EXCLUSIVE: A fresh bunch of contestants will be aiming to win a $25,000 bonus prize after Jimmy Fallon’s Password was renewed for a third season by NBC.
The show, which The Tonight Show star hosts alongside Keke Palmer, has just started production on its third season of the latest iteration of the iconic format.
In each episode of the show, which began life in the 1960s, recurring player Fallon teams up with a contestant to face off against a celebrity guest/contestant duo. With a series of one-word clues, teams race to guess the secret password for a chance to win cash prizes.
The second season of the show premiered in March 2024. NBC said that the season reached over 32M total viewers across linear and on Peacock.
The move comes after the show scooped a number of major Emmy nominations at the 2024 awards including for Outstanding Game Show.
Palmer was also nominated in 2023 and 2024 for Outstanding Host For A Game Show, making Emmy history as the first Black woman to win the category in 2023.
Password is produced by Fremantle in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio and Fallon’s Electric Hot Dog. Fallon and John Quinn serve as executive producers along with Jeffrey Breeden, who also serves as showrunner.
It’s one of many projects that Fallon is working on for the company. In addition to hosting The Tonight Show, Fallon is also debuting a new reality show this fall: On Brand with Jimmy Fallon. That show, which sees a group of people create marketing campaigns for companies, will premiere on September 30 and will feature two episodes a week, one on Tuesdays after The Voice and on Fridays. The SNL star, who made his Broadway debut earlier this year, was also behind That’s My Jam, which was set to return with its third season last year but has been delayed. He is also working on other high-profile unscripted projects for the network.
“We couldn’t be more excited to return to Password,” Fallon and Palmer said. “It’s the only show where you get to lock eyes with a total stranger and think, ‘OK, based on absolutely nothing, we’re going to bet that you understand that when one of us says ‘fluffy,’ we mean ‘pillow.’ We love working with each other so much and are taking it to another level this season with bigger guests, wilder guesses and guaranteed laughs.”
“Password has really connected with audiences, blending nostalgic charm with a modern twist,” added Sharon Vuong, EVP, Unscripted Programming, NBCUniversal Entertainment. “We’re delighted to pick up a new season and continue our partnership with everyone’s favorite resident player, Jimmy Fallon, and our phenomenal host, Keke Palmer. This season promises to deliver more of the unforgettable humor and surprise gameplay that audiences have come to love.”
“Password is a crown jewel in Fremantle’s robust portfolio of game shows,” said Kim Kleid, EVP of Current Programming, Fremantle. “This timeless format continues to captivate new generations and with Jimmy’s infectious energy and Keke’s magnetic charm, the show proves that great gameplay and great chemistry are always an irresistible mix.”
