Super Millionaire -- 5 Night Event on ABC, starts Feb. 22 -- and AGAIN May 16

[Pavan]

For one week Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? is back on ABC! I'm for one am excited. And, this special week will be called Super Millionaire. The jackpot is ten times more, at 10 million! Should be a ratings hit for that week. Here is the article, with the official release following it:

ABC has taken Regis Philbin out of mothballs, reviving onetime network staple "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in time for February sweeps.
Hoping to improve the network's sweeps fortunes, a special primetime "Super Millionaire" version of the gamer will air five times during the week of Feb. 22. Special will bow that Sunday at 9, followed by editions on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 10 p.m. (ABCn is running a two-hour finale of "The Bachelorette" on that Wednesday.)

"Millionaire" hasn't been seen in ABC primetime since 2002; a daytime version hosted by Meredith Vieira continues to do well for Disney's Buena Vista syndie arm.

At its height, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" propelled ABC to No. 1 and destroyed virtually everything rival networks put opposite it. ABC ultimately won the 1999-2000 TV season among adults 18-49 thanks to the monster hit.

"Millionaire" began as a two-week special in August 1999, returning that November before officially joining the net's schedule in January 2000. At one point, ABC scheduled four weekly installments of the gamer, leading many to believe that ABC might burn it out.

That prediction eventually came to fruition, and ABC execs admitted they may have prematurely worn the show out by airing it so often. Show was pulling a fraction of its first-season ratings by the time ABC execs retired it.

This time around, the special "Super Millionaire" will extend all dollar figures 10 times, meaning players will ultimately vie for $10 million.

ABC has shown a new appetite for gamers as of late. Net recently picked up six episodes of the Endemol USA contest "Deal or No Deal" (Daily Variety, Jan, 15).





_________________________________________

ABC ANNOUNCES "SUPER MILLIONAIRE"

A FIVE-NIGHT TELEVISION EVENT FOR FEBRUARY HOSTED BY REGIS PHILBIN

$10 MILLION DOLLAR TOP PRIZE



Monday, January 26, 2004 . . . The ABC Television Network today announced a television event for February – "SUPER MILLIONAIRE." As with the original, primetime version, contestants from across the country will attempt to navigate 15 multiple-choice questions for cash, but this time the stakes are higher…much higher. The dollar value of the easiest question starts at $1,000, and quickly escalates from there, with the final question worth $10,000,000. In addition to the 3 lifelines so familiar to millions of Americans, "Super Millionaire" will add new lifelines at a certain level of the game. At that point, the game will "morph" into a new dimension, and the stakes and tension will be at levels never seen before on network television. Regis Philbin will host and Michael Davies will executive produce. Celador, the UK company which created "Who Wants to be a Millionaire," has overseen the development of the new format. Paul Smith, managing director of Celador Productions, will continue to executive produce alongside Mr. Davies, for Diplomatic Television.

Airdates for "Super Millionaire" are as follows:

Sunday, February 22 9:00 – 10:00 p.m., ET
Monday, February 23 10:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET
Tuesday, February 24 10:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET
Thursday, February 26 10:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET
Friday, February 27 10:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET

"For months, we have been carefully monitoring the environment to determine if the time is right for a new, totally amped up version of Millionaire – broadcast in its original, event-like form," said Lloyd Braun, Chairman, ABC Entertainment Television Group. " We think this is the time."

Mr. Davies added, "Celador's Millionaire is perhaps the greatest game show format ever devised - a global phenomenon, beloved by its fans, it has been an enormous hit all over the world. In the US, Regis Philbin made this the most successful prime time game show of all time, and now, Meredith Vieira hosts a fantastically successful, five day a week version of the game. With its new lifelines, music, graphics and zeros, "Super Millionaire" will take the format to a whole new level. We are currently gearing up for the tremendous demand we expect from regular Americans wanting their chance at the $10 million top prize. And Regis is back - let's call this installment, The Return Of The King."

Details for how people from across the country can qualify to participate in "Super Millionaire" will be announced in a subsequent release at a later date.

On the televised show, ten finalists will compete against each other in the Fastest Finger Round to answer one question. The winner then attempts to navigate 15 multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty on a broad range of topics, for cash prizes up to $10 million. The questions increase in dollar value from $1,000 to $10 million. Contestants get to see each question before deciding whether or not to advance. Contestants can choose to walk away at any time with what they’ve won so far. But, if they have the courage to go for it, they could become instant multi-millionaires.

"Super Millionaire" is produced by Valleycrest Productions, Ltd. Michael Davies and Paul Smith are executive producers.

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," hosted by Meredith Vieira, currently airs in syndication across the U.S. Since its syndication debut in 2002, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" has shown tremendous success. The show continues to achieve extraordinary growth in its second season in syndication, up 32 percent over last year's household ratings, which tops all other first-run strips. Millionaire’s growth is even stronger in the women 25-54 demographic, posting a 36 percent increase over last year. In the most recent week (January 5-11, 2004), the show achieved an all-time high, delivering a 4.1 household rating and a 2.3 ratin among women 25-54. Millionaire also has shown year-to-year growth in all three major daypart time periods including daytime (up 33 percent), early fringe (up 11 percent), and access (up 43 percent).

[Brent88]

SUPER!!!!

[JD2635]

I think it's about time Millionaire came back. Albeit the stakes are higher, the game is more intense and Regis though still wearing the American Flag pin, I think I've gotten over the anti-american hate over American Flag after the 9/11 attacks and the extreme hatred for patriotic people. I think now Regge should at least not be like the post 9/11 shows. I think Super Millionaire is better than ever.

[Pavan]

Two new lifelines! More info:

NEW LIFELINES ADD NEW DIMENSION TO “SUPER MILLIONAIRE”


“Three Wise Men” & “Double Dip” Added to Help Contestants Win $10 Million


“Super Millionaire,” the new version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” offering a staggering top prize of $10 million, will also feature two dynamic, new lifelines when it premieres SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. The two new lifelines are “Three Wise Men” and “Double Dip” and were developed by Celador, the U.K.-based company which created the original, globe-onquering “Millionaire” format in 1998. The U.S. will be the first country to see the new lifelines, and “Super Millionaire” will be the richest version of more than 80 international versions of the game.

The new, pulse-pounding game will feature fastest-finger, a fifteen question “tree” and two “lock-in” levels just like the original “Millionaire,” which debuted on ABC in August 1999. However the first question of the new tree will now be worth $1,000, and contestants reach the first lock-in level on the
fifth question, worth $5,000. The second lock-in level is at $100,000 on the 10th question.

Contestants who correctly answer the $100,000 question will be rewarded with the two new lifelines to help them to climb the dizzying heights of the final five questions, worth $500,000, $1 million, $2.5 million, $5 million and $10 million. Furthermore, if they still have any, or all, of their original lifelines -- “Ask the Audience”, “Phone a Friend” or “50/50” – they can use them
in combination with “Double Dip” and “Three Wise Men” to maximize their chances of winning an enormous prize.

The “Three Wise Men” lifeline gives the contestant access, via live video and audio feed, to three very smart people who have been sequestered backstage waiting to come to the aid of a contestant in crisis. These experts, drawn from such worlds as journalism, academia and quiz show giants, will have thirty
seconds to look at the question, discuss it amongst themselves and come up with an answer.

“Double Dip” is a dramatic new lifeline that will give the contestant two shots at answering a question. It will be the first lifeline in the history of “Millionaire” to commit the contestant to answering the question – i.e. after a contestant has confirmed that he or she wants to use “Double Dip,” there will no longer be the option of walking away. Also it is interesting to note that
“50/50,” when played with “Double Dip,” guarantees the contestant will get the question right. It is likely the tactical use and value of “50/50” in “Super Millionaire” play will be significantly transformed.

“Super Millionaire’s” telephone lines for contestant qualification open promptly at 7:00 p.m., ET, on Monday, February 16, and will be open for eight consecutive hours each day at the same times until closing promptly at 3:00 a.m., ET, on Tuesday, February 24. Callers are limited to one call per person per contest day, and must be at least 18 years old, U.S. residents and meet all eligibility requirements to qualify. The toll-free contestant phone line is: 1-800-999-7878.

An alternate qualification process has been established for players who have a disability that prevents them from using a telephone to play the telephone game. These players can visit the ABC Web site -- www.abc.com -- and type in millionaire as the keyword for more information.

The “Super Millionaire” specials air:

Sunday, February 22 9:00-10:00 p.m., ET
Monday, February 23 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET
Tuesday, February 24 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET
Thursday, February 26 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET
Friday, February 27 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET

“Super Millionaire” is produced by Valleycrest Productions, Ltd. Michael Davies and Paul Smith are executive producers. Co-executive producers are Leigh Hampton and Vincent Rubino.

For official rules go to www.abc.com: keyword Millionaire, or send a self-addressed and stamped envelope to Millionaire Rules, 30 West 67th Street Ground Floor, NY, NY 10023.

[EricIdlefan]

I always and also thought that there should be extra lifelines when the show premiered in August of 1999. Glad that there will be five instead of the usual three and $10 million but with taxes the winner and/or winners will take home and pocket at least $4-5 million!!

[ClassicComedyFan2]

I'm looking forward to this gameshow, for sure!

Now, GSN, could you bring Scrabble to your network, please.

[Pavan]

The 10 contestants for "Night One" has been announced:

Ten finalists have been selected from across the country to compete for $10 million in the premiere presentation of "Super Millionaire," the amped-up version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," Night One airing SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Following is a listing of the 10 finalists:
1. Todd Kim, Washington, DC
2. Don Bangiovi, Merrimac, MA
3. John Neville, Mountain Brook, AL
4. Gloria Skibinski, Muskego, WI
5. Dale Samberg, West Chester, OH
6. Tim Szetela, Dearborn, MI
7. Rick Kestenbaum, Branchburg, NJ
8. John Morgan, Charlotte, NC
9. Robert Essig, Ashtabula, OH
10. Anthony Poirier, Rochester, MN

[Brent88]

There's someone from Alabama!!!



This is gonna be awesome!

[Pavan]

The king is back ...

[Pavan]

9 contestants for "Night Two:"

Nine more finalists have been selected to compete for $10 million in “Super Millionaire,” airing MONDAY, FEB. 23 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Regis Philbin hosts the new and amped-up version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

Following is a listing of the nine finalists:

1. Terry Schnurr, Rochester, NY
2. Laurel Andrews, Pittsfield, MA
3. Brad Boose, Columbus, OH
4 .Janet Orminati, Lakehurst, NJ
5. Doug Ralls, Brentwood, TN
6. Raymon Colbert, Tarzana, CA
7. Ken Wagner, Huntington Beach, CA
8. Christopher Gray, Gainsville, FL
9. Liz Simon, Gaithersburg, MD

[Brent88]

Originally posted by pavanbadal
The king is back ...

AWESOME!!!

[Brent88]

This is TOTALLY AWESOME! Regis making jokes about the audience...

This is a great show...

[Brent88]

Oh man... the condom question is a riot!



It's the first guy and it was the $500,000 question. He used the Three Wise Men and the Double Dip lifeline and got it on the final choice on Double Dip.

[IGNTBone]

Did anyone here actually call in to the qualifying phone number? I did all last week....nada. It wasn't a case of knowing the questions or not. What trips you up is remembering which answer corrosponds with which number. Oh well, at least I tried.

[EricIdlefan]

Hope they don't bring it back as a weekly series and rub it to the ground!!