Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with Regis Philbin
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with Regis Philbin is an American television game show that aired from 1999 to 2002 on ABC. Regis Philbin served as the host, guiding contestants through a high-stakes quiz format designed to test general knowledge. The show became one of the most recognized primetime game shows in the United States.
Format and Lifelines
Contestants answer a series of multiple choice questions, with each correct answer increasing the prize money. The top prize was one million dollars. Players could use lifelines such as Ask the Audience, Phone a Friend, and 50:50 to help answer difficult questions. The show followed a similar structure to the earlier British version created by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire with Regis Philbin influenced the growth of interactive television and audience participation. The show was noted for its tense pacing and memorable moments when contestants reached the final questions. It also contributed to the wider popularity of lifeline-based quiz formats around the world.
Learn more about the show and its history on the official ABC website at Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
