13 years after coming off the screen, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" returns to arc 12 • Erez Tal, who got into Yoram Arbel's shoes, admits that he feared the old format would not work these days but is pleased with the result • "It works surprisingly," he says

• "It's not a reality where you mow each other down." Dew

  Photo: 

  Tal Givoni

13 years after it went off the screen in Israel, tomorrow evening, after the news, the program "Who wants to be a millionaire?" Yoram Arbel, who moderated the Israeli version of the program in the early 2000s, will be replaced by Erez Tal.

The popular trivia game was born in the UK in 1998 and has spread around the world in local versions. It was broadcast in Israel between 1999 and 2007, first on a network franchise and then on Channel 10. His comeback these days is happening not only in Israel, but all over the world, and one of the reasons for this is the Corona (see article below).

"There is a comeback of 'who wants to be a millionaire' all over the world, and it has been strengthened in recent months by the Corona. It works surprisingly well," says Erez Tal. "I guess it has to do with the fact that a lot of programs have been discontinued because of the Corona, and it's a show that can be organized relatively quickly." 

Have you been debating whether to accept the offer to direct the program?

"I thought a bit before. I wanted to refresh my memory and also see the new versions that came up. I saw the American version that came up in April hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, and it works fine. So I said 'yes'. . 

Still this is an old format. Did you make adjustments to the period?

"I also asked it, but it turns out it's a tough format and the British format owners are very jealous of it. They were not ready for any change. What has changed is the pace, we will be faster than it was. If you compare programs we recorded to programs previously broadcast - you will feel a little difference "But at the format level it's exactly the same format. I was a little skeptical if it could work and I wanted to make changes, but two days ago I saw the first show and said 'Wow, that's fine, I'm happy. 

You invented at the time the "safe" which was a kind of competitor to "who wants to be a millionaire".

"True. It was a response to 'Millionaire'. 'The Safe' worked great at the time, and there was thought to be a return, but right now Keshet has identified an opportunity with 'Millionaire' and we went for it. I believe 'The Safe' will have its moment." 

In my opinion, amusements of this kind are your favorite. 

"I did both and both, but it's true that I do amusements in a very relaxed and smooth way." 

Do you believe that a trivia amusement can compete these days with big reality shows like "Survival"?

"" Let's be realistic. 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' is not a reality that is mowed down. It is a game that pays homage to knowledge and is very suitable for family viewing. If it does half the rating of what it did in the previous incarnation - that's great. "

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in the first episode You Host Yoram Arbel, who deserves to pass on the instruction to you. How was the meeting with him? 

"Yoram is truly an excellent facilitator. He's done 200 'millionaire' shows, and I guess Keshet has gone with me because I identify with them, but Yoram is a gentleman and an honor for me to be continuing through him. " 

How have you been going through the last few months since the outbreak of the corona? 

" Everything is not simple. I'm mostly bothered because a great many people I work with and my friends have been out of work for a long time. This is very disturbing. There are a lot of independent people who do not belong to any big body that cares about them, and I think we need to help them. "In places where I can hire someone - I do it, but we're also limited."