The game show returns to prime time this summer.
May 3, 2024
ABC announced today that Who Wants to Be a Millionaire has been renewed for a new season this summer. The game show will be coming back to the network's prime time lineup to celebrate its 25th anniversary beginning July 10.
Based on a British format, the series started out back in 1999 and became an instant hit, airing in prime time to audiences that flocked to the program. It was a flagship on the network for multiple seasons until it eventually wore out its welcome. Its prime time format was cancelled and the show moved over to syndication, where it had a successful 17-year run until being cancelled in 2019.
Less than a year later, ABC decided it wanted back in the game, ordering a new prime time edition hosted by Jimmy Kimmel that aired in 2020 and 2021. Kimmel will be back for the new season, which for the first time will see two celebrity contestants play together with the hope of winning $1 million for the charity of their choice.
Kathy Bassett
06/21/24 at 03:46pm
I would love to try out for the show or are you only doing celebrities.
Steve
05/10/24 at 01:44am
Yeah, I know it's just another quiz show. But it makes for great mindless viewing when you're doing household chores. And Kimmel, who can sometimes be a bit smug, turns out to be a great host treating the players with respect.
Pope
05/05/24 at 05:05am
... no one cares....
Matt
05/04/24 at 08:01am
Only 1 million? What about inflation? These game shows never increase their prizes but the world gets more expensive.
Dan
05/04/24 at 07:59am
I agree, Jasmine. My question is why did it take ABC so long to decide to bring back "Millionaire"?
Jaron
05/04/24 at 04:25am
Celebrities playing for charity yawn. Out dated and out of touch here. How about a regular person play for $2 million and another $1 million go to a a charity of their choice. 25 years ago the same $1 million was being offered. That would need to be nearly $2 million today. Shows are so cheap when you consider profits were over $1.5 billion in 2023. Not to mention the charity check is a tax right off. When the Show was popular in 1999 when $1 million could buy you a beautiful home and have money leftover even if you remove the tax of 45%. Now you could buy and average home and have no money left.
jasmine
05/03/24 at 10:42pm
Forget about celebs. I think real people playing for life changing money is far more interesting.