Million Dollar Password is the latest incarnation of the popular Password game show. After Password, Password Plus, and Super Password, we've got some more small changes to the game play in store for the million-dollar version.

Host Regis Philbin and Executive Producer Vincent Rubino recently spoke to the media about what we can expect from the game. To kick things off, both men admitted that they were and are fans of the original program, and Rubino told us that Password was the only game he had the home version of as a kid.

I'm sure lots of us remember that home game, with the little vinyl wallets that kept the passwords hidden!

Philbin recalled watching Jack Parr on the original show, and how he got so excited trying to get his partner to guess the word "luggage" that he actually said the word in frustration.

The Return Of Regis to Prime Time

Million Dollar Password marks Regis Philbin's return to prime time television. He was, of course, the original host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on ABC and took that game show to the top of the ratings. Philbin says that the major difference between the two shows are the number of people involved in the game. "As host, with Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? it was just one person. You could get involved with their life as the game carried on. Here we have two sets of twosomes, so there isn't time for that." He went on to say that the show doesn't suffer for lack of getting to know the contestants. "The game carries itself," he added.
Philbin also said that he was on board with the Password revival as soon as he was approached to host.

He was attracted to the fact that the show would be on CBS, which he said was "number one right now," as well as the million-dollar prize. "A million dollars is expected in game shows these days."

Format Changes

Rubino explained that the production staff had a bit of a challenge with the game format, since they wanted to welcome new viewers with a "spectacle," but also keep fans who already know and love the game. "We tried hard not to mess it up," he said. Still, there are some changes to look forward to.

The game itself will be more fast-paced, with 30 second "speed rounds" added. The elimination round has also been changed, and contestants will have to correctly guess five passwords out of a limited number of chances to win money.

A Family Show

Password has always been a fun game to play along with for the viewers, and Philbin says that this version is perfect for family viewing. He likes the Sunday evening time slot as well, saying that there is a "tremendous audience on a Sunday night" with families watching together.

Rubino thinks that this is an element that's missing in most prime time game shows today, and I suspect he's right. "Anyone of any age can play along, which is a great hook and one of the reasons why the format has lasted so long."

Celebrities

The celebrities on the show are major draws for the audience, and there are some big names appearing this time around. The premiere episode will feature actor Neil Patrick Harris and cooking diva Rachel Ray. Philbin says that Harris was "terrific," while Ray was a little bit "timid and frightened." Philbin himself played the game in 1982, and says that while he "didn't do too badly" on the show, it can be intimidating for stars to be there and put themselves on the line like that.

Other celebrities slated to appear on Million Dollar Password are Steven Weber (formerly of Wings), who Regis says was "excellent," Rosie O'Donnell, Sara Evans, Susie Essman, Steve Schirippa (The Sopranos), and Betty White.

Everyone is excited to see White back on Password. She appeared on all three of the previous versions, and married the original show's host Allen Ludden. Philbin knew White and Ludden as a couple, and enjoyed reminiscing with White during the tapings for this show. He says that she is still an exceptional player, and was a lot of fun.

Both Rubino and Philbin agreed that their dream celebrity contestant on the show would be George Clooney, because he's uber-popular of course, but he's also very smart. I think Million Dollar Password is going to be a resounding success, even without the presence of Mr. Clooney!

Million Dollar Password premieres Sunday June 1st at 8pm on CBS.