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Vieira Keeps Hectic But Rewarding Schedule With 'Millionaire,' 'Today'

By WALT BELCHER

Published: Jul 5, 2007

Meredith Vieira likes to ask the questions, but don't ask her to sit in the hot seat and answer them.

The host of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" says there's a reason why she keeps "a poker face" while a contestant sweats over the possible answers.

"Chances are I wouldn't know the answer if I didn't have it written down," Vieira said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

"You would think that I would have learned a lot after hosting it so long, but it all goes by so fast, and it sort of washes over me," she says. "I'm not skilled at trivia, and I don't retain the questions and answers from the show."

Vieira is coming up on her first anniversary as co-host on NBC's "Today" show and her sixth season with "Millionaire."

She replaced Katie Couric on "Today" in September. Vieira has received rave reviews and appears to be a good fit for the morning show. The ratings haven't skipped a beat, and Vieira works well with co-hosts Matt Lauer, Ann Curry and Al Roker.

She has no regrets about leaving "The View," which she co-hosted from 1997 to 2006.

"I miss the people, and they are all good friends, but after nine years, I was ready for a change," she says. "If I didn't take this opportunity ['Today'], then it might never have come my way again."

She says "Today" is a great challenge "because you can go from reporting on the presidential pardon of Scooter Libby to grilling hamburgers outside on the patio - from one kind of grilling to another - and I love that. Switching gears makes it so much fun."

Vieira is looking forward, she says, to "Today" assignments that include increased coverage of the presidential race, an interview with "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and preparation for coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

For the next few months, she will be switching gears even more because she will be taping "Millionaire" episodes after she signs off "Today."

"When my schedule is written out, it looks crazy and daunting," she says." But once I get going, it's exciting and rewarding.

"We tape four and five a day through November, but the 'Millionaire' production crew is flexible. If there is breaking news or an assignment for 'Today,' we will hold production until I return."

She took over "Millionaire" in 2002 after Regis Philbin stepped down. He was the host when the series was a prime time hit from 1999 to 2001.

"Some people thought the show wouldn't survive after so much exposure in prime time, but the game stands on its own," she says. "And while I would like to think that the host has something to do with the success, the truth is the game is fun to play."

Last year, Vieira won a daytime Emmy for outstanding game show host. It was just the second time a woman has won the title. Betty White won in 1983 for hosting the short-lived "Just Men!"

Vieira sympathizes with the contestants. She played a celebrity round of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" when Philbin was host. She was so nervous that she threw up.

"MILLIONAIRE" AUDITIONS: Talent scouts from "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" will be at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center on Friday to interview potential players for this coming season.

Auditions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to contestants with general knowledge, they will be looking for movie buffs for a special movie-themed week.

Also, "Millionaire" is looking for engaged couples to play as a team in the hot seat for Play to Pay for Your Wedding Week. For contestant rules, go to www.millionairetv.com.

"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" airs at 9 and 9:30 a.m. weekdays on WTSP, Channel 10.

HOT DOG: On the day after the National Hot Dog Eating Championships, PBS outlet WEDU, Channel 3, repeats one of my favorite documentaries.

"A Hot Dog Program," at 10 tonight, has aired often since its debut in 1999, and it's always a treat.

Producer Rick Sebak visits some fabled tube steak eateries such as Pink's in Hollywood; the Varsity in Atlanta; Skins in Anderson, S.C., and Nathan's at Coney Island, N.Y.