"Million Dollar Password" (2008)TV series

While they've made some adjustments and modernizations, perhaps the reason "Jeopardy," "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Price is Right" have remained popular and on-air for so long is that they have basically stayed pretty much the same over the years.

Other formerly popular programs which have been later reestablished don't seem to have fared so well. This could prove to be one of those.

The previous "Password" program (with the "...Plus" successor, not substantially different) combined celebrities with regular folk to provide a balance of a modicum of both cerebral challenge and humor.

Given that technology provides the basis for more glitz, noise and lights, this program may have gone a bit far, and audience noise during the proceedings is distracting. The set-up of the set and the lighting could be a bit more subdued. Everything need not be as subdued as the old version, but again, there's a bit much.

Now two contestants play quick rounds, with the winner needing to identify 5 clues correctly within 1-1/2 minutes to win $10K. This can be risked to win $25K, and if won this is the least he/she will depart with. From then forward, incrementally to the $1MM round, 5 correct answers must be given from fewer words available, and they become more difficult.

Both contestants here won the $25K, with the second one barely missing the $250K after having (temporarily) won $100K.

Regis Philbin hosts, and except for different shirt/tie ensemble, could have arrived from a "...Millionaire"-revival taping.

Rachael Ray and Neil Patrick Harris were the celebrities. Whenever there is a potential excess (here, e.g., fore-mentioned lights and noise), Rachael's presence also provides the risk of excess "perkiness." And one fact clearly revealed during the show was that Neil is apparently a little bit smarter than Rachael.

All-in-all a decent production, deserving benefit of the doubt as a new venture, and worth another viewing. Will be very surprised if anybody ever risks big bucks going for the million here - which would require getting 5-for-5, with the limit of three clues each, and reverting to $25K if unsuccessful.