Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

1956

Tentatively known as Cash Mountain, the show took its finalised title from a song written by Cole Porter for the 1956 film High Society, starring Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm.

1998

The maximum cash prize offered in most versions of the format is one million of the local currency. The original British version debuted on 4 September 1998 on the ITV network, hosted by Chris Tarrant, who presented his final episode on 11 February 2014 after which the show was canned.

If a contestant feels unsure about an answer and does not wish to play on, they can walk away with the money they have won, to which the host will ask them to confirm this as their final decision; in such cases, the host will usually ask them to state what answer they would have gone for, and reveal if it would have been correct or incorrect. ====Original format==== During the British original, between 1998 and 2007, the show's format required contestants to answer fifteen questions.

The latest contestant to win the top prize was David Chang of the American version on 29 November 2020, the first celebrity to do so. ==Original version== Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? debuted in Britain on 4 September 1998, with episodes broadcast on the ITV network.

The revival received mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, and, as well as high viewing figures, led to ITV renewing the show for another series with Clarkson returning as host. ==International versions== Since the British original debuted in 1998, several different versions of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? have been created across the world, including Australia, the United States and India.

As a joke, Benylin cough syrup paid to have the first commercial shown during the programme's commercial break. In April 2020, ITV aired a three part drama titled Quiz based upon the scandal. ==Other media== ===Merchandise=== Three board game adaptations of the UK Millionaire were released by Upstarts in 1998, and a junior edition recommended for younger players was introduced in 2001.

1999

After this and a second two-week event aired in November 1999, ABC commissioned a regular series that launched in January 2000 and ran until June 2002.

The first was John Carpenter, who won the top prize on the American version on 19 November 1999.

When it began airing, the show was hosted by Chris Tarrant, and became an instant hit – at its peak in 1999, one edition of the show was watched by over 19 million viewers.

In total over 100 different international variations have been made. ===Australia === On 18 April 1999, Nine Network launched an Australian version of the game show for its viewers.

The original version was hosted by Eddie McGuire, until he was forced to sacrifice his on-air commitments upon being made the CEO of the network; after his resignation from this role, he resumed his duties as host of subsequent versions of the programme. ===United States=== On 16 August 1999, ABC launched an American version of the game show for its primetime viewers.

Hosted by Regis Philbin, it proved to be a ratings success, becoming the highest-rated television show during the 1999–2000 season, with its average audience figures reaching approximately 29 million viewers.

However, ABC reversed the cancellation of the programme on 8 January 2020, announcing plans for a twenty-first season, consisting of nine episodes, to be presented by Jimmy Kimmel starting 8 April. ===Russia=== On 1 October 1999, NTV launched a Russian version the game show, entitled О, счастливчик! ("Oh, lucky man!").

Only one contestant won top prize. ===Other versions === Other notable versions created in other countries, include the following: In 1999, a Dutch version of the game show, entitled Lotto Weekend Miljonairs, was launched on SBS 6.

In 2019 the show was relaunched on RTL 4 with a new name: Bankgiro Miljonairs, hosted again by Robert ten Brink. On 3 September 1999, a German version was launched by RTL Television, with Günther Jauch hosting the game show. In Poland, it is called Milionerzy and it is aired in TVN between years 1999–2003, 2008–2010 and since 2017. In 2000, the Hungarian version of the show, Legyen Ön is milliomos! was launched.

A similar show entitled Show do Milhão (which was hosted by Silvio Santos) aired on SBT between 1999 and 2003 (with a further revival in 2009). In 2018, a Nepalese version of the game was launched under the title of Ko Banchha Crorepati.

The UK Millionaire also won the 1999 British Academy Television Award for Best Entertainment Programme, and seven National Television Awards for Most Popular Quiz Programme from 1999 to 2005. The original primetime version of the U.S.

Between 1999 and 2001, Jellyvision produced five games based on the U.S.

2000

After this and a second two-week event aired in November 1999, ABC commissioned a regular series that launched in January 2000 and ran until June 2002.

From 2000, the selection of two incorrect answers were random. Phone a Friend: the contestant is connected with a friend over a phone line and is given 30 seconds to read the question and answers and solicit assistance.

The relaunched version was hosted by Maxim Galkin until 2008, when he was replaced as host by Dmitry Dibrov. ===India=== On 3 July 2000, an Indian version of the game show was launched.

It offers 2 million rupees (Sri Lankan rupees-LKR) as the ultimate prize. ===Philippines=== In 2000, a Filipino version of the game show was launched by the government-sequestered Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation.

The host was Gerry Scotti for every edition from 2000 to 2011 and for the 20th anniversary special edition. ===Nepal=== Ko Banchha Crorepati (Who Wants to have Ten Million; also simply known as KBC Nepal, Nepali: को बन्छ करोडपति) is a Nepali television game show based on the British programme Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The show first premiered on 2 February 2019 on AP1 Television, scheduled to run for 52 episodes.

This is also one of the earliest versions to adopt the Clock format, which would later be adopted in the American version starting in the 2009 season. On 20 April 2000, a Japanese version called Quiz $ Millionaire was launched by Fuji Television.

Hosted by Monta Mino, it ran as a weekly programme for seven years, after which it aired as occasional specials; the final episode aired on 2 January 2013. On 3 July 2000, a French version, Qui veut gagner des millions ?, was launched on the TF1 network, and hosted by Jean-Pierre Foucault and since 26 January 2019 by Camille Combal.

The show was filmed from the host's house in the first episodes and saw the introduction of a new lifeline to replace Ask the audience, l'Appel à la maison or phone home which allowed the contestants to call a viewer of the show at home. On 13–14 September 2000, a Canadian version, entitled Canadian Edition, was broadcast in Canada on CTV.

It was hosted by newscaster Pamela Wallin. On 15 September 2000, a Slovak version of the game show, entitled Milionár, was launched on Markíza.

In 2007, the show was moved to Jednotka until it was cancelled in 2008. On 16 October 2000, a Czech version of the game show, entitled Chcete být milionářem?, was launched on TV Nova and it was hosted by Vladimír Čech.

It ran until 2005, and was hosted by actor Kenneth Chan. Singapore hosted its own version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in both English and Chinese versions (dubbed Bai Wan Da Ying Jia), and ran from 2000 until 2004.

On Game Show Network (GSN)'s Gameshow Hall of Fame special, the narrator described the Strachan tracks as "mimicking the sound of a beating heart", and stated that as the contestant works their way up the money ladder, the music is "perfectly in tune with their ever-increasing pulse". The Strachans' Millionaire soundtrack was honoured by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers with numerous awards, the earliest of them awarded in 2000.

The show also became one of the most popular game shows in television history, and is credited by some with paving the way for the phenomenon of reality programming. ===Awards, accolades and honours=== In 2000, the British Film Institute honoured the UK version of Millionaire by ranking it number 23 on its "BFI TV 100" list, which compiled what British television industry professionals believed were the greatest programmes to have ever originated from that country.

Millionaire won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show in 2000 and 2001.

version also saw two board games of its own, released by Pressman Toy Corporation in 2000.

Other Millionaire board games have included a game based on the Australian version's Hot Seat format, which was released by UGames; a game based on the Italian version released by Hasbro; and a game based on the French version which was released by TF1's games division. An electronic tabletop version of the game was released by Tiger Electronics in 2000.

2001

In the Hong Kong edition, it replaced the "Phone a Friend" lifeline for one-off special in 2001 and for two celebrity specials in 2018, though, with the celebrity contestants able to ask a panel of experts for help, present in the audience, all of whom had the question and possible answers visible to them. Ask One of the Audience – Used in the German version of the show, this lifeline was designed for use as part of its "Risk Mode" format.

This version ran until its final episode on 28 January 2001, whereupon a few weeks later it was relaunched under the Russian translation of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, on Channel One.

The main prize of Chcete být milionářem was 10 million Czech crowns, in Milionář it was 2 million crowns. In 2001, a Hong Kong version called Baak Maan Fu Yung was launched by Asia Television.

The series produced no top prize winners on either versions, but one contestant, Steven Tan, won $250,000 on 27 December 2001, and Tan remained as the biggest cash winner in Singaporean game show's history since. In 2007, a Chinese version was launched, hosted by Lǐ Fán.

Millionaire won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show in 2000 and 2001.

Philbin was honoured with a Daytime Emmy in the category of Outstanding Game Show Host in 2001, while Vieira received one in 2005 and another in 2009, making her the second woman to win an Emmy Award for hosting a game show, and the first to win multiple times.

7 on its 2001 list of the 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time, and later ranked it No.

5 on its August 2006 list of the 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time, and later honoured the show in January 2007 on its first, and so far only, Gameshow Hall of Fame special. ==Charles Ingram cheating scandal== In September 2001, British Army Major Charles Ingram apparently won the top prize in the UK Millionaire, but his flip-flopping on each of the final two questions raised suspicion of cheating.

Between 1999 and 2001, Jellyvision produced five games based on the U.S.

Contestants were allowed to use two of their Facebook friends as Jump the Question lifelines in round one, and to use the Ask the Audience lifeline in round two to invite up to 50 such friends of theirs to answer a question for a portion of the prize money of the current question. ===Scrapped animated spin-off=== In September 2001, Celador signed a deal with DIC Entertainment to produce a cartoon based on the show titled The Adventures of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? – The Animated Series.

Both the Florida and California Play It! attractions opened in 2001; the California version closed in 2004, and the Florida version closed in 2006 and was replaced by Toy Story Midway Mania! The format in the Play It! attraction was very similar to that of the television show that inspired it.

2002

After this and a second two-week event aired in November 1999, ABC commissioned a regular series that launched in January 2000 and ran until June 2002.

The syndication of the game show was conceived and debuting in September 2002.

After a drop in ratings, this version was cancelled, with its final episode aired on 27 June 2002.

On 16 September 2002, Meredith Vieira launched a daily syndicated version of the programme, which she hosted for 11 seasons, until May 2013.

In 2002, it changed its name to "Chi vuol essere milionario?" after the Italian Lira was replaced with the Euro.

The first million-winner was Zdeněk Jánský in 2002.

Six different DVD games based on the UK Millionaire, featuring Tarrant's likeness and voice, were released by Zoo Digital Publishing and Universal Studios Home Entertainment between 2002 and 2008.

2003

Vladimír Čech was removed from the show and was replaced by Martin Preiss in 2003.

The prize was withheld, and police were called in to investigate the matter further. In March 2003, the Ingrams and Whittock were taken to court on the charge of using fraudulent means to win the top prize on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.

2004

Exceptions to this arrangement, in which it was used under the name "Fastest Finger" included: primetime special editions of the programme; the 2004 series that was dubbed Super Millionaire, in which the final prize was increased to $10,000,000; and for the 10th anniversary special of the US edition, run during August 2009 for eleven episodes.

From 2004 to 2006, AOL sponsored "Ask the Audience" and allowed users of Instant Messenger to participate in the lifeline by adding the screen name MillionaireIM to their contact list.

version, based on the 2004–08 format and coming complete with Vieira's likeness and voice, as well as a quiz book and a 2009 desktop calendar. ===Video game adaptations=== The UK Millionaire saw five video game adaptations for personal computers and Sony's PlayStation consoles, produced by Hothouse Creations and Eidos Interactive.

2005

The show was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan in his first appearance on Indian television, and received additional seasons in 2005–06, 2007, and then every year since 2010.

The original Indian version became immortalised in 2008, within the plot of Danny Boyle's award-winning drama film Slumdog Millionaire, adapted from the 2005 Indian novel Q & A by Vikas Swarup. === Sri Lanka === On 18 September 2010 a Sinhalese version called, "Obada lakshapathi mamada lakshapathi"(ඔබද ලක්ෂපති මමද ලක්ෂපති) was launched by Sirasa TV of Capital Maharaja Television Network.

In 2005 he was replaced by Ondřej Hejma – Czech musician.

In June 2005 the show on TV Nova was cancelled.

2006

While many pursued litigation, they were all unsuccessful, and each claim was later settled out-of-court on an agreement/settlement. In March 2006, original producer Celador announced that it was seeking to sell the worldwide rights to Millionaire, together with the rest of its British programme library, as the first phase of a sell-off of the company's format and production divisions. British television producer Paul Smith first had the idea to franchise the UK programme internationally.

From 2004 to 2006, AOL sponsored "Ask the Audience" and allowed users of Instant Messenger to participate in the lifeline by adding the screen name MillionaireIM to their contact list.

This lifeline was also used in the Russian version between 2006 and 2008 but did not feature experts. Two Wise Men (or can be called Ask Two Experts) – Used in the Vietnamese version of the show from episodes broadcast on 5 May 2020, replacing "Ask Three of the Audience".

This version ran until its final episode, aired on 3 April 2006.

In 2006, the show was moved to RTL 4 until it was cancelled in 2008.

Its iconic host was István Vágó until 2008, In 2019 re-launched in Hungary, hosted by Gábor Gundel-Takács. The Taiwanese version of the show, Chao Ji Da Fu Weng was hosted by Hsieh Chen-wu, and ran until 2006.

In the United States, the phrase was popularised by Philbin during his tenure as the host of that country's version, to the extent that TV Land listed it in its special 100 Greatest TV Quotes and Catchphrases, which aired in 2006. On the Australian versions, McGuire replaces the phrase with "Lock it in?"; likewise, the Indian version's hosts have used varying "lock" catchphrases.

2007

The payout structure was as follows (questions as guaranteed levels are highlighted with a bolded text): After 2007, the format was changed, reducing the number of questions to twelve; the overall change in format was later incorporated into a number of international versions over a period of four years, including the Arabian, Bulgarian, Dutch, French, Polish, Spanish, and Turkish versions.

The format was later modified for the fourteenth season of the US version, but retained the same arrangement for the last four questions. In 2015, the so-called "shuffle format" was scrapped and the show returned to a version that closely resembled the original format. ====Other international formats==== =====Risk format===== In 2007, the German version modified the show's format with the inclusion of a feature called "Risk Mode".

After the first version ended, a second version was created, running for six episodes across October and November 2007, before a third version, entitled Millionaire Hot Seat, made its debut on 20 April 2009.

The show was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan in his first appearance on Indian television, and received additional seasons in 2005–06, 2007, and then every year since 2010.

2008

The decision to remove this round would later occur in other international versions, including the British original before its reinstatement in the renewed series. =====Clock format===== In 2008, the US version changed its format so that contestants were required to answer questions within a set time limit.

This format became adopted in Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Switzerland and Venezuela. A different variant was used in the Taiwanese version, except without any safety nets or any option to quit; however, if they were incorrect on any question, the contestant's winnings won up to the point will be cut by half. =====Hot Seat format===== In November 2008, the Italian version modified the format of the show under the title "Edizione Straordinaria" (eng.

Used in the Vietnamese version of the show from episodes broadcast on 20 May 2008, also later replacing "Plus One" due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The relaunched version was hosted by Maxim Galkin until 2008, when he was replaced as host by Dmitry Dibrov. ===India=== On 3 July 2000, an Indian version of the game show was launched.

In 2006, the show was moved to RTL 4 until it was cancelled in 2008.

In February 2008 was the show launched on FTV Prima as a syndicated version – on daily evening before the main TV News at 19:30.

It ran until April 2008. On 6 May 2017, a Brazilian version entitled Quem quer ser um milionário (which is a segment of the variety show Caldeirão do Huck) premiered on Rede Globo.

version's clock format in 2008; for example, the question cues were synced to the "ticking" sounds of the game clock.

Six different DVD games based on the UK Millionaire, featuring Tarrant's likeness and voice, were released by Zoo Digital Publishing and Universal Studios Home Entertainment between 2002 and 2008.

In 2008, Imagination Games released a DVD game based on the U.S.

Millionaire games were released by Ludia in conjunction with Ubisoft in 2010 and 2011; the first of these was a game for Nintendo's Wii console and DS handheld system based on the 2008–10 clock format, with the Wii version offered on the show as a consolation prize to audience contestants during the 2010–11 season.

2009

This format was later introduced to various markets over the course of a four-year-period from 2009 to 2012, including Norway, Hungary, Spain, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, and Chile. In 2009, Australia's version was modified to use the new Italian format, the name was also changed from "Extraordinary Edition" to "Hot Seat".

The original AT&T sponsored "Phone-a-Friend" during the original ABC primetime show and the syndicated version's first season; the current AT&T sponsored the 2009 primetime episodes.

On 23 May 2009, the show was relaunched on TV5, with Vic Sotto as the new host.

¿Quién quiere ser millonario? was broadcast from 3 February 2009 to 3 September 2013.

2010

This format change was later adopted into other international versions – the British original, for example, adopted this change for episodes on 3 August 2010. =====Shuffle format===== On 13 September 2010, the US version adopted another significant change to its format.

On 11 January 2010, the US version eliminated the use of "Phone a Friend" in response to an increasing trend of contestants' friends using web search engines and other internet resources to assist them during the calls.

Unlike its predecessor, this lifeline had no time limit on its use, but was only available after the fifth question; after "Phone a Friend" was removed in 2010, it was made readily available at any time in the game.

The show was hosted by Amitabh Bachchan in his first appearance on Indian television, and received additional seasons in 2005–06, 2007, and then every year since 2010.

version altogether for the introduction of the shuffle format in 2010, in favour of a new musical score with cues written by Jeff Lippencott and Mark T.

2011

The relaunched version was aired until 7 October 2012, when it was replaced by the Philippine version of The Million Pound Drop Live, but returned the following year on 15 September 2013, following the success of Talentadong Pinoy that year. ===Italy=== It was first launched by Endemol (until 2011) on Canale 5 with the name "Chi vuol essere miliardario?".

The show was later revived on SBS 6 in 2011 with as host Jeroen van der Boom.

The second, for Microsoft's Xbox 360, was based on the shuffle format and was offered as a consolation prize during the next season (2011–12). Ludia also made a Facebook game based on Millionaire available to players in North America from 2011 to 2016.

2012

During The People Play specials in 2012 and 2013, friends travelled to the studio and stayed backstage.

Subsequent Indian versions were also made, including one on 9 April 2012 entitled Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran, and hosted by Suresh Gopi.

In September 2012, the redesigned set was improved with a modernised look and feel, in order to take into account the show's transition to high-definition broadcasting, which had just come about the previous year.

2013

or to keep a check for a AU$1,000. =====Gamblers' Special format===== In 2013, the German version modified the show's format, which runs concurrent with the original format, where only one guaranteed level exists, at €1,000, and maximum prize is €2,000,000. ===Lifelines=== During a standard play of the game, a contestant is given a series of lifelines to aid them with questions.

During The People Play specials in 2012 and 2013, friends travelled to the studio and stayed backstage.

While most of the contestants were predominantly members of the general public who had applied to take part, the show later featured special celebrity editions during its later years, often coinciding with holidays and special events. On 22 October 2013, Tarrant decided to leave the programme after hosting it for 15 years.

On 16 September 2002, Meredith Vieira launched a daily syndicated version of the programme, which she hosted for 11 seasons, until May 2013.

After her departure, the show was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer in 2013, and Terry Crews in 2014, before Chris Harrison took full hosting responsibilities in Autumn 2015.

¿Quién quiere ser millonario? was broadcast from 3 February 2009 to 3 September 2013.

6 on its 2013 "60 Greatest Game Shows" list.

2014

A variation of this lifeline for the US version called "Cut the Question", was brought into use in 2014 for a week-long run of special episodes that featured child contestants, in which it could only be used within the first ten questions. x2 (Double Dip) – One of two lifelines created for the Super Millionaire spin-off of the US version.

The lifeline was removed following the 2014–15 season. Crystal Ball – Used in the US version of the show, as part of specially designated weeks that used the "Shuffle Format".

Tarrant's final episode was a special clip show entitled "Chris' Final Answer", which aired on 11 February 2014. Four years later, ITV revived the programme for a special 7-episode series, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the British original.

After her departure, the show was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer in 2013, and Terry Crews in 2014, before Chris Harrison took full hosting responsibilities in Autumn 2015.

2015

When used during the first round, the contestant is allowed to see the cash amount that is designated to the question they are currently on. +1 (Plus One) – Used in the US version of the show from 2015 to 2019 and since 2020.

After her departure, the show was hosted by Cedric the Entertainer in 2013, and Terry Crews in 2014, before Chris Harrison took full hosting responsibilities in Autumn 2015.

2016

In 2016 TV Nova returned the show with the original name Chcete být milionářem? For now, the show was hosted by the Czech actor Marek Vašut, but it ran for just a one-season and then it was cancelled.

2017

In 2017, as part of new modification to the format, the game incorporated the use of the Fastest Finger First round, with the winner able to select a lifeline, out of three that the show provided.

It ran until April 2008. On 6 May 2017, a Brazilian version entitled Quem quer ser um milionário (which is a segment of the variety show Caldeirão do Huck) premiered on Rede Globo.

2018

A revived series of seven episodes to commemorate its 20th anniversary aired from 5 to 11 May 2018, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson.

This series of special episodes was hosted by Jeremy Clarkson and aired every evening between 5 and 11 May 2018.

In 2018 it broadcast four special episodes for the 20th anniversary, followed by another eight special episodes in 2019, but the new season is produced by Fremantle Italia's unit Wavy.

The show is hosted by Rajesh Hamal on AP1 HD. On 11 August 2018, a Mauritian Version has been launched on MBC 1 by the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation.

2019

On 17 May 2019, the American version was cancelled after a total of 17 seasons and 20 years encompassing both primetime and first-run syndication; the final episode of the series was broadcast on 31 May.

In 2018 it broadcast four special episodes for the 20th anniversary, followed by another eight special episodes in 2019, but the new season is produced by Fremantle Italia's unit Wavy.

2020

This lifeline was removed from the 2020 U.S.

It is currently used in the US version lifeline was called "Ask the Guest" and Vietnamese version of the show from episodes broadcast on 5 May 2020 to present in regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ask the Host – Used in the 20th anniversary of the British original, the Danish, French and Italian revivals, Slovenia, Russia (January 2021 – present) as well as 2020/2021 episodes of the American/Russian version.

Starting in April 2020, the German version, filmed without an audience, replaces the "Ask the Audience" lifeline with one in which the candidate consults their accompanying friend.

The main goal of the game is to win 30,000,000 Costa Rican colón (US$50.434 as of August 2020) by answering 15 multiple-choice questions correctly.

In 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic, a special 'At home' edition is introduced in order to comply with the national lockdown.

2021

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