"Super Millionaire," like its less-generous younger sibling "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?," is forbidden fruit for ABC. The game show offers such quick ratings rewards that it's easy to forget that it helped devour ABC's schedule in the not-so-distant past. Introduced for a limited run at the conclusion of February sweeps, "Super Millionaire" will return to ABC's lineup in May sweeps as well.

It's unclear how often the show will air in May, but host Regis Philbin is expected to return.

In its Sunday (Feb. 22) premiere, "Super Millionaire" averaged nearly 17.5 million viewers. In each of its subsequent three telecasts, it has ranked as ABC's most watched show for the night and it has provided dramatic improvement over the shows normal occupying those slots. "Super Millionaire" has also averaged a 4 million viewer improvement over its lead-ins.

Thus far, the show has given away $1.795 million dollars, including the million dollar win by Robert Essig, a computer specialist of Ashtabula, OH.

"With 'Super Millionaire,' the 'Millionaire' franchise is an event again," says executive producer Michael Davies. "This is how this show was designed to be scheduled, and it's how it works best. Regis has been amazing, and we're both delighted with the early pick-up. Neither of us can wait until May."