Iconic game show set for a comeback! But who will take the hot seat?
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A beloved quiz show that once dominated Australian television could soon be making a grand return—but with a surprising twist.
With speculation swirling about who might step into the coveted hosting role, anticipation has been building.
Now, a familiar face has offered his thoughts on the potential comeback.
A classic Australian game show could soon make a comeback, and a familiar TV personality has weighed in on the possible revival.
Eddie McGuire, who hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for more than two decades, shared his thoughts on the show’s return and even suggested an unexpected choice for its next host.
McGuire, 60, was the face of the Australian version from its debut on 18 April 1999 until it was placed on 'hiatus' in January 2024.
The media mogul said he wasn’t shocked by reports that Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? could soon be back on Australian screens.
‘I always said it was a hiatus, not the end,’ he said.
‘It’s one of the most successful television shows around the world and spawned an Academy Award-winning movie. It’s such a joyous show and to me it was only a matter of time.
‘I just hope if it comes back it’s done well. It might be Sam Pang hosting, who knows.’
McGuire, who now runs production company JAM TV, recalled how his own selection as host had been considered a surprise at the time.
‘It’s not a quiz show and the host gets to play around, so I hope whoever gets it will have great fun,’ he said.
The former Collingwood Football Club president and ex-Nine CEO had previously expressed confidence that the show would return.
When the hiatus was first announced in August 2023, he shared: , ‘Shows sometimes become victims of their own success and their longevity.’
‘I sat down and said hello to people on the show and made them feel good over 15,500 times. Each of those people had their moment on TV, and some of them took home some money.
‘It’ll come back. It’s too good a format not to.’
At its peak, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was one of Australia’s highest-rated programs, drawing more than two million viewers.
Its spin-off, Millionaire Hot Seat, launched in 2009, with McGuire continuing as host until the show's pause in 2024.
If Pang, 51, were to take on the role, he would be adding yet another project to his schedule, as his new show Sam Pang Tonight premiered this week on Network 10 and 10Play.
The eight-episode series debuted on 17 March at 8:40 pm, receiving mixed reviews and drawing comparisons to Rove Live and Saturday Night Rove.
With Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? possibly making a comeback, do you think Sam Pang would be the right fit as host? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
With speculation swirling about who might step into the coveted hosting role, anticipation has been building.
Now, a familiar face has offered his thoughts on the potential comeback.
A classic Australian game show could soon make a comeback, and a familiar TV personality has weighed in on the possible revival.
Eddie McGuire, who hosted Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? for more than two decades, shared his thoughts on the show’s return and even suggested an unexpected choice for its next host.
McGuire, 60, was the face of the Australian version from its debut on 18 April 1999 until it was placed on 'hiatus' in January 2024.
The media mogul said he wasn’t shocked by reports that Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? could soon be back on Australian screens.
‘I always said it was a hiatus, not the end,’ he said.
‘It’s one of the most successful television shows around the world and spawned an Academy Award-winning movie. It’s such a joyous show and to me it was only a matter of time.
‘I just hope if it comes back it’s done well. It might be Sam Pang hosting, who knows.’
McGuire, who now runs production company JAM TV, recalled how his own selection as host had been considered a surprise at the time.
‘It’s not a quiz show and the host gets to play around, so I hope whoever gets it will have great fun,’ he said.
The former Collingwood Football Club president and ex-Nine CEO had previously expressed confidence that the show would return.
When the hiatus was first announced in August 2023, he shared: , ‘Shows sometimes become victims of their own success and their longevity.’
‘I sat down and said hello to people on the show and made them feel good over 15,500 times. Each of those people had their moment on TV, and some of them took home some money.
‘It’ll come back. It’s too good a format not to.’
At its peak, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? was one of Australia’s highest-rated programs, drawing more than two million viewers.
Its spin-off, Millionaire Hot Seat, launched in 2009, with McGuire continuing as host until the show's pause in 2024.
If Pang, 51, were to take on the role, he would be adding yet another project to his schedule, as his new show Sam Pang Tonight premiered this week on Network 10 and 10Play.
The eight-episode series debuted on 17 March at 8:40 pm, receiving mixed reviews and drawing comparisons to Rove Live and Saturday Night Rove.
With Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? possibly making a comeback, do you think Sam Pang would be the right fit as host? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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