four (yes, four) years just to warm up to Meredith Vieira hosting this version. (I was a big fan of Regis' version, BTW.)

2. The removal of the "Fastest Finger" competition (At least that gave contestants some sort of incentive to have to get to the hot seat).

3. From what I've seen (I probably only watch this version only once a month at best), contestants really have been taking too much time to answer the questions.

4. It was on this version that the "Wait until after the commercial to reveal the answer" thing was done to a contestant for the first time. As soon as Meredith did that, I immediately changed the channel. (This was never done on Regis' version, BTW.) In addition, this also takes away a contestant interview in the process.

I don't mind the fastest finger thing not being on this version, only because without it, it ensures that every contestant has a chance to win money. And when did a contestant every have to wait to find out an answer after the commercial? I don't recall that ever happening on any version of Millionaire, but I could be wrong. I do know, though, that this doesn't happen now.

The Great One · 08-22-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Yeah, she's definitely a great host and very underrated on Millionaire. Personally, I like her better than Regis only because Regis always tries to make the show about himself, but Merideth always makes sure to put the contestants in the spotlight!

It would be great if Merideth ends up getting her own talk show.

JulieSomoski · 08-22-2008, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Great One

It would be great if Merideth ends up getting her own talk show.

She is basically the only reason I still watch the Today Show - I love her interviewing styles.

08-20-2008, 10:43 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,377	'Millionaire' Undergoing Changes for Next Season Link Underrated Disney-ABC game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, which opens season No. 7 in first-run syndication on Sept. 8, will feature some changes next season. The contestants will now answer questions against a clock, with the timing as follows: 15 seconds for the first five questions, 30 seconds for the next five questions, 45 seconds for the next four, and 45 seconds plus banked time for the final million dollar question. There will also be a new �Ask the Expert� lifeline in a partnership with Skype, where experts will appear via a live-to-face video call. And the Double Dip lifeline will be revived, giving contestants two guesses on any question.
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08-21-2008, 02:18 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I hate to burst anyone's bubble here, but I think it's ridiculous that they have the "call a friend" feature on this show. The contestants aren't losing anything by being on the show, so who cares if they get the question wrong or not?! I have seen this show many times and the thing that annoys me most is when they are pondering over an answer as though they are going to be exceuted if they get it wrong! Andrea
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08-21-2008, 11:40 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I didn't even know it was still on the air.
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08-21-2008, 02:47 PM	#5
JT Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 29, 2001 Location: USA Posts: 7,223	That sucks, IMO. Really. I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to edit it down so that the show has less of a serialized format and more of a one-game-per-show set-up.
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08-21-2008, 03:38 PM	#6
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	This sucks. Millionaire is the only daytime gameshow I watch on television, and it seems to me like they're trying to put the nail in the coffin with this show. It's not like ratings have been sinking, because I actually think ratings were up in season 6 from season 5. It's still the top rated syndicated gameshow, so why try to mess with it? The time limit as absolutely horrendous - some people need more time to answer a question, and now the contestants are going to be pushed to give an answer or not. Makes no sense to me at all.
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08-21-2008, 10:26 AM	#3
Dr Will Hatch Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 11, 2008 Location: Potterville Posts: 33	I don't like them being timed. The fact that they have unlimited time rathcets up the suspense to the nth degree

08-21-2008, 04:02 PM	#7
The Great One Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 29, 2006 Posts: 6,378	Does anyone know if there will be a new host for the show?
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08-22-2008, 01:43 AM	#11
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,961	I think it's a terrible idea to put the contestants against the clock. Millionaire has been a success primarily because it builds drama and suspense when the contestants take their time on a big money question. Leave the format alone. As for Meredith Viera, she has done what Betty White, Vicki Lawrence, Elaine Joyce and Louise DuArt failed to accomplish--host a game show with a long, healthy run.