ABC Banks on “Millionaire”
- Beth Dykstra
- Courtesy of ABC
After the huge success of “Who Wants to be a
Millionaire?” in 2000, ABC has announced that the
once-popular game show will return at the end of the month with the
stakes raised. Beginning Feb. 22, the program, renamed “Super
Millionaire,” will air on five consecutive nights. Up to $10
million can now be won, and with the benefit of two additional
lifelines, the show might find life itself again. Regis Philbin
will return to host the primetime spectacle.
CBS Gets ‘Super’ Audience
Sunday, Super Bowl XXXVIII set a new prime-time television
viewing record. Although it did not set the mark for most average
viewers, about 144 million people still tuned in to at least part
of the championship game, making it the largest audience ever to
watch a Super Bowl. According to the Nielsen ratings, 89.6 million
Americans watched all four hours of the football spectacular, due
to the exciting game, the much-anticipated commercials and the
titillating halftime show.
Big Stars on NBC Next Week
In the middle of February sweeps, NBC will unleash a slew of
guest appearances on its primetime programs. According to
thefutoncritic.com, Monday night will feature Jean-Claude Van Damme
on “Las Vegas,” as he portrays an action star, while
Michael J. Fox will appear on “Scrubs” as a doctor the
following evening. Jane Seymour and Jay Mohr make guest shots on
“Law and Order” and “The West Wing”
respectively. The week concludes with Nick Lachey portraying Tom
Jones on “American Dreams.”
“Yes, Dear” recalls Davis
Recalled Calif. governor Gray Davis will make a cameo in the CBS
comedy “Yes, Dear” on March 1. In the episode, the
politician will portray himself and pick a fight at a basketball
game with one of the characters, according to zap2it.com. Following
his appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman,”
this is just the latest attempt by CBS to revitalize Davis’s
image. Hopefully this campaign will be recalled as well.
‘Sisco’ gone for good
ABC has announced that “Karen Sisco” will not return
to its primetime lineup. The program has been on hiatus since
November due to low ratings, but was slated to begin filming the
remainder of its 13-episode commitment this month. According to
thefutoncritic.com, executives rejected the scripts for the last
three shows and then decided to cancel the Sunday night drama
permanently. Look on the bright side, it’s another night
Regis can be on!