US Millionaire 10th Anniversary Shows *SPOILER*

[Jason Larsen]

It's hard to believe that Millionaire has been on for 10 years here in the US. To celebrate the occasion, ABC, the network that originally aired Millionaire in the US decided to bring the show back in primetime as a series of 10th anniversary specials. For those of you who don't know, Millionaire is still going strong in daytime here in America, but has not regularly aired in primetime in 9 years.

Ladies and gentlemen, a moment occurred that has never occurred before in the history of US Millionaire.

The last contestant on the last special, an entertainment lawyer, won $500,000 and had one lifeline remaining (the audience.)

His million-dollar question was as follows:

"For ordering his favorite beverages on demand, Lyndon Johnson had four buttons installed in the Oval Office labeled 'coffee,' 'tea,' 'Coke' and what? A. Fresca B. V8 C. Yoo-hoo D. A&W"

He decided to ask the audience and 40% said Yoo-Hoo.

He agreed with the audience and...


















They were wrong. The correct answer was Fresca. He became the first person in the history of US Millionaire to miss the million-dollar question.

As many of you know, Fresca is off the market now. For the record, Yoo-Hoo is chocolate soda pop.

Well, history was made, as a contestant did miss the million-dollar question on US Millionaire. Here's hoping that other US Millionaire contestants have better luck.

[Derek Hazell]

That's interesting. So everyone who gets as far as $500,000 always wins the million as well?

Also, a million dollars is a lot to be paying out on a daytime show. When Millionaire first started, a million was a lot to be paying out on ANY show. Wherever will gameshow prizes end, eh Jason?


Edit: Here's the link, if anyone wants to watch that scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UX7orHxy0Qg

[Jeffrey Burgin]

Also, a million dollars is a lot to be paying out a daytime show.

Unless you live in Zimbabwe, in which case they might as well give you a loaf of bread.

[Phil Reynolds]

That's interesting. So everyone who gets as far as $500,000 always wins the million as well?

Not necessarily - a contestant could decide to walk away with $500,000 and not answer the million-dollar question.

Also, a million dollars is a lot to be paying out a daytime show.

According to Wikipedia, the top prize in the US daytime version is "an annuity" rather than one million dollars cash.

It's hard to feel sympathy for someone who is (a) a lawyer and (b) foolish enough to keep the Ask the Audience lifeline until last.

[Jason Larsen]

Derek, there was going to be a new daytime version of The Pyramid Game here in America this coming year with a $1,000,000 top prize, but it was scrapped.

Phil, there has been speculation that the top prize in US game shows will be $1,000,000,000 in a few years, but I'm not sure about that.