Post by RegisFan on Oct 24, 2009 3:12:23 GMT -5
Press release:
“WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE”
TO ADD CELEBRITY QUESTIONS
Top Names in TV, Film, Politics, News and Sports
Ask Questions of Contestants in Millionaire Hot Seat!
Celebrity Questions Debut Monday, November 9
During “Million Dollar Tournament of Ten”
NEW YORK CITY (October 22, 2009) – Meredith Vieira won’t be the only person asking the questions on “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” this season. Starting Monday, November 9, Vieira will get assistance from famous names such as Senator John McCain, Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), Shaquille O’Neal (NBA), Jane Lynch (Glee), Joe Mantegna (Criminal Minds), Robin Roberts (GMA) and even Cookie Monster (Sesame Street), who will all appear this season to ask questions of contestants in the Millionaire hot seat. Check local listings or go to www.millionairetv.com.
Celebrity Questions will debut Monday, November 9, the first day of the “Million Dollar Tournament of Ten,” during which, one contestant will walk away with $1 million! The Tournament will air November 9 – 20 and will feature the top ten contestants of the season, as they each look at a $1-million question. Contestants will be seeded, based on how much money they won on their previous appearance and how quickly they were able to answer their questions. The 10th seeded player will go first on November 9 and each day through November 20, the next best seeded player will get their own shot at a $1-million question. The top seeded contestant to correctly answer his or her question will walk away with the Tournament’s top prize of $1-million. Tournament finalists will be revealed November 6. Viewers can keep track of the qualifying process through a Leader Board that will be updated each day on the show and on www.millionairetv.com.
Three to four Celebrity Questions will be featured each week on Millionaire and will be ‘mid-level’ in monetary value. Other celebrities who will be featured this season include Kathryn Morris (Cold Case), Rob Morrow (Numb3rs), Tim Gunn (Project Runway), Kathy Griffin, Regis Philbin (LIVE! with Regis and Kelly), Jo Frost (Supernanny), Mario Lopez (Extra), Larry King, Elizabeth Vargas (ABC News), Al Roker (Today Show), Donald Trump (Celebrity Apprentice), Emily Procter (CSI Miami), Joy Behar (The View and The Joy Behar Show), Pauley Perrette (NCIS) and Gilles Marini (Brothers & Sisters), among others.
"We are thrilled with the way Celebrity Questions are playing in the show," said Executive Producer Michael Davies. "They are yet another dynamic addition to the game and have proven to be very entertaining for our contestants and audience. We're sure that viewers will be delighted to see such a stellar lineup of famous faces on Millionaire this season," he added.
About “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” & Meredith Vieira:
Millionaire is produced by Valleycrest Productions Ltd. and is distributed by Disney*ABC Domestic Television. Michael Davies and Leigh Hampton are executive producers. Meredith Vieira and Rich Sirop are co-executive producers. The game show is directed by Emmy Award-winning director Matthew Cohen. Millionaire host Meredith Vieira is a 34-year television veteran and multiple Emmy Award-winner, having won twice in the category of “Outstanding Game Show Host” (2005 & 2009). In 2005, she became the second woman ever to win an Emmy in the Game Show Host category. With seven seasons of Millionaire under her belt, she is the most prolific female game show host in history.
About Disney*ABC Domestic Television:
Disney*ABC Domestic Television is the domestic distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company, providing motion pictures and television programming to pay television, basic cable, broadcast television, video-on-demand (VOD), pay-per-view (PPV), mobile and broadband. Disney*ABC Domestic Television is a wholly owned subsidiary of Disney Enterprises, Inc.