Who Wants to be a Millionaire is certainly one of the biggest television game shows of all time. The original British version led numerous other countries including Australia, Nepal, and India to create their own offerings using the same or a similar format. The Chris Tarrant-presented show was first aired on ITV in 1998, on a run that run lasted 16 years. Last year, Jeremy Clarkson took over as quizmaster for the 20th anniversary specials, and now the iconic TV show has been renewed for another series with the former Top Gear man at the helm.
There was widespread disappointment when ITV announced that the long-running Who Wants to be a Millionaire was wrapping up in 2014. The thrilling quiz became one of the most iconic pieces of British television and is now well known all over the world.
Aside from the various spinoffs, the David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight-created series has led to other games cropping up in the franchise. These include the Who Wants to be a Millionaire slot game from Big Time Gaming, which is one of a number of thematic titles at Videoslots. Anyone can check them out at the website. Other games in the sprawling franchise include three board games released by Upstarts and various PC and PlayStation games from notable developers including Eidos Interactive.
When the UK version of the series returned in 2018 for the first time in four years, it was met with strong approval from the public. Airing every evening between the 6th and 11th of May last year, the episodes were initially planned as a special event. However, the high viewing figures and the fact that Clarkson was brilliant as the show’s host led ITV to renew for another series. This will be the 33rd season of the quiz show which has changed a lot of lives but, in fact, only made a handful of millionaires. The producers are currently looking for potential candidates to face the progressively tricky questions and try to take down the ultimate prize.
The format of the show has changed slightly since it was first released in the 1990s. Back then, players only had three lifelines to help them out on the more difficult questions. These were Phone a Friend, 50:50, and Ask the Audience. These three options still exist, but players now have the chance to use Ask the Host as well. Choosing this will allow them to find out Clarkson’s opinion, which can often be hilarious. The Grand Tour presenter famously got quite a few answers wrong during the filming of the specials.
With such a legendary figure in the hot seat and a slightly switched up format, the new series of Who Wants to be a Millionaire has the potential to be brilliant. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the quiz returning for many years to come. The question is, will there be many major prize winners this time around?