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Disney-ABC made the announcement this morning. Stand-up comedian and actor Cedric The Entertainer has been named the new host of the syndicated Who Wants To Be A Millionaire beginning with its 12th season this fall. He succeeds Meredith Vieira, who is departing at the end of this season. “With his deep roots as a successful stand-up comedian and actor, Cedric will bring his fresh approach and unpredictable fun to the show,” said Janice Marinelli, president, Disney-ABC Domestic TV.
Related: Cedric The Entertainer To Succeed Meredith Vieira As ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ Host
CAA-repped Cedric is the second member of The Original Kings Of Comedy stand-up troupe to be recruited to host a syndicated game show, joining Steve Harvey, who has been on Family Feud since 2010. The Millionaire announcement comes just as the Harvey-hosted Family Feud hit a ratings milestone, posting a series high in women 25-54 (2.9) for the week ending March 10 and overcoming the top-rated game show, Wheel Of Fortune (2.8), for the first time ever in the demo. The Millionaire gig joins Cedric’s duties as star of the TV Land comedy series Soul Man, which is filming this spring. He will shoot his first season of Millionaire in September.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.
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Why dumb down this show to a comedy yuckfest?
Although I find Steve Harvey intensely uninteresting, I understand choosing him for “Family Feud,” which isn’t much of show these days, anyway.
But why a comedian for “…Millionaire?” I think this will take it into a dreadful direction. The show, which altered its format badly and never matched the Regis years, is supposed to be about brain power. I won’t be watching with Cedric, who I rarely find entertaining.
Shame on Disney and its continued sillification of American culture. “Oz The Great And Powerful” is bad enough.
@Walter It’s about “brain power”? Not really. It’s oddball facts. Get a grip.
Uh, it is about brain power, not “oddball facts.” Get an education. This guy made a smart comment. It’s an intelligent show, why make it silly?
Walter, you are trying to cover up your real reason for objecting to Cedric The Entertainer becoming the Host, you haven’t fooled everyone with your comment by the simply fact that you bought up Steve Harvey’s and his SUCCESSFUL take over of Family Freud. Let’s see, Steve and Cedric are both Comedians, and oh let’s see what else they have in common. I rest my case. Since Steve Harvey has taken over Hosting the Family Freud, he has made the show more exciting to watch. He is successful at all he has done. You take your 1950s idea and go get yourself some help. America is changing and it’s leaving people like you behind.
You’re calling him racist. Wow. America is changing. Hopefully, it’ll leave your kind of hate behind.
Well said, WOW!!
I agree completely. What a bummer! Whenever a comedian is on that show subbing for Meredith, it is just what you said – a yukfest. I wonder what audience the producers are aiming at.
I agree this is the worst thing Abc cold do. Why a comic as hosts. That insults Meredith, the contestants and ruins the show. My mother looks forward to watching Millionaire each day. Neither she nor I will watch it again after Meredith leaves. Shame on ABC
Ugh. How awful is his name? I mean maybe when he started it was cute… Now? Grow up and just be Cedric. I mean Nkki isn’t Nikki The Hollywood Maven, Cher is not Cher The Lady with Long Black Hair and occasionally wigs… I just don’t get why the crutch of a ridiculous name when he is already known. It’s not like there are 25 Cedrics out there… Wait… Cedric? Which one? The singer, dancer, action film star, comedian, magician, TV host, athlete, comic book writer??? Oh! The Entertainer! That one… Lame.
Disney-ABC Domestic TV is so out of touch with viewers. They want to cut the lifeline on WWTBAM just like OLTL and AMC. Someone needs to be fired.
First off, is this show still on?
Second off. No. Just no.
Agree with everything above. The babe is just beyond corny.. And I gave up on the show years ago when they revised the format so drastically that it was unrecognizable and no longer fun or exciting to watch
Yeah, because he did SUCH a great job on “It’s Worth WHAT?”. Maybe they’re thinking this show just needed a weight around its neck to finally drown it forever.
So are they going to get all the members of this group to host the current crop of game shows on syndicated TV now? We have Harvey for Feud, Cedric for Millionaire and now we could have Martin Lawrence hosting Wheel of Fortune and DL Hughley hosting Jeopardy.
Martin Lawrence wasn’t a King of Comedy.
How the formerly funny have fallen….. This is the best caa or whatever agency Cedics now with could get him? I guess after all the failed pilots and that other game show, it’s a job, but sheesh…. I remember when I thought you were funny!
I don’t care if Cedric the entertainer is black, white or purple with green spots. He is not the right choice for this show. Those of you who like trivia may also like Jeopardy. Imagine putting Cedric on that! Can’t right? Then he doesn’t belong on Millionaire.