BAP Millionaire 9/16 (Syndie premiere) with pop-ups
Brett A. Pasternack
premiered today. From Feud: is it me, or was Karn making fun of a
contestant for saying "George Brett" for "name a famous George"? I mean,
I wasn't shocked that he wasn't up there, but Karn seemed unaware that
he was a real person. Hey, not only is he in the Hall of Fame, but he
was my favorite player when I was growing up (for obvious reasons). And
I ain't that old. Ah, well, they didn't have George Harrison on the list
either. From Pyramid: In the "Cher Songs" category, could the celeb have
sung the songs? Is that allowed? Also, that Paige guy can't be famous if
the TV Geek couldn't think of his name (there was a Geek-Off category of
actors from Queer As Folk today).
But that's not why we're here, is it?
. o O ( Airdate: 9/16/02 )
. o O ( Yom Kippur )
. o O ( Channel 2 in New York preceded the show with a brief
acknowledgment of the holiday--although anyone who observed the holiday
would not be watching. )
It's the first episode of the NEW, syndicated, weekday version of Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire. Not surprisingly, things feel the same, yet
different. The show starts off with a variant on the prime-time show's
opening--the same basic theme song, and the same basic idea of shots of
New York's skyline, but not the original. A bit faster-paced, I think.
. o O ( In New York, the broadcast started about a minute and a half
before the announced 4PM start. )
And, of course, those two people coming into the room aren't Regis
Philbin and a returning champion. They're Meredith Vieira and a
brand-new contestant. Vieira explains that there are two things that
will be different--the Fastest Finger round is gone, and she's not
Regis. She's glad the FF is gone, because she was bad at it on the celeb
show. She sucks up to the crowd a bit, and then introduces the
contestant, Paul Miller of Centereach, NY. I'm sure it was no accident
that he was chosen to go first--he's a New York City firefighter. Can't
think of a better way to start. He's also helped deliver three kids. The
questions, we are told up front, will be tougher.
"Let's play Millionaire", sayeth Meredith. Hey, it's a half hour show
now, everything's gotta be shorter!
$100: Jiffy Pop is a popular brand of what?
A) Popcorn B) Soft drink
C) Popsicle D) Viagra
The joke answer D lives! Well, briefly, anyway. A is his answer,
correct.
. o O ( "Popsicle", like "Viagra", is a brand name. )
. o O ( The popcorn double whammy on the show Whammy! is making Jiffy
Pop. )
. o O ( First question on the primetime US version of Millionaire:
For $100:
What's the main task of a professional taxidermist?
A) Stuffing animals B) Driving a cab
C) Accounting D) Treating wounds )
. o O ( The answer was also A. )
. o O ( One of the other questions on that episode was:
What substance used to stiffen shirt collars is also found in some
foods? )
. o O ( Answer choices included D) Viagra. )
$200: In the 1975 movie Jaws, what kind of shark is the title character?
A) Mako shark B) Hammerhead shark
C) Great White shark D) Tiger shark
C.
. o O ( Not E) Land shark, F) Card shark, or G) Loan shark )
. o O ( Jaws was the first movie ever to reach an important level... )
. o O ( $100 million. )
$300: In its US version, which of these board games requires you to
collect six wedge-shaped pieces to win?
A) Risk B) Trivial Pursuit
C) Life D) Candy Land
B) is a bit of trivia that helps his pursuit of money.
$500: A blindfolded woman carrying a scale is traditionally used to
represent which of these concepts?
A) Justice B) Liberty
C) Wisdom D) Community
A.
They're just sprinting through the early questions--this part has been
heavily, and at times a bit sloppily, edited. Also, Meredith is like the
anti-Chris Tarrant; she's way too nice. She called him "sweetie", for
goodness' sake!
$1000: The period known as the Renaissance takes its name from a word
meaning what?
A) Enlightenment B) Truth
C) Rebirth D) Victory
C), and the rebirth of Millionaire reaches its first safe level.
$2000: People would most likely use the mnemonic "Every Good Boy Does
Fine" when doing what?
. o O ( In 1971, the Moody Blues released an album titled Every Good
Boy... )
. o O ( ...Deserves Favour. )
. o O ( That's the British version of the mnemonic. )
A) Learning geography B) Reading music
C) Reading Latin D) Learning to type
He's doing fine with B)
$4000: What is the national capital of Canada:
. o O ( The first contestant on the primetime version crapped out at
this level. )
. o O ( David Korotkin thought Benazir Bhutto was the Prime Minister of
India, not Pakistan. )
A) Winnipeg B) Calgary
. o O ( "Where's that?" "Alberta, Canada". )
C) Edmonton D) Ottawa
I'm very surprised not to see Toronto or Montreal as wrong answers here.
D) is correct.
. o O ( The first question on the Canadian version of Millionaire:
"If someone is treated fair and square, they have been treated:
A) Rudely B) Maliciously C) Honestly D) Like the lizard queen." )
. o O ( Answer: C )
Meredith tells him he's very brave. I'm sure he is, if he's in the NYFD,
but I'd hate to think she'd base that just on his answering the
questions so far.
$8000: In the US, how many tablespoons are in a cup?
. o O ( On the show Sports Night, when sports anchor Casey McCall was
booked to appear on Meredith Vieira's show The View, his co-anchor Dan
Rydell derisively referred to it as "that cooking show". )
. o O ( McCall had to admit that the other guest that day was Paul
Prudhomme, the chef. )
A) 12 B) 16
C) 18 D) 24
We're getting our first syndie lifeline. Paul wants to ATA. 15-41-7-37
is their less-than resounding verdict. Paul thinks it should be
divisible by 8, but that just leaves him with the two that the audience
liked. Under the old rules, you'd have to figure that the 50/50 would do
the same--but under the new syndie rules, 50/50 removes two wrong
answers at random, not two selected in advance by the writers. Sure
enough, it removes D, along with A. That's enough for Paul to choose B.
And he's right!
After the break, we meet Paul's wife, Eileen, who's quite pretty. Paul
explains that when they met in a bar, he gave her his number but she
wouldn't tell her his (she's not supposed to, according to Meredith),
and she never called him. That would have been that, but one of his
friends met her in another bar and took her to him.
$16,000: In the human body, adrenaline is produced by glands on top of
which of these organs?
A) Lungs B) Liver
C) Stomach D) Kidneys
No hesitation. D. Correct.
. o O ( Not E) Penis )
Meredith wonders how he knew that, and he reminds her that he's
delivered babies. She responds with a Regis-esque "Now he knows
everything."
$32,000: Which of these scientists became famous for his theoretical
work on black holes?
A) Carl Sagan B) Richard Feynman
C) Stephen Hawking D) Freeman Dyson
He's unsure, and Meredith suggests the PAF. He'll call his father, Bob.
This is still sponsored by AT&T, by the way.
Bob has it down to A and C, and when asked for a preference likes C.
. o O ( Black holes were also the subject of a question on the first day
of Back To School Jeopardy! airing the same day. )
. o O ( One contestant made the mistake of calling them "dark holes". )
He's still not convinced, but he'll go with his father.
Did I say Meredith was the anti-Chris Tarrant? Hold the phone! She gives
a KILLER performance on the reveal, seeming almost shocked, muttering
something about the risk he is taking--and then finally saying that he's
right. Damn! Terrific job here that really pumped up the drama.
"I'm gonna have a heart attack", she adds.
$64,000: What US Senator was known as "The Great Compromiser" for his
efforts to keep the Union from dividing?
A) Daniel Webster B) Stephen Douglas
C) John C. Calhoun D) Henry Clay
He thinks three of the four are possible, but they each say "free guess"
about a hundred times, and his will be D.
He should
.
.
.
have said
.
.
.
exactly what he said, D. Another good performance from MV in heightening
the suspense.
To the ad break, and here's a ticket plug for GSN to cut out ten years
from now. 212-479-7755 is the number to call to attend a taping.
Meredith fawns over him some more, and asks Eileen what she thinks.
"That's my hero!"
$125,000: Measuring 9.5
. o O ( on the Richter scale )
in magnitude, the largest earthquake of the 20th century took place in
what country?
A) Chile B) Russia
C) United States C) India
Meredith may be good at prolonging the drama, but Paul isn't. He quickly
decides to walk away. He would have guessed A. He should have--he would
have been right. But, hey, he's still leaving with $64,000. AND he's
Meredith's favorite contestant ever, because, she says, you always
remember your first.
. o O ( The earthquake killed over 2000 people--including 170 in Asia,
due to the tidal waves it caused. )
And here to try to be equally memorable is Alicia King Marshall of
Greenville, CA. She reminds me just a little of Sheryl Crow, so it's
appropriate that she's an aspiring songwriter as well as a mother of
two. Time is short, so "Let's play Millionaire".
$100: Which of these articles of clothing is usually held in place by
straps tied around the neck?
A) Camisole B) Tube top
C) Halter top D) Straitjacket
I guess that's a gag D answer as well, although I could actually imagine
someone thinking it's correct. Not Alicia, though, who knows it's C.
$200: The sequel to what popular 1990s movie is subtitled "Back In The
Habit"?
A) Batman B) Ghost
C) Home Alone D) Sister Act
D.
$300: Children usually experience discomfort known as "growing pains" in
which part of the body?
A) Neck B) Shoulders
C) Legs D) Wrists
Tougher first five questions then we're used to, as promised. Tougher
than Paul's, too, for that matter. But not for a mom, who knows how to
use C has her final answer.
. o O ( Not E) ABC Family Channel )
$500: In the classic TV ads, what was the usual response to the
question, "Pardon me, but do you have any Grey Poupon"?
A) Surely I do B) But of course
C) Well let me check D) Say please
Is it B? But of course!
$1000: Introduced in 2001, Harmony is a breakfast cereal target at which
category of consumer?
A) Women B) Kids
C) Seniors D) Athletes
She's never heard of the cereal, but hopes the audience has. They vote
56-3-37-4. She'll trust them, and Meredith will suck up to them some
more before revealing that they are
.
.
.
correct! What's with 37% of the audience today?
. o O ( According to General Mills, the cereal "contains nutrients women
need to stay healthy, including calcium, antioxidants, iron, and folic
acid." )
After an ad break, we learn that Alicia is such a worrying mother that
she's nicknamed "The Queen of Concern".
. o O ( It's funny...she doesn't *look* Jewish. )
$2000: Publisher John Bartlett is best known for his 1855 book titled
"Familiar" what?
A) Birds B) Family names
C) Quotations D) Cities
She's thinking C, but she's unsure enough to take the 50/50. It leaves B
and C. B was her second choice, but it's not worth burning her last
lifeline, so she'll say C.
C turns orange...
.
another dramatic pause
.
C turns green!
. o O ( http://www.bartleby.com/100/ )
Alicia proclaims Meredith "The Queen of Suspense". She might have
something there. Time for one more question.
$4000: Who served as US vice president under President Dwight D.
Eisenhower?
. o O ( As opposed to serving under Professor Dwight Q. Eisenhower? The
old pay-writers-by-the-word thing seems to be back. )
A) Nelson Rockefeller B) Spiro Agnew
C) Lyndon Johnson D) Richard Nixon
This strikes me as easier than some of the lower-level questions--but
Alicia doesn't know it. She'll have to call Phil Raymond--evidentally we
aren't getting the PAF's jobs anymore.
He's calling out the question and answers to one or more people, but
someone comes up with D, with 100% confidence.
That
confidence
is
.
.
.
justified!
. o O ( The others served under Ford, Nixon, and Kennedy, respectively.
)
AH-WOOOO!
. o O ( Total winnings this episode: $64,000 )
. o O ( Total winnings to date: $64,000 )
The show is "officially over", Meredith says, so "From New York
everybody, Bye-bye!", some fee plugs, and the closing credits are all
the post-game show, I guess.
Overall, a good first outing. Vieira isn't terribly comfortable yet, but
those dramatic reveals kicked ass. The questions seem to be harder, but
not too much so. The set and most of the other elements seem to be
pretty much intact.
. o O ( "Pop-Up Video" is a trademark of VH-1, Viacom, and Spin the
Bottle Productions. )
. o O ( Adapted for atgs by Dean Scungio. )
. o O ( POP! )
Michael Brandenburg
a.t.g.s. on 9-17-2002:
«««Overall, a good first outing. Vieira isn't terribly comfortable yet, but
those dramatic reveals kicked ass. The questions seem to be harder, but not too
much so. The set and most of the other elements seem to be pretty much intact.
»»»
That pretty well summed up my own view of the show -- I did notice a few
minor changes in the typefonts on the graphics, and those swiveling lights got
a new arrangement (there seems to be more of them). Still, if it can stand a
5-day-a-week airing (questionable, given the ratings hit the ABC network
version took in 2000 after it went to four nights a week), it should do well --
but I'm going to miss that "Enhanced TV" play-along online game that they
probably won't be able to incorporate into this version, at least for a while.
Of course, the little desks for the "fastest finger" players are gone, and a
few more audience rows seem to have been added into the space they once
occupied. But I noticed one other thing missing as well -- did anyone who
watched that show spot it?
(scroll down for the answer)
Michael Brandenburg
(It was that big-screen TV that was in the foreground on the two-shot with
Regis and the "Hot Seat" contestant on the ABC network version, which leads me
to ask: Did one of the 9 players who won $1 million or more on the network
version decided to buy it for his own home, per that "Want to know how to spend
your millions? Bigger TV!" suggestion that ABC made prior to their commercial
breaks on that edition?)
Captvangin
>Regis and the "Hot Seat" contestant on the ABC network version, which leads
>me
>to ask: Did one of the 9 players who won $1 million or more on the network
>version decided to buy it for his own home, per that "Want to know how to
>spend
>your millions? Bigger TV!" suggestion that ABC made prior to their
>commercial
>breaks on that edition?)
Actually, the center game console is different altogether. The change is very
subtle but noticeable. Also, there's a blue neon trim around the set.
"Game Show Man" Joe Van Ginkel
Holding out hope that WWTBAM might survive.
Dave Mackey
news:20020917111854...@mb-mf.aol.com...
> (It was that big-screen TV that was in the foreground on the two-shot
with
> Regis and the "Hot Seat" contestant on the ABC network version, which
leads me
> to ask: Did one of the 9 players who won $1 million or more on the network
> version decided to buy it for his own home, per that "Want to know how to
spend
> your millions? Bigger TV!" suggestion that ABC made prior to their
commercial
> breaks on that edition?)
And that wasn't even a plasma screen when the show started. It was at first
a lightbox with a matrix of $100 bills on the inside.
Brett A. Pasternack
> a new arrangement (there seems to be more of them). Still, if it can stand a
> 5-day-a-week airing (questionable, given the ratings hit the ABC network
> version took in 2000 after it went to four nights a week), it should do well --
Reasonable point, but remember that 5 half-hour episodes are only equal
to 2 and a half primetime eps.
Victor L. Romany
<bret...@erols.com> wrote:
>She sucks up to the crowd a bit, and then introduces the
>contestant, Paul Miller of Centereach, NY
Wow, a MAWG as the first contestant! I guess all the whining here on
ATGS reached their ears. But then again, he isnt a computer guy,
lawyer, or trivia bowl participant, so he doesnt really count as a
MAWG.
Vic Romany
Kathy's Guy Since 6/16/02
"Victor L. Romany" <vic...@westmik.net> wrote in message
news:gg6fougmt8out72a6...@4ax.com...
Interestingly enough, though, he lives a mere 10 min. from me. :-)
Chuck Donegan (The Illustrious "Chuckie Baby")
Michael Falkner
In the NYFD.
So another beautiful person, as it were...
Mike
Leszek Pawlowicz
>
> Wow, a MAWG as the first contestant! I guess all the whining here on
> ATGS reached their ears. But then again, he isnt a computer guy,
> lawyer, or trivia bowl participant, so he doesnt really count as a
> MAWG.
>
> Vic Romany
Uhh, Vic, the first contestant seemed to me to be in his late twenties
/ early thirties in age. When do you consider middle age to begin?
Numbers vary, but the sources I've found on the web generally indicate
somewhere between 35 and 40 as the starting point for middle age, e.g.
http://www.demarcation.org.za/Munic_Profiles/metros/definitions.htm
(sez 35)
http://209.163.42.1/development/housing%20study/Morristown.htm (sez
40)
If you're going to keep stats on contestant demographics, you're going
to have to be more careful than that in assigning contestants to the
right group. Being a WG isn't sufficient to make him a MAWG.
Curt Alliaume
>/ early thirties in age. When do you consider middle age to begin?
>Numbers vary, but the sources I've found on the web generally indicate
Actually, it's later than that. *Much* later.
I have no sources, it's just me insisting.
-- Curt Alliaume
----------------------
Game Shows '75
http://www.curtalliaume.com/gameshow.html
Victor L. Romany
importance than for us keyboard and mouse wielders; I guessed his age
to be late thirties, possibly early 40s. We would have to cut off one
of his limbs to count the age rings to be certain.
I dont know when MA starts, but as far as gameshow contestant
demographics are concerned, I escalate to MA any G who appears
non-trendy, has a normal haircut (or preferably down the road of hair
loss ), unlikely to have body piercings, and able to speak
grammatically correct sentences amongst other qualities. In other
words, someone unlikely to be chosen for Fear Factor or Dog Eat Dog.
My personal definition of MA for a Guy is when the ladies he can
legally tumble were concieved after the year the Guy started college.
In other words, young enough to be his roommate's daughter. Purely a
subjective definition, but my friends and I find that it seems to
work.
Not to be disrespectful Leszek, but being able to cite references to
age definitions is the kind of thing that gameshows are trying to
avoid in their contestants <GRIN, really obvious sarcasm AND cheap
shot >
Leszek Pawlowicz
> As a fireman, his exercise regimen and health status is of greater
> importance than for us keyboard and mouse wielders; I guessed his age
> to be late thirties, possibly early 40s. We would have to cut off one
> of his limbs to count the age rings to be certain.
Granted - actual age is tough to judge.
>
> I dont know when MA starts, but as far as gameshow contestant
> demographics are concerned, I escalate to MA any G who appears
> non-trendy, has a normal haircut (or preferably down the road of hair
> loss ), unlikely to have body piercings, and able to speak
> grammatically correct sentences amongst other qualities. In other
> words, someone unlikely to be chosen for Fear Factor or Dog Eat Dog.
Nope, sorry, you can't do this. This description could easily apply to
a 22-year-old, who is clearly not a MAWG, and may well have been
chosen for demographic reasons.
>
> My personal definition of MA for a Guy is when the ladies he can
> legally tumble were concieved after the year the Guy started college.
> In other words, young enough to be his roommate's daughter. Purely a
> subjective definition, but my friends and I find that it seems to
> work.
Or roughly 34-35; sounds reasonable to me.
>
> Not to be disrespectful Leszek, but being able to cite references to
> age definitions is the kind of thing that gameshows are trying to
> avoid in their contestants <GRIN, really obvious sarcasm AND cheap
> shot >
I.e. people who might actually do well. God forbid that other
competitive endeavors (e.g. sports) or "demonstrative" endeavors (e.g.
the arts) use that approach; people might stop watching <even more
obvious sarcasm>.
Brett A. Pasternack
>
> Victor L. Romany <vic...@westmik.net> wrote in message news:<ao2gou4hum1abjrsu...@4ax.com>...
> > My personal definition of MA for a Guy is when the ladies he can
> > legally tumble were concieved after the year the Guy started college.
> > In other words, young enough to be his roommate's daughter. Purely a
> > subjective definition, but my friends and I find that it seems to
> > work.
>
> Or roughly 34-35; sounds reasonable to me.
Uh-uh. No way is it reasonable to create any definition of "middle age"
that includes *ME*!