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TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? |
Premiered August 16, 1999
ABC Primetime Game Show
Host:
Regis Philbin
Early in 1999, ABC acquired the rights to "Who
Wants to Be a Millionaire," the mega-hit British
quiz show that has had the country glued to
their sets. This special event series allows
ten contestants each night to compete for
escalating prizes that could ultimately total
one million dollars. And who better to oversee
the dramatic and compelling events than
gregarious talk show host Regis Philbin.
Mr. Philbin will preside over a live studio
audience in New York City for the tapings,
which will then air the following day.
"It's a general knowledge show in the truest
sense. We're not looking for rocket scientists
or Ph.D.s. We want real people with a broad
range of knowledge and the guts to take risks
on what they know and don't know," explains
Michael Davies, executive producer.
The program is a unique game of skill, and the
qualification process is just as groundbreaking.
Most quiz shows require potential contestants to
pay their own way and travel to the city where
the show is taped before they can even try to
qualify. But all you need to begin the
qualification process for "Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire" is the know-how and access
to a touch-tone phone.
"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" is a program in
the tradition of the big money, primetime quiz
shows of the past with all the attendant drama
and excitement. People from across America will
be invited to qualify for the chance to win the
top prize of $1 million. Ten winners will be
flown to New York City per episode and will
compete against each other in a playoff question.
The playoff winner then gets the chance to
navigate 15 multiple choice questions on a broad
range of topics. Starting at the $100 level, the
contestant usually doubles his or her winnings
with each correct answer, but in a unique twist,
he or she gets to see each question before
deciding whether or not to advance. Contestants
can choose to walk away at any time with what
they've won so far. But, if they have the courage to
go for it, they could become an instant millionaire.
In another novel format twist, "Who Wants to Be a
Millionaire" allows players three "Lifelines" --
assistance in determining the correct answer. The
first is dubbed "50/50" because two of the four
possible answers are eliminated, leaving the
contestant to choose between one correct and one
incorrect answer. The second is "Ask the Audience,"
where the contestant gets to see how the members
of the studio audience vote on what they think is
the correct answer. But, it's the third lifeline,
"Phone a Friend," that creates the most compelling
and heart-pounding television experience. Under
acute pressure, the contestant gets to make one
phone call live from the studio to a friend or
family member, who has 30 seconds to process the
multiple choice question and come up with the
right answer. Who would you choose?
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  Look for Who Wants to be a Millionaire on ABC. Episode Guide From EpGuides.com Who Wants To Be A Millionaire hosted by Meredith Vieira Official Website Other Sites From SirLinksAlot These links were last tested July 2004. |
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