Who Wants To Be A Millionaire returns for a new season on September 14, with a new host — Chris Harrison, of The Bachelor franchise — and a return to the format that first made the show a phenomenon.
The iconic game show returns for its 14th syndicated season with a return to the original ladder format! As each contestant moves closer to the $1 million prize, the tension builds as the 14 challenging questions increase in difficulty. Also, the dollar amounts for the early questions are new for 2015-2016.
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Harrison relieves last year’s host, Terry Crewes, of his Millionaire hosting duties and Cedric the Entertainer, who was the series’ host in 2013-2014. Meredith Vieria was the syndicated edition’s original host from 2002-2013. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was also hosted by Regis Philbin 1999-2002 when it aired on ABC Primetime.
The contestants aren’t alone in their quest for cash; they have three potentially game-saving lifelines at their disposal. Ask the Audience — one of the show’s three original lifelines — remains this season. Also still in play is Plus One, where the contestant’s companions step onstage to help their contestant answer a challenging question. Returning to the show is 50/50, which removes two incorrect answers from the game.
Since Millionaire debuted in national syndication in 2002, contestants from all walks of life and all over the country have won nearly $95 million. Millionaire’s 14th season also will offer exciting specialty weeks throughout the season:
“OFF TO COLLEGE WEEK” Sept. 28–Oct. 2 – Smart young people play to win some cash before they head off to school.
“BUCKET LIST WEEK” October 26–30 – Millionaire helps contestants check off items from their list of things to do before they … well, you know.
“BACHELOR FAN FAVORITES” Nov. 2-6 and February 1-5 – Favorite contestants from The Bachelor and The Bachelorette will be reunited with Harrison to compete during two special weeks this season.
“SECOND CHANCE WEEK” Nov. 9-13 – Memorable players who got a question wrong last season return for another chance to go all the way to $1 million.
“ELIGIBLE BACHELOR WEEK” Nov. 16-20 – Some of the most eligible guys in America come to Millionaire seeking THE ONE … that is, the one with six zeros behind it!
“ARMED FORCES WEEK” Dec. 14-18 – As part of the holiday season, Millionaire welcomes true American heroes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.
“WHIZ KIDS” February 8-12 – Some of the smartest kids in the country, from 8-15 years old, take on Millionaire!
“SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN” February 15-19 – Millionaire partners with The Shriners Hospitals for Children to raise money for this special cause. Paralympian Blake Leeper will donate all of his winnings when he plays on the final show of the week.
“MOVIE WEEK” February 22-26 – Movie trivia buffs show off their knowledge by taking on a totally movie-themed slate of questions.
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? > Nationwide (find it in your area) > Daily beginning Sept. 14.
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