Cedric the Entertainer: new host of syndicated "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"
Cedric the Entertainer named new 'Millionaire' host
Comedian Cedric the Entertainer has replaced Meredith Vieira as the new host of the syndicated Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, the original million-dollar game show. He follows in the footsteps of his friend and fellow comedian Steve Harvey, who is hosting Family Feud.
The format of the show is is also noticeably different from before, and these changes started in 2010. In round 1, there are 10 multiple-choice questions with random dollar values, ranging from $100 to $25,000, all of which are cumulative. After clearing round 1, round 2 is made up of four multiple-choice questions, which are not cumulative, and closer in style to the classic format. The only remaining original lifeline is Ask the Audience, and the other two lifelines are two "Jumps," which allow the contestant to skip the question, but will forefit the amount that the question was worth (in round 1). In round 1, when a contestant walks away, he or she leaves with half of the money accumulated in the bank; if he or she misses a question, the contestant leaves with a consolation prize of only $1,000. (In the original format, when a contestant missed a question within the first five questions, he or she left with nothing at all.) In round 2, when a contestant walks away, he or she leaves with all of the money in the bank; if he or she misses a question, the contestant leaves with $25,000. Unlike the 2008 format, there are no time limits to answering a question, and the game is played standing up, rather than sitting down in a "hot seat," like before.
In addition to the format, they also changed the music, which is nothing like the original music that was inherited from the original British version.
I watched an episode with Cedric today, and I actually liked him more than Meredith, as he was funnier (he's a comedian, obviously), though the original, Regis Philbin, will always be the best.
