Meredith Vieira to Depart WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE

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Deadline reports that Meredith Vieira will be leaving the syndicated game show WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE, after serving as host for the past 11 years. According to the report, a search is currently underway to find a new host.

Vieira garnered two Daytime Emmy Awards as host of the quiz show, in 2005 and 2008. The former member of 'The View' has hosted over 1,800 episodes and given away more than $70 million to "Millionaire" contestants.

Original episodes of Millionaire featuring Vieira as host will air through May. Repeats from the season will air through the summer, leading up to the introduction of a new host. Regis Philbin was the original host of the sydicated series until his retirement in 2002.

ABOUT WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE

You never know what will happen on "Millionaire"! Each weekday, contestants are given the extraordinary chance to turn their lives around and win $1-million by answering 14 general knowledge trivia questions. As America's richest game show, "Millionaire" continues to be the only game show to offer a $1-million prize to each and every contestant. With its cleverly written trivia questions that reveal fun and entertaining facts, contestants and viewers alike are able to get a playful learning experience filled with dramatic suspense that keeps everyone on The Edge of their seats.

Last season "Millionaire" hosted several celebrity contestants who won over one million dollars for various charities. The show will continue its tradition of giving by kicking off its 11th season with a brand new installment of "Celebrity Week" to benefit the Alzheimer's Association. The series will air September 17-21 in conjunction with World Alzheimer's Day on Friday, September 21. Participating celebrities include OSCAR(R) and Golden Globe-winning actress Mo'Nique, America's favorite cook and best-selling author, Paula Deen, comedian and actor Cheech Marin, television icon Jackée and Tony Dovolani from "Dancing with the Stars."