Dennis Miller became famous during the late '80s as host of SNL's Weekend Update sketch-news program.

Fast-talking Dennis Miller is about to leave his past as the mercenary man of comedy behind him.

The libertarian pundit and former Saturday Night Live star is getting ready to embark on a lighter and more amiable career as a game-show host.

"I decided to, you know, rid myself of some of the sardonics and just being nicer ... I've got a nice side to me too," Miller says.

The face of NBC's new memory-teasing game show, Amne$ia, promises he's ready to mellow out and leave his infamous sneering sensibility behind him.

"But I've been paid to be a smart-ass for so many years ... I thought, that's not going to play over now -- or that's not going to play over the length of a season," he says.

As host of the psychological brain-teasing show, Miller will challenge contestants to remember details from the depths of their past, every question answered correctly equals $1,000 in prize money.

Mega reality TV producer Mark Burnett (Survivor, Rock Star, The Apprentice) is the mastermind behind the series, which premieres tonight on NBC and Global.

Burnett says it's a light-hearted comedic look at someone's mind.

"People literally can't even choose their own doormat from 12 doormats on the stage. They walk over this thing every single day and for $20,000 they can't choose the correct mat, or they get a moment where they -- (about) their own wedding night -- can't remember the hotel they stayed at with their wife," Burnett says.

"You can just imagine Dennis Miller laughing along with this."

Miller has crafted a place for himself as the sharp-witted host of various alternative-TV programs, including his own talk show The Dennis Miller Show and Dennis Miller Live. He also has made a foray into the world of sports as sidekick on Monday Night Football in 2000-01.

He became famous during the late '80s as host of SNL's Weekend Update sketch-news program and continued to craft his persona around his conservative rants and hold-no-punches comedy style.

Amne$ia will mark the comedian's first stab at mainstream, family viewing.

The 54-year-old says he's not going soft, just embarking on something a little different.

"I'm a genuinely friendly guy. I wanted to be friendly with these people (contestants). So that's the vibe I'm going for. It doesn't have to be rat-a-tat-tat. It doesn't have to be killer funny," he says.

"But, I like to put the little zingers in -- and to be nice. Have a good evening with the people, and hope they win some bread."

Miller says hosting a game show may not have been his desired line of work a few years ago -- but when Mark Burnett pitches you a program, it is hard to turn him down.

"I've never missed an episode of Survivor since the end of the first season,.

"I didn't watch the first season because I was acting above it all and then I watched the last one ... I remember thinking Mark Burnett, wow. That's interesting, I'm taking this call."