Game Show Legend Ken Jennings Sits in as Resident 'Expert' on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' November 3 - 7, 2008

Game Show Legend Ken Jennings Sits in as Resident 'Expert' on 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,' November 3 - 7, 2008

NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" contestants will take to the hot seat with added confidence next week, as game show legend Ken Jennings sits in as resident "Expert" in episodes airing November 3 - 7, 2008.

The new "Ask The Expert" lifeline enables contestants to connect with a pre-determined "Expert" via a live face-to-face Skype video call on any question past the $1,000 level. Hosted by the Emmy Award-winning Meredith Vieira, Millionaire premiered its seventh season this past September. Check local listings or go to http://www.millionairetv.com/ for more information.

"When the idea of 'Ask The Expert' was introduced, the first name we discussed was Ken Jennings," said Millionaire Executive Producer Michael Davies. "We are delighted that that he has finally become part of the Millionaire family."

In 2004, Jennings made television history when he was crowned the winner of 74 consecutive episodes of Jeopardy, winning more than $2.5 million. Jennings currently holds the record for the longest winning streak in game show history.

"Winning big on a quiz show was the most fun I've ever had, so hopefully I can make that same dream come true for a few other people as well," said Jennings.

Jennings told participating Millionaire contestants that his categories of strength include Books, Movies and Geography and that his weaknesses include Sports and Reality Television.

Other "Experts" who have appeared this season include Bill Nye the Science Guy, actor Jay Thomas, Headline News' Robin Meade and former Millionaire contestants Ogi Ogas ($500,000 winner) and Nancy Christy ($1 million winner).

Prior to his record-breaking appearance on Jeopardy, Jennings was a captain of his Quiz Bowl team at Brigham Young University. He later worked for National Academic Quiz Tournaments (NAQT), where he wrote and edited quiz questions for nationwide high school and college quiz tournaments. Jennings now freelances as a writer and has written two books, including Ken Jennings Trivia Almanac: 8,888 Questions in 365 Days (2008) and Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs (2006).

Jennings currently resides outside of Seattle, WA with his wife Mindy and their children Dylan (age 5) and Caitlin (age 2).

About "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"

"Millionaire" is produced by Valleycrest Productions Ltd. and is distributed by Disney-ABC Domestic Television. Michael Davies and Leigh Hampton are executive producers. Meredith Vieira is co-executive producer. The game show is directed by Emmy Award-winning director Matthew Cohen.

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Source: Disney-ABC Domestic Television

CONTACT: Trisha Miller, Millionaire Publicist, +1-212-456-2559, cell,
+1-917-848-5787, tmillsnyc@yahoo.com, for Disney-ABC Domestic Television

Web site: http://www.millionairetv.com/

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