Cedric The Entertainer steps down from hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to focus on other TV, film projects

Connecticut is a long way from Hollywood. Too far, it appears, for Cedric The Entertainer to handle a bicoastal life as host of syndicated game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire, star of TV Land’s The Soul Man, and pursue other projects.

So he has quit the game show.

Final answer.

Cedric The Entertainer told fans last night via Twitter: “To all my fans of @MillionaireTV. I confirm that I have stepped away from hosting the show, due to the Production move to Conn,and my Sched.”

Cedric The Entertainer, who just turned 50 a week ago, took over as host of Disney-ABC’s Millionaire only this past season in September, taking over for Meredith Vieira. Millionaire had taped shows months in advance of broadcast in New York City, but recently announced a move in taping locations just north to Connecticut. Cedric has three children and lives with his wife in Los Angeles.

As his Twitter bio notes, season three of The Soul Man just started in March; he also has a reality series, Cedric’s Barber Battle, in the works for The CW, a video/podcast “Whole Damn World” and roles in sequels to both the animated Planes and live-action Barbershop films.

A lengthier statement appeared on Ced’s website late yesterday:

“With the many television and film projects that I have going on which shoot and promote in various parts of the country, a production-base in Connecticut would make it quite difficult to maneuver the many moving parts on my plate. So, after much thought and some serious conversations with senior executives at the studio, I decided to let Disney-ABC know that, unfortunately, I’m not able to continue on as host.”

“It has truly been a fantastic ride hosting Millionaire this year — a really great time!  Thanks so much to all the fans, contestants, crew, and everyone involved for making it such a fun and gratifying experience.  As I always say on the show in parting, ‘Watch Your Wallet’!”

And an official reaction quote from Disney-ABC: “Cedric is a tremendous talent and we’d like to thank him for infusing his unique brand of humor and entertainment into the show. It has been an absolute pleasure working with him on Millionaire this year — we’ll certainly miss him.”

Photo above of Cedric The Entertainer for GQ.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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2 thoughts on “Cedric The Entertainer steps down from hosting Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to focus on other TV, film projects

  1. I miss Cedric…he just fitted. I like the new host personally but don’t feel he fits. His dressing is weird and he tries to hard and is phony.

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