“Secret Millionaire,” a new Fox reality show based on a British hit, debuts at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Its premise is sort of intriguing: A millionaire agrees to give away tens of thousand of dollars of his or her own money after spending time in an impoverished community where no one knows he or she is rich.
Nice touch for these times, eh? Anyhow, the show’s title calls to mind these five “millionaire” TV shows or characters.
The Millionaire 1955-60
Each week on this dramatic anthology, the title character, John Beresford Tipton (who was heard, but never seen on camera), would instruct his personal secretary to bestow a check for $1 million (tax-free) on an unsuspecting individual.
The millionaire and his wife 1964-67
How the wealthy, stuffy Thurston Howell III (Jim Backus) and his wife, Lovey (Natalie Schafer), were referred to in the “Gilligan’s Island” theme song. They’re still the subjects of one of TV’s enduring mysteries: How did they know to pack three years’ worth of clothing on a three-hour tour?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
1999-
Incredibly popular game show hosted on ABC by Regis Philbin, and now in syndication by Meredith Vieira.
Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire?
2000
Infamous Fox reality show in which contestant Rick Rockwell winnowed out Darva Conger from a group of 50 women. Shortly after the show aired, it was revealed Rockwell had been slapped with a restraining order by a former girlfriend.
Joe Millionaire
2003
Highly successful Fox reality show in which an ordinary schmo pretended to be a millionaire to win a hot babe’s heart. The test came when said hot babe learned Joe Millionaire wasn’t even Joe the Plumber.
