or


[01/26/04 - 12:00 AM]
ABC Revives 'Millionaire' for February Sweeps
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC is resurrecting its once white-hot "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" franchise for February sweeps, as the network announced over the weekend a special week-long event entitled "Super Millionaire."

"Super Millionaire" will kick off on Sunday, February 22 at 9:00/8:00c with subsequent installments on Monday, February 23; Tuesday, February 24; Thursday, February 26; and Friday, February 27 (all at 10:00/9:00c). Here's how ABC describes the event (via press release):

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.

"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," ABC topper Lloyd Braun said in the release. "We think this is the time."

Executive producer Michael 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."





  [january 2004]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE (ABC)





[08/09/25 - 07:01 PM]
"One Piece" - Netflix Announces Early Season 3 Renewal, Unveils First Look at Season 2
Out of today's annual One Piece Day celebration in Tokyo, Japan, Netflix shared a first look at the highly-anticipated season two of the epic pirate adventure series, returning in 2026.

[08/08/25 - 09:10 AM]
"Live with Kelly and Mark" Notches Summertime Win with Best Total Viewer Audience in Over Three Months
In addition, the show earned its best rating among Households in nine weeks and its best numbers among both Women 18-49 and Women 25-54 in five weeks.

[08/08/25 - 08:37 AM]
Disney Jr. Unveils New Slate at "Disney Jr. Let's Play!" Event
Highlights included new series "Cars: Lightning Racers," inspired by Disney and Pixar's Academy Award-winning "Cars" films, with Owen Wilson and Larry the Cable Guy reprising their iconic roles.

[08/08/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Love Con Revenge" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Cecilie Fjellhøy - from "The Tinder Swindler" - partners with a female private investigator to help other victims of romance fraud get genuine payback.

[08/08/25 - 06:06 AM]
FOX Sports Embarks on the 2025 NFL Season With the Most-Decorated Voices in Football
Following their celebrated call of Super Bowl LIX, which set an all-time viewership record, FOX NFL's lead announce team of critically acclaimed and award-winning play-by-play announcer Kevin Burkhardt and seven-time Super Bowl champion and analyst Tom Brady return for their second season together.

[08/08/25 - 12:01 AM]
Video: "Abandoned Man" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After serving time in prison for his brother's crime, a man warily reunites with family, finding hope and healing in a life-changing bond with his niece.

[08/07/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "Aema" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In 1980s Korea, a movie star and a starlet defy male-dominated industry rules and backstage corruption while filming the provocative "Madame Aema."

[08/07/25 - 04:01 PM]
Video: "Kiss or Die" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In a death kiss game unlike anything ever seen before, comedians' desires and improvisation spark non-stop laughs! Who will give the best kiss and become the protagonist?

[08/07/25 - 10:03 AM]
"Not So Fast, My Friend: A Lee Corso Special" to Debut August 22 on ESPN in Advance of the Legendary Analyst's Final "College GameDay" Show
The primetime special will highlight Corso's extraordinary life, his larger-than-life personality and the immeasurable impact he has had on college football as a player, coach and broadcaster.

[08/07/25 - 09:35 AM]
ESPN "Sunday Night Baseball Presented by Capital One" Schedule Update: Boston Red Sox Visit New York Yankees on August 24
With both teams in the MLB Postseason hunt, the matchup adds another chapter to baseball's most storied rivalry.

[08/07/25 - 09:06 AM]
VH1's "Nick Cannon Presents: Wild 'N Out" Celebrates 20th Anniversary with 20 New Episodes Starting September 1 at 9 PM ET/PT
Taped in front of a live audience in Atlanta, this upcoming slate reignites the high-energy, old-school vs. new-school competition, blending comedic legends and rising stars in a celebration of wild, unfiltered fun.

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
Roku Originals Books a Return Trip with Second Season Renewal of "Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross"
With record-breaking viewership, the series has become the most-watched unscripted Roku Original within the first two weeks of launch in terms of unique viewers.

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
"Wizards Beyond Waverly Place" Season 2 Premieres Sept. 12 on Disney Channel and Oct. 8 on Disney+
Joining Selena Gomez ("Alex Russo") in guest roles for the second season include Freya Skye (Piper), Harvey Guillén (Gossip Stone), Kirsten Vangsness (Bigelow McFigglehorn), Recker Eans (Quentin), Tobias Jelinek (Lord Morsus), Patrick Bristow (Wiz M.D.) and Eleanor Sweeney (Bella Bianchi).

[08/07/25 - 09:00 AM]
Video: We TV and ALLBLK Release First Look at the Hit Music Competition Series "Deb's House"
The new season premieres Friday, August 22 at 9:30 PM ET/PT exclusively on We TV and streaming on ALLBLK and AMC+.

[08/07/25 - 08:07 AM]
Video: Peacock Releases Official Trailer, Key Art, and New Images for "The Paper"
The series premieres on Peacock with four episodes on September 4, followed by two new episodes every Thursday through September 25.