Million Dollar Password was a prime-time revival of the classic word-guessing game Password that aired on CBS from June 1, 2008, to June 14, 2009. The series updated the original format for a modern television audience while keeping its central premise: contestants and celebrity partners give and guess single-word clues to identify secret words. The program was fronted by long-time television personality Regis Philbin.

Format and play

The show paired civilian contestants with well-known celebrities for head-to-head rounds of clue-giving and guessing. Players attempted to convey a target word using short, often one-word, clues while avoiding illegal hints. Correct guesses scored points and advanced contestants toward a high-stakes bonus round. The production emphasized fast pacing, tight interaction between partners, and a dramatic buildup to a final challenge that offered a top prize of one million dollars to a successful contestant.

Key features

  • Celebrity partners: Each contestant worked with a rotating celebrity team member, a hallmark carried over from the original Password.
  • Word-guessing mechanics: Players relied on concise clues rather than long explanations to prompt correct responses.
  • High-stakes bonus: The series climaxed with a specially structured final round designed to test speed and precision under pressure.
  • Broadcast and production: The series aired on CBS as a primetime game show with production values tailored to modern audiences.
  • Promotional positioning: Marketed as an updated take on a classic, it drew viewers familiar with the original while introducing the format to new fans via network promotion and celebrity guests; see network press and listings at game show pages.

History and legacy

Million Dollar Password was an explicit revival of a format that first became popular in the 1960s. The original program established many conventions of televised word games, including pairing civilians with celebrities and limiting clue types to promote challenge and fairness. The 2008 series retained those elements while adding contemporary production elements and a large top prize to increase audience interest. Though its run was brief, the revival is remembered for showcasing quick-thinking contestants and the chemistry between celebrities and contestants, and for bringing a classic board-style parlor game into a modern studio setting.

For additional background on the broader franchise and its earlier incarnations, consult network and series entries or archived episode guides; a useful starting point is the program's network information and related coverage at series pages and broadcast summaries at original format entries and other reference listings at game show resources.