The New Season of 'Millionaire'

[DaysForever]

Hey everyone.

I was just wondering if any of you have seen the 5th season premiere of 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' with Meredith Vieira. I watched it today and I loved it. I LOVE Vieira... she is *SO* much better than Regis ever was!

Can you believe it? Her 5th season as host ALREADY?!

What are your comments on the season premiere?

[bellcurve]

GRRR! I don't get the new affiliate on my cable lineup! My CBS affiliate here decided to replace MILLIONAIRE with Rachael Ray(blech). But it's a small price to pay, especially if I get to see MyNetworkTV and if I get to have Meredith for three hours on TODAY also.

I've followed Meredith from the very beginning. She's so sympathetic to the characters and you can tell that she is REALLY pulling for them. That, IMO, makes a really good gameshow host.

Have they tweaked any of the format this season? I know a few years back, they added "Switch The Question." Any set changes at all?

I don't see anyone going for the half-million or million-dollar prize, since those are annuity based now.

[DaysForever]

Nope. No changes to the set or a new lifeline.

And I also love that she greets contestants and yes, she is very sympathetic to the contestants.

I just LOVE that woman. ... and the show.

[juniorz1]

I DVR it every day & it was pre-empted here with Joan Lunden Live from Ground Zero.

[Toadstool]

Count me in as another Meredith Vieira lover. I believe she has a two year contract with Millionaire (assuming it lasts - and it can only do better with her being NBC's morning woman) This woman is the epitome of "class act".

Is tomorrow her first day on NBC's TODAY SHOW?

[JER Soaps Fan]

I'm surprised NBC chose her for the "Today" gig -- not that she is undeserving; she's GREAT -- because of the mixing of entertainment and news. Many journos frown upon that.

[Toadstool]

Yeah but it's morning news. "Journos" have been frowning on that format forever for exactly the reasons you express, nonetheless, morning pseudo-news shows thrive. Even here, in Canada.

[JER Soaps Fan]

Oh, I know there's already that mix in morning news. I just thought "Millionaire" is so over-the-top blatant in its utter lack of redeeming news content, that it would cause a concern. It's like if Katie Couric, while at "Today," started appearing as the center square on "Hollywood Squares." It's just...mm.

[bellcurve]

You've been reading too much Steve Beverly(great game show comentator, BTW).

I agree that I feel Meredith should have given up her gig as host of MILLIONAIRE if Michael Davies gave her an out. It shows a lack of credibility on the part of the journalist. Anderson Cooper quit ABC News to do THE MOLE.

But, since she's not, I support her 1000%.

[KMan101]

I'm glad she's still doing Millionaire. I love watching her version when I get a chance. She's very sympathetic to the players and I really do think she roots for ALL of them.