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Fox revives reality dating series Joe Millionaire after 18-year break

US broadcast network Fox is rebooting its reality dating series Joe Millionaire, which ran for two seasons in 2003.

Rob Wade

The new iteration, Joe Millionaire: For Richer or Poorer, will premiere on the main Fox network in January 2022.

Produced by Fox’s in-house factual studio Fox Alternative Entertainment (FAE) and SallyAnn Salsano of 495 Productions (Jersey Shore, Paradise Hotel), the revival will feature two men, one a millionaire and the other an “average Joe.” Twenty women will date both men, unaware of which man is the millionaire and which is not.

The show is a twist on the original format, which saw one bachelor – who claims to have inherited millions of dollars – date several women who are unaware that he is not a millionaire. When the bachelor chooses his perfect match, the ruse is revealed to her and she is given the choice of whether to stay with him or not. If she decides to stay with him anyway, the couple is surprised with a real cheque for US$1m.

The season-one finale, which aired in February 2003, remains one of the most-watched unscripted TV episodes ever, according to Fox. The format was also adapted locally in the UK, where it ran for one season on Channel 4’s youth network E4.

Following its linear run in 2022, the rebooted reality series will move to Fox Entertainment’s AVoD platform Tubi. The first season of the 2003 series also launched on Tubi on Wednesday.

“This revival of Joe Millionaire represents a potent combination: one of the most innovative and popular dating shows of all time with SallyAnn Salsano, who ranks among the most fearless producers in the business,” said Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials at Fox Entertainment.

“I’ve long admired Joe Millionaire for its daring premise, and since the moment I joined Fox, I’ve wanted to bring it back in the spotlight in a whole new way for both new viewers and fans of the original.”

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