by Trevor Kimball,
(ABC/John Fleenor)
You may want to “phone a friend” with this news. ABC has decided against ordering a third season of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire TV show, at least for now.
A revival of the long-running primetime and syndicated quiz show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is hosted by late night’s Jimmy Kimmel. As in the original versions, contestants try to answer multiple-choice trivia questions for ascending amounts of money, with the hopes of winning the million-dollar prize. Players can take advantage of lifelines to help them answer questions and get further in the game. In this version, the lifelines are “Ask the Host” (replacing “Ask the Audience”), “50/50”, and “Phone a Friend”. Contestants can also invite an expert guest (anyone of their choosing) to help them answer questions. In the second season, the contestants are celebrities (playing for charities), frontline heroes, and others affected by COVID-19. Celebrity contestants include Tiffany Haddish, Joel McHale, and Julie Bowen.
The second season of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire averaged a 0.46 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.15 million viewers. Compared to season one, that’s down by 44% in the demo and down by 45% in viewership. It was one of the network’s lower-rated unscripted series of the regular 2020-21 season.
Deadline reports that the door is being left open to bring the series back at some point but truly, the end result is the same as a cancellation. Any series, particularly an unscripted one, could be revived. For now, there won’t be any new episodes.
What do you think? Did you enjoy the latest primetime incarnation of the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire game show? Would you have watched season three? Are you hoping it does return someday?
As an enthusiast and expert in television and entertainment industry trends, I've closely followed the developments in the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire franchise, including the recent decision by ABC not to order a third season of the show. My in-depth knowledge spans the history of the original and revived versions, the hosting dynamics, and the show's format evolution.
Firstly, let's address the recent news. ABC's decision not to proceed with a third season, at least for now, aligns with the network's viewership considerations and the show's performance metrics. The revival, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, retained the essence of the classic format with contestants tackling multiple-choice trivia questions to win ascending amounts of money, culminating in the coveted million-dollar prize.
The revival introduced some notable changes, including the replacement of the "Ask the Audience" lifeline with "Ask the Host," reflecting a shift in audience engagement dynamics. Additionally, the traditional "Phone a Friend" lifeline remained, offering contestants the chance to seek assistance from a trusted confidant.
One intriguing adaptation was the inclusion of celebrities, playing for charities, frontline heroes, and individuals affected by COVID-19, as contestants in the second season. This variation brought a fresh angle to the show, featuring well-known figures such as Tiffany Haddish, Joel McHale, and Julie Bowen.
Now, let's delve into the show's performance metrics for the second season. The reported 0.46 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.15 million viewers represented a decline of 44% in the demo and 45% in viewership compared to the first season. These statistics position it as one of ABC's lower-rated unscripted series during the 2020-21 season.
While Deadline reports that the door is being left open for a potential return, the current status effectively resembles a cancellation. It's crucial to acknowledge that the landscape of television is dynamic, and any series, particularly unscripted ones, could potentially be revived in the future.
In conclusion, the decision not to order a third season prompts reflection on audience reception and network priorities. As a seasoned observer of the television industry, I recognize the ebb and flow of shows, and while the future of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is uncertain, the show's legacy as a cultural phenomenon endures. What remains to be seen is whether the format will be revisited and revitalized for a future audience or if this marks the end of a specific chapter in the show's storied history.
