'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire' Announces Upcoming Celebrity Edition of the Game Show

'Celebrity Millionaire' to Air in November Sweeps

Game Show Kicks Off 'Million Dollar Buddy Contest' on Tuesday, September 27

Add 'MillionaireIM' to Your AOL(R) or AIM(R) Buddy List(R) Feature, and You May End Up in the 'Millionaire' Hot Seat!

NEW YORK, Sept. 22 -- "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire," hosted by Emmy(R) Award-winning host Meredith Vieira, is adding a week-long installment of "Celebrity Millionaire" to their November sweeps programming slate. The specialty shows will feature famous faces in the "Millionaire" hot seat, playing for the charity of their choice. The shows are scheduled to air November 7 - 11, 2005.

"We are thrilled to be doing celebrity editions again on 'Millionaire,'" said executive producer Michael Davies. "We had tremendous success with celebrity shows on primetime 'Millionaire' and we felt it was time to let that success translate into syndication."

Nearly $14,000,000 has been given away to charity on past celebrity editions of "Millionaire." Rosie O'Donnell, Drew Carey and Norm MacDonald are the only three celebrities who have reached the $1 million question. They each raised $500,000 for their charities.

Additionally, "Millionaire" will launch the "Million Dollar Buddy Contest" on Tuesday, September, 27. Those people who add "MillionaireIM" to their AOL(R) or AIM(R) Buddy List(R) Feature, and participate in "Millionaire's" interactive "Ask The Audience" lifeline could win a trip to the "Millionaire" hot seat.

Buena Vista Television and America Online, Inc. partnered on a groundbreaking initiative last year that allows AOL(R) members and AIM(R) users to participate in "Millionaire" tapings. When a contestant selects the "Ask The Audience" lifeline during the taping of a show, he or she can see the response of the studio audience as well as those participating via IM. Last season, more than 440,000 people added the "MillionaireIM" screen name to their AOL(R) or AIM(R) Buddy List(R) feature.

Beginning Tuesday, September 27, "Millionaire" will track participants' correct responses sent to "MillionaireIM." The screen name that submits the most correct answers during the contest period, from September 27 - December 8, 2005, will win a trip for two to the Walt Disney World Resort(R) in Florida, where he or she will tape an episode(s) of the television show at the "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire -- Play It!" attraction at Disney's MGM Studios.

"This is the first time that 'Millionaire' has provided a way for people to WIN a trip to the hot seat and by-pass the traditional contestant audition process," said Davies. "For anyone who has auditioned in the past and not been chosen, or for those who are not physically able to travel to NYC to audition, this contest provides an amazing opportunity to win a trip to the hot seat and potentially, $1 million."

Each contest participant must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. resident and must meet all eligibility requirements. To qualify, the winner must be signed on to AOL or AIM between the hours of 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST) on Friday, December 9, 2005 to receive a qualifying "IM" from "Millionaire." Go to http://www.millionairetv.com for complete official contest and "Millionaire" rules.

SOURCE Buena Vista Television