REGIS PHILBIN RETURNS TO MILLIONAIRE FOR FIRST-EVER APPEARANCE AS A GUEST HOSTON THE WEEKDAY VERSION OF THE GAME SHOW
LIVE! with Regis and Kelly Executive Producer Michael Gelman Offers Assistance as “Expert”
Regis Philbin will sit in for Millionaire host Meredith Vieira next week for a week-long stint as celebrity guest host, November 30 – December 4, 2009 (check local listings). The appearance, which was taped earlier this month, marks the first time that Philbin has appeared as a guest host on the weekday version of the show. The Millionaire set is familiar territory for Philbin, who originated the role of Millionaire host in the U.S. on ABC in 1999. The weekday version debuted in 2002 with Vieira as host and currently is in its eighth season. This past August, Philbin celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the U.S. Millionaire franchise by reviving the primetime version of the show for a special 11-episode run.
Philbin can be seen weekday mornings with co-host Kelly Ripa on LIVE! with Regis and Kelly. The popular morning talk show debuted in national syndication in September 1988 and currently is in its 22nd season.
LIVE Executive Producer Michael Gelman will serve as the “Expert” for the “Ask The Expert” lifeline during episodes featuring Philbin as guest host. Millionaire contestants are able to connect with a pre-determined “Expert” via a face-to-face Skype video call for help on a question. Gelman appeared via Skype from his office at LIVE and told contestants that his trivia strengths included history, pop culture, science, geography and food. He cited his weaknesses as literature and sports.
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. Millionaire host Meredith Vieira is a 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.
