• July 23, 2001

While there's still no final answer as to who will host the syndicated version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, " the show's executive producer said Regis Philbin is a front-runner.

It all depends on how many nights "Millionaire" airs in primetime, Michael Davies said on Sunday at the Television Critics Assn.'s press tour in Pasadena.

Disney-owned syndicator Buena Vista Television has targeted a fall 2002 launch for the half-hour weekday version of the game show, which will air twice a week on ABC's primetime schedule this fall. If corporate sibling ABC limits it to once a week in primetime in fall 2002, "that would leave the door open for Regis to do 'Millionaire' in syndication," said Davies.

Separately, Davies said that if "The Runner," the new reality series he's producing for ABC, fares well, he's looking to sell the format to international markets.

- Reuters/Variety