Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? |
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a television
game show which offers very large cash prizes for correctly answering successive
multiple-choice questions. The maximum cash prize (in the original UK version) is one million pounds.
When it first aired in the UK in September 1998, it was a surprising twist on the genre. Only one contestant
plays at a time (similar to some radio quizzes); and the emphasis is on suspense rather than speed. There is no time limit to
answer questions, and contestants are given the question before they must decide whether to attempt an answer.
Ironically, given the large prizes that it offers, the show is named after a 1956 Cole Porter song which emphasized the desirability of love over material possessions: Who wants to be a
millionaire? I don't. (...) And I don't 'cause all I want is you.
The programme originated in the United Kingdom, where it is hosted
by Chris Tarrant and was based on a format devised by David Briggs, who
along with Steve Knight and Mike Whitehill devised a number of the promotional games for Chris Tarrant's breakfast show on
Capital FM radio. The following description is of the British version of the
show. For differences in other countries, see the end of the article.
Original British format
At the beginning of each show, the host introduces a set of ten potential contestants, giving their names and where they are
from. The potential contestants have to undergo a preliminary round, called "Fastest Finger First", where they are all asked to
put four answers in a particular order. The contestant who does this correctly and in the fastest time goes on to sit in the
chair and play for a possible £1,000,000.
The contestant is asked increasingly difficult general knowledge questions by the host. To each question, they can choose from
four multiple choice answers. Answering the first question correctly wins the contestant a small monetary prize, and the
subsequent questions are played for increasingly large sums. If the contestant answers incorrectly they lose all the money they
have won. However, the £1,000 and £32,000 prizes are guaranteed: if a player gets a question wrong above these levels then they
drop down only to the previous guaranteed prize.
The sequence of prizes is as follows: £100, £200, £300, £500, £1,000, £2,000, £4,000, £8,000, £16,000,
£32,000, £64,000, £125,000, £250,000, £500,000, £1,000,000.
The game ends after the contestant answers a question incorrectly or decides not to answer the question, or when they have
answered all fifteen questions correctly, at which point they win the top prize of £1,000,000.
If at any point the contestant is unsure of the answer to a question, they can use one of their three "lifelines": they can
"phone a friend" (being given 30 seconds to talk to their chosen friend, who must be taken from a list nominated by the
contestant beforehand), "ask the audience" (getting a bar chart of the audience's answers), or go for a "50:50" (when the
computer will remove two incorrect answers and leave the right answer and one wrong answer). Each of these lifelines can be used
only once.
Variants on the format have been tried, such as celebrities playing for
charity and couples games (where both partners must agree on the answer). Tarrant's catchphrases on the show include "Is that
your final answer?" and "but we don't want to give you that".
The Major Charles Ingram affair
In an episode of the British show recorded on September 10, 2001, Major Charles Ingram won the
£1,000,000 prize. During the recording it was noticed that a suspicious pattern of coughing could be heard. The Major's unusual
behaviour in the "hot seat" also drew attention. When subsequently analysed it became apparent that another contestant, Tecwen
Whittock, seated in "contestant row" was offering Major Ingram prompts in the form of coughs, indicating the correct answers. On
many of the questions Major Ingram read aloud all of the four answers, until a cough was heard, before choosing his answer. In
some cases he even dismissed an answer, read aloud the answers again, and picked an answer he had earlier dismissed.
Further investigation revealed that the Major's wife Diana (who had won £32,000 on a previous show, as had his brother-in-law)
had organised the scam. A number of pagers had been purchased and telephone records revealed what appeared to be a practice
session for another plan to cheat the system that was not subsequently carried out. The plan was for the Major to hide four
pagers on his body that would vibrate when an accomplice called the pager indicating the correct answer. Following a trial at
Southwark Crown Court lasting a month, Major Ingram, his wife Diana and Tecwen Whittock were convicted of "procuring the
execution of a valuable security by deception" on 7 April 2003. Ingram and his wife were each given suspended 18-month prison sentences and fined £15,000, while Whittock
received a 12-month suspended sentence and was fined £10,000.
Together with legal costs, it is estimated that the Ingrams will have to pay £50,000 in total.
Despite the conviction, the Ingrams and Tecwen Whittock continue to deny that they colluded or acted dishonestly. They plan to
appeal the court ruling. In an ITV1 documentary entitled "Millionaire: a Major Fraud" and
presented by Martin Bashir, broadcast in Britain on 21 April 2003 excerpts from the recording were
broadcast with enhanced audio highlighting the coughs emanating from Tecwen Whittock. Immediately afterwards the full programme
in its original format was broadcast on ITV2. The documentary included additional video
recorded during the programme of Mrs Ingram sitting in the audience and apparently prompting the Major with her own coughing and
making glances in the direction of Mr Whittock. The documentary also contained interviews with production staff and other
contestants present at the recording of the original programme describing how they felt that something unusual had been
happening. Major Ingram described the documentary as "one of the greatest TV editing con tricks in history". Celador Films, the
sister company of the quiz show's producers Celador Productions, are currently planning to turn the affair into a film, and have
commissioned a screenplay from award-winning television dramatist Russell T. Davies.
On 24 July 2003 the British Army ordered Charles Ingram to resign his commission
as a Major.
For another take on the case, see the article by James Plaskett at http://www.portia.org/latest/major.html
Foreign variants
Although it originated in the United Kingdom, the format of show has
subsequently been exported to many countries around the world. As of early 2003 the producers' website lists the following
territories as having licensed the show: Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria,
Canada, the Caribbean, Chile, China,
Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France,
Georgia, Germany,
Greece, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, the Middle East, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Peru, Poland. Portugal, Romania, Russia, San
Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the Philippines, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay, United States, Vatican City, Venezuela, and
Vietnam.
Here are some details of the differences in some of those countries:-
- Australia: The local version is hosted by Eddie McGuire. It is virtually identical in format to the British original.
Several big wins (though not the actual million dollars) to "professional" game show contestants who spent thousands of dollars
ringing the competition line to get on the show has led to a changing of the rules regarding appearances - only one phone call
per person per week is now permitted.
- Austria: In Austria the show is called Die
Millionenshow. The Austrian state TV (ORF) uses the same Cologne studio as the Germans, which may cause problems for contestants who would like to "ask the audience" if the
question happens to be about Austrian trivia. The current host, Armin Assinger, used to be a skier with the Austrian national team. Assinger has been
criticized by some for his broad Carinthian accent.
- Bulgaria: In Bulgaria, the show is called Koi iska da
stane bogat (Who wants to be rich), also known as Stani bogat (Become rich). Niki Kanchev is the host of the show, and
it is aired by the commercial TV station Nova
TV. The prizes are in levs (BGL): 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000, 1500,
2000, 2500, 3000, 5000, 10 000, 25 000, 50 000, 100 000.
- Brazil: In Brazil the show is called ``Show do Milhão´´ (Million
Show), and went on the air in 1999. The host is Silvio Santos, the owner of the channel,
and the most important host on Brazilian TV, and the show is aired by the second private channel in Brazil SBT. There's no "fastest finger" option on the Brazilian version. Contestants (who win by sending in coupons or
Nestle bar codes) are chosen to sit in the "hot seat" by ways of a raffle.
- Canada: Canada's CTV network
rebroadcasted the United States version for most of its run, but in 2000 it aired two
specials entitled Who Wants to Be A Millionaire: Canadian Edition. Hosted by Pamela Wallin, the show was taped on
the ABC set in New York. A Canadian audience was flown to the city for help when a contestant needed to ask the audience on
a Canadian-themed question.
- Croatia: Here the show is called Tko želi biti
milijunaš? (Who wants to be a millionaire?). It is hosted by Tarik Filipović and aired by the State TV
station HRT 1. Here, the prizes are in Croatian kunas, in the usual denominations.
- Czech Republic: Here the show is called Chcete
být milionářem? (Do you want to be a millionaire?). Prizes are in Czech
korunas (CZK): 1,000 Kč., 2,000 Kč., 3,000 Kč., 5,000 Kč., 10,000 Kč., 20,000
Kč., 40,000 Kč., 80,000 Kč., 160,000 Kč., 320,000 Kč., 640,000 Kč., 1,250,000
Kč., 2,500,000 Kč., 5,000,000 Kč., 10,000,000 Kč.. Aired on the Czech Statal
Television.
- Finland: The show is called "Haluatko miljonääriksi?" (in
English "Do you want to become a millionaire?"). The name of the
host is Lasse Lehtinen. The program was started when Finland was still using mark as currency, and then the highest prize was
1.000.000 marks. Today it is 200.000 euro which is about 1.200.000 marks.
- France: Here the show is called Qui veut gagner des
millions? (Who wants to win millions?). It is hosted by Jean-Pierre Foucault and aired by the commercial TV station TF1.
- Germany: The show, called Wer wird Millionär? (Who
becomes a millionaire?), is aired by the commercial TV station RTL
and presented by Günther Jauch. It is produced in Cologne. After introduction of the euro, the prize
sequence was changed to start at €50 while the 250,000 step was dropped, thus there is a quadrupling from the 13th
(€125,000) to 14th, second-last step (€500,000). See also: Claudia Drexelius. There were only 5 millionaires in the German version: Eckard Freise, Marlene Grabherr,
and other three. Link to the German version: here
- Hong Kong: A version was shown on April 29, 2001, and was
popular enough to be shown again on July 22, 2001. The highest prize is a million HK dollars.
- Italy: The show originally started as "Chi vuol essere miliardario"
(Who wants to be a billionaire), due to the high pound-lira conversion rate (about 1:3000). With the Euro taking over, the show has been renamed "Chi vuol essere milionario" (an exact translation of
the English one). Rules are virtually identical to the original format. The show is aired on Canale 5, a commercial TV station, and soon after
a very similar show, with slightly changed rules, started on the state-run Rai 1 TV station.
- India: In India, the show is called Kaun Banega Crorepati,
which literally means "Who will become a multi-millionaire?" (1 Crore = 10
million in Indian numerals). It is produced by Star TV and is hosted
by Indian movie superstar Amitabh Bachchan. It is considered to be
one of the most successful shows on Indian TV and is watched around the world by Indian diaspora as well as by people from Nepal,
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Mauritius, Fiji, East Africa, etc. After the first episode had been broadcast,
Star TV received 20 million phone calls from fans across the world.
- Kerala: In Kerala, the show is called Koteeswaran or
Kodeeswaran which in Malayalam means multi-millionaire. It is produced
by Surya TV and hosted by Malayalam film actor Mukesh.
- Indonesia: The name of the show is not changed, and aired
once a week by RCTI. The show is hosted by Tantowi Yahya. The maximum prize is one billion IDR.
- Ireland, Republic of: Originally, the
top prize was one million Irish Pounds (1.27 million euro). However, with the change of currency at the start of 2002, it was
reduced to 1 million euro.
- Israel: In Israel, the show is called Mi rotseh lehyot
mylyoner, but it's often referred to as "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" or just "Millionaire". It is aired on Channel 2
Israel. The prizes are in New Shekhels, in the usual denominations.
- Japan: Produced by Fuji TV, this version of the show is commonly
known simply as Millionaire, not overly distorted by Japanese phonetics, although it's real, Japanese title is Kuizu
$ Mirionea. The rules are the same as the original. Prize levels are denominated in Yen
as follows: ¥10,000, ¥20,000, ¥30,000, ¥50,000, ¥100,000, ¥150,000, ¥250,000, ¥500,000, ¥750,000,
¥1,000,000, ¥1,500,000, ¥2,500,000, ¥5,000,000, ¥10,000,000.
- Latvia: show is filmed in the same studio as the Lithuanian one
(in Lithuania), and winnings in it, as in Latvian lotteries in general, are very low. The largest prize is only 10,000 Latvian
Latas (one Latas is worth about the same as a British pound is). It is still called "Who will win the million" because 10,000
Latas is million of Santimas, a Latvian equivalent of cent. The show is hosted by Martins Kibilds, a Latvian journalist.
- Lithuania: the show is called "Kas laimės
milijoną?" ("Who will win the million?"), hosted by Vytautas Kernagis, formerly hosted by Henrikas Vaitiekūnas.
Winnings are the same as in original game, however, Litas is worth 0.29 Euros, 0.2 British Pounds and 0.36 $ thus the actual
winnings are lower. Show is filmed in Lithuania.
- The Middle East: The show is called Man sa yarbah
al-malyoon or Who will win the million, though it is frequently referred to in English by its more traditional
name, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?. The show is hosted by George Kurdahi. It is filmed and produced in London. The prizes are in Saudi Arabian riyals, in the
usual denominations.
- The Netherlands: Here the game is called Weekend
Millionairs, and is hosted by Robert ten Brink.
- New Zealand: the show is the same as that broadcast in
Australia, but New Zealand residents are allowed to enter, as Prime TV is owned by Australia's Nine Network.
- Poland: here the show is called Milionerzy
(Millionaires) and is aired on the TVN TV station. The host of the show is Hubert Urbański.
- Portugal: the show is called Quem quer ser milionário
and is aired in RTP1 network. It is currently presented by Jorge Gabriel.
- Romania: the show is called Vrei să fii miliardar?
(Do you want to be a billionaire?), produced by Prima TV and hosted by Virgil Ianţu.
- Russia: In Russia, the show is called Kto hochet stat'
millionerom? (Who wants to be a Millionaire?). Here, the 'Ask the Audience' lifeline isn't one that the contestant
would often use because the audience often gives wrong answers intentionally to trick the contestants. The biggest prize here is
1,000,000 Russian Rubles.
- Serbia and Montenegro: Here the show
is called Želite li da postanete milioner? (Do you want to become a millionaire?). It's aired by a private
satellite TV station BKTV SAT. The highest prize here is 3.000.000 din.
- Singapore: Two different versions are produced in Singapore,
an English language version and a Chinese language version. The Chinese version is called 百万大赢家
(Million-dollar winner). Both are produced by local media network Mediacorp.
- Slovakia: Here the show is called Milionár
(Millionaire). Prizes are in Slovak korunas (SKK): 1,000 Ks., 2,000 Ks., 3,000
Ks., 5,000 Ks., 10,000 Ks., 20,000 Ks., 40,000 Ks., 80,000 Ks., 160,000 Ks., 320,000 Ks.,
640,000 Ks., 1,250,000 Ks., 2,500,000 Ks., 5,000,000 Ks., 10,000,000 Ks.. Aired on a private TV station, TV
Markiza.
- Slovenia: Here the show is called Lepo je biti
milijonar (It is good to be a Millionaire). Now the highest prize has changed from the old 10,000,000 SIT to the
new 15,000,000 SIT (as have all the prizes after the 1,000,000 SIT). It is broadcasted by the commercial TV station POP TV and
hosted by Boštjan Romih. Prizes are in tolars (SIT): 10,000 SIT, 20,000 SIT, 30,000
SIT, 40,000 SIT, 50,000 SIT, 100,000 SIT, 175,000 SIT, 250,000 SIT, 500,000 SIT, 1,000,000 SIT,
1,500,000 SIT, 2,500,000 SIT, 5,000,000 SIT, 7,500,000 SIT, 15,000,000 SIT.
- Spain: Here the show is called ¿Quién quiere ser
millonario? (Who wants to be a millionaire?) and also 50*15 (pronounced Cincuenta por quince)
because you could win 50 million pesetas (about £200,000) if you got
15 questions right. It was hosted by Carlos Sobera and broadcasted by Telecinco. These were the prizes in
pesetas (ESP): 25,000 ESP, 50,000 ESP, 75,000 ESP, 150,000 ESP, 300,000 ESP, 350,000 ESP, 450,000 ESP, 600,000
ESP, 750,000 ESP, 1,500,000 ESP, 3,000,000 ESP, 6,000,000 ESP, 12,000,000 ESP, 24,000,000 ESP,
50,000,000 ESP. Here, the Quiz is not aired anymore.
- Sweden: Here the show is called Vem vill bli miljonär?
(Who wants to be a millionaire?) It was hosted by Bengt Magnusson and broadcasted by TV4. The highest prize was 10 000
000 SEK. TV4 stopped broadcasting the show because they couldn't afford the prizes.
- Taiwan: Here the show is called Wai Beng Fu Yung?, and
it's aired and watched in both Taiwan and China.
- Turkey: Here the show is called Kim 500 (besyuz) milyar
ister? (Who wants 500 billions?). It was first broadcasted by the commercial TV station Show TV, but later
switched to Kanal D. The show is hosted by Kenan Işık. The prizes in Turkish Liras are: 50,000,000
TL, 100,000,000 TL, 250,000,000 TL, 500,000,000 TL, 1,000,000,000 TL, 2,000,000,000 TL, 4,000,000,000 TL,
8,000,000,000 TL, 16,000,000,000 TL, 32,000,000,000 TL, 64,000,000,000 TL, 125,000,000,000 TL,
250,000,000,000 TL, 500,000,000,000 TL. Prizes will be adjusted after the introduction of the New Turkish Lira
(YTL) on 1 January 2005 (1,000,000 TL = 1
YTL).
- Ukraine: In Ukraine, the show is called Kto hoche stat'
mil'onerom? - Pershyj mil'on (Who wants to be a Millionaire? - The first million). Here, as in Russia, the 'Ask the
Audience' lifeline isn't one that the contestant would often use because the audience often gives wrong answers intentionally to
trick the contestants. The biggest prize here is 1,000,000 Ukrainian Gri
- United States of America: Here the syndicated show is hosted by Meredith Vieira. Previously, the network version of the show was hosted by Regis Philbin. That version became explosively popular in 1999, and at its peak was airing in prime
time four nights a week on ABC. The show
was popular enough to find rival networks creating or reincarnating game shows of their own, and created a brief renaissance of
sorts for United States based game shows. ABC's using Who Wants to be a Millionaire? in so many prime time slots left it
with a deficit of unique programming when the show's popularity faded. ABC's overall Nielsen ratings suffered as a result of the show's decline in popularity. In February 2004, Regis Philbin returned for five episodes of
Super Millionaire, which offered a $10,000,000 top
prize; the series returned for eight additional episodes in May.
The $10,000,000 prize offered by Super Millionaire is the largest prize on offer around the world, although unlike in
the original programme the top prize is not paid in one lump sum but paid over 20 years. Because of the relative value of the
British pound compared to other currencies, the British show
offers the second largest prize money. In Germany there's a version where contestants can win 10 million Deutschmarks. After the
introduction of the Euro RTL made 5 million of the price money.
A version of this game named "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!" is an attraction at the Disney-MGM Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.
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