Some thoughts on new changes from M.D.

[silverscreenselect]

The menu idea would be helpful for someone wondering whether to gamble on a 125K or higher question who had burned all his lifelines. If I felt I had a 50/50 chance on a 125K question and the 250K category was Movies, I might go for it because there's a decent chance I'd know the answer to a 250K movie question. On the other hand, if the next category was Rap Music, I'd be more likely to bail because there is very little chance I'd know the answer to a 250K rap music question.

I hope that these Categories are serious and not silly puns (like Civil War for a celebrity divorce question), which would really defeat the purpose of the categories to begin with.

[Here's Fanny!]

The "Menu" is the following: as soon as a contestant gets in the hot seat, they see the category for every question in their stack. Personally, I think this is a very smart enhancement, one that really builds on the fundamental strengths of the Millionaire format.

For example, you can immediate see that the $25,000 question is "Civil War History" and the million dollar question is "Nuclear Physics". This is cool because it allows for greater strategizing with your lifelines (e.g., if a math question is coming up, you don't know math, your PAF is a math geek). It also gives the audience a "peek" at the million dollar question each time.

(Though Davies did worry that future contestants might be able to start figuring out patterns of questions!!)

But the menu part sounds like a terrific addition! The strategizers have a better chance with that added to the scenario. Maybe hthat helps me overcome the clock thing.

Thanks again Ogi.

One thing I really like about Don't Forget the Lyrics is the category board. It would be extra fun if they did it like that, where you could pick your category for that level question. Do you keep your best category for the big question, knowing that you might not make it that far, or use it on one of the 'safe' levels to make sure that you have a chance of going on?

[silverscreenselect]

It also gives the audience a "peek" at the million dollar question each time.

I don't see how "knowing" that there's "going" to be a $1 million history question is going to excite the audience considering that on average they only get to see one or two million dollar questions per season.

Unless I misread you and they actually show the audience the million dollar question each time, in which case the show is a lot more entertaining for trivia buffs.

[LastMinuteRequest]

I hope that these Categories are serious and not silly puns (like Civil War for a celebrity divorce question), which would really defeat the purpose of the categories to begin with.

No, Davies made it pretty clear that they're not going to be puns or deceptive. In fact, he said that over the August break he's going to try to make them as clear and specific as possible (like "Modern Female American Authors" rather than "Authors")

But they're fixed; you won't get to change or choose any of your questions.

I don't see how "knowing" that there's "going" to be a $1 million history question is going to excite the audience considering that on average they only get to see one or two million dollar questions per season.

Admittedly, knowing the category for the million dollar question isn't going to be a major source of new excitement, but I suspect for many home players (or Bored members), watching a contestant walk away with $250,000 but knowing that *you* would still have 2 lifelines left, you can guess how *you* would have done (I'm an expert on marine biology, I would've won the million! I should have been on instead of that putz!)

Also, since historically most of the million dollar questions were about american history, I myself am curious to see what the true spread of million dollar question categories turns out to be.

[MarleysGh0st]

Also, since historically most of the million dollar questions were about american history, I myself am curious to see what the true spread of million dollar question categories turns out to be.

Have they really been writing a complete new set of questions instead of recycling unused ones? Think of the poor question writers seeing their best work--thousands of unused million dollar questions--tossed into the trash!

[LastMinuteRequest]

Have they really been writing a complete new set of questions instead of recycling unused ones? Think of the poor question writers seeing their best work--thousands of unused million dollar questions--tossed into the trash!

Yeah... I kind of figured that they just kept saving the same million dollar questions until someone finally got them. But if they're going to reveal categories... boy, like you said, that means those poor writers are coming up with a truckload of big dollar questions that never see the light of day!

Unless the top category is "United Nations" week after week!

[peacock2121]

I spoke with Michael Davies at some length this morning about the new changes to the show, and he told me that I could share some of his thoughts (as long as they weren't reported too publicly, like to a newspaper or major game show website or blog).

!

Every single one of these changes excites me. I do not doubt that anyone from here will do better under these rules than any previous rules.

Hey! I sound like sss!

[Bob Juch]

Also, since historically most of the million dollar questions were about american history, I myself am curious to see what the true spread of million dollar question categories turns out to be.

Have they really been writing a complete new set of questions instead of recycling unused ones? Think of the poor question writers seeing their best work--thousands of unused million dollar questions--tossed into the trash!

Yes, they throw out the whole leftover stack each time.

[peacock2121]

I know on a recent taping, the contestant was considered by TPTB to not be "energetic" enough (I myself would have described the contestant as grumpy and constipated), and this contestant was the first of the show, so after this contestant finished and got out of the chair they started the show over again with the next contestant. So I think priority is still placed upon finding contestants who are fun to watch.

HOLY CRAP!

Does anyone know if this ever happened before?

[TheConfessor]

The "Menu" is the following: as soon as a contestant gets in the hot seat, they see the category for every question in their stack. Personally, I think this is a very smart enhancement, one that really builds on the fundamental strengths of the Millionaire format.

For example, you can immediate see that the $25,000 question is "Civil War History" and the million dollar question is "Nuclear Physics". This is cool because it allows for greater strategizing with your lifelines (e.g., if a math question is coming up, you don't know math, your PAF is a math geek). It also gives the audience a "peek" at the million dollar question each time.

(Though Davies did worry that future contestants might be able to start figuring out patterns of questions!!)

This is definitely my favorite change.

(...well, except for the Experts )

The irony here is that providing a "menu" of upcoming subjects places a premium on strategic thinking and careful planning to optimize lifeline use, but the ticking clock takes away much of the time that contestants will need to take advantage of such strategic game play.

To me, one of the most riveting game shows ever is (was?) Grand Slam, which is all about answering trivia questions under the pressure of a ticking clock. To the extent that a clock on WWTBAM will help generate even a small portion of that Grand Slam excitement, I think it might actually improve the show.

Ogi, thanks for your insider perspective on the show and into the mind and motivation of Michael Davies. Your timing is fortuitous, since Steve Beverly announced that he is discontinuing tvgameshows.net at the end of this month. Steve would often talk with Michael Davies and report the highlights on his web site. So now it appears that our best conduit for that kind of information may be through Ogi.

If Michael or any of the other producers and staff of WWTBAM are reading this, good luck with the new season. I know that any changes you're making are intended to keep the show as successful as possible, and I hope it will continue to thrive for many years to come.

Ed Toutant (third most recent contestant to reach the top)

[peacock2121]

The "Menu" is the following: as soon as a contestant gets in the hot seat, they see the category for every question in their stack. Personally, I think this is a very smart enhancement, one that really builds on the fundamental strengths of the Millionaire format.

For example, you can immediate see that the $25,000 question is "Civil War History" and the million dollar question is "Nuclear Physics". This is cool because it allows for greater strategizing with your lifelines (e.g., if a math question is coming up, you don't know math, your PAF is a math geek). It also gives the audience a "peek" at the million dollar question each time.

(Though Davies did worry that future contestants might be able to start figuring out patterns of questions!!)

This is definitely my favorite change.

(...well, except for the Experts )

At first brush, it is my favorite change as well.

Wonder if it will affect people's use of the ATA.

[peacock2121]

Ed Toutant (third most recent contestant to reach the top)

Ed,

Does this mean you were the last one on Primetime BAM to get to the top?

[ulysses5019]

4. I'm "on the fence" about auditioning in 2 weeks. The show airs at 12:30 in the afternoon around here, when most of the people who would be watching me on it are at work. Not a particularly good time for a viewing party-although if lunch was served along with the TV show, that might work. I've had people ask me "is that show still on?" more than once. I'm definitely a "hard core" fan of the show-I've watched since day 1. I'm also a trivia geek, having tried to get on J! five times.

You really wouldn't try out for the show just because you wouldn't have an 'real time' viewing party? If nobody's home to watch it anyway, what difference does it make if it's showing on the tv or the vcr? With prime time, I could see how it would be a drag to have to wait until after the showing but, with syndication, I don't really count it as "the" showing.

I've already said that I don't watch the show (I'm not even really sure what time it's on) but if you were on it, I'd watch!

I'm not ragging on you either, I really am interested in your answer or way of thinking on this.

(No, I don't expect a response. But wouldn't it be fun if I got one?)

Taping my watch.........

[TheConfessor]

Ed Toutant (third most recent contestant to reach the top)

Ed,

Does this mean you were the last one on Primetime BAM to get to the top?

Yes, so far.

[peacock2121]

Ed Toutant (third most recent contestant to reach the top)

Ed,

Does this mean you were the last one on Primetime BAM to get to the top?

Yes, so far.

TPTB should use that!

Who do we have to call to get you on the list for "Ask The Smart Guys" LL list?

You have been unjustly excluded.

Unless you have been included and declined, then I'll just shut up and go back to my corner.

[TheConfessor]

Ed Toutant (third most recent contestant to reach the top)

Ed,

Does this mean you were the last one on Primetime BAM to get to the top?

Yes, so far.

TPTB should use that!

Who do we have to call to get you on the list for "Ask The Smart Guys" LL list?

You have been unjustly excluded.

Unless you have been included and declined, then I'll just shut up and go back to my corner.

Thanks for the vote of support, but I'm not campaigning for anything. If they think I can help the show in any way, I'd be happy to do so and they know how to find me.

Considering the Big Picture, I would never use the word "unjust" to characterize how the show has treated me. Quite the opposite. My impression is that they would prefer to use "experts" from the syndicated version of the show. For whatever reason, they seem to intentionally distance themselves from the original prime time version of the show.

[peacock2121]

Yes, so far.

TPTB should use that!

Who do we have to call to get you on the list for "Ask The Smart Guys" LL list?

You have been unjustly excluded.

Unless you have been included and declined, then I'll just shut up and go back to my corner.

Thanks for the vote of support, but I'm not campaigning for anything. If they think I can help the show in any way, I'd be happy to do so and they know how to find me.

Considering the Big Picture, I would never use the word "unjust" to characterize how the show has treated me. Quite the opposite. My impression is that they would prefer to use "experts" from the syndicated version of the show. For whatever reason, they seem to intentionally distance themselves from the original prime time version of the show.

Sorry - I didn't mean to be negative about TPTB.

I remember reading that they asked Joe, so I assumed they were asking PT winners.

I am lobbying for you - you don't need to.

[LastMinuteRequest]

Ogi, thanks for your insider perspective on the show and into the mind and motivation of Michael Davies.

I'm certainly no insider; we were just talking in the course of one of the lifelines (guess which one...) and I expressed my doubts about the timer (and excitement about the menu) and he responded immediately and passionately.

So now it appears that our best conduit for that kind of information may be through Ogi.

I suspect other Bored members may also be chatting with Davies soon (or have already chatted with?)

(third most recent contestant to reach the top)

Wow -- you were the last winner on the Regis show? I don't think I ever knew that!

Do you know, have they ever re-aired your unusual appearance?


Incidentally, Davies also mentioned that he's still pushing Grand Slam at GSN, and due to a recent change in management over there, he thought there might be a new chance... but who knows; Grand Slam strangely had poor ratings, though just about everything on GSN has poor ratings...

[gsn309]

Just wanted to comment on the lifeline change with the double-dip.

It could very well be better than the 50-50 --- but the beauty of the double dip on Super Millionaire was that it could be used WITH the 50-50, to guarantee a correct answer!

On the off chance where a contestant coud have eliminated only one wrong distracter, and the 50-50 wiped out the 2 they weren't sure were wrong, the double dip would not be better than the 50-50.

We'll see how it all works out.

[LastMinuteRequest]

Who do we have to call to get you on the list for "Ask The Smart Guys" LL list?

I pushed for the Texas Triviamaster! But they told me they were focusing on SyndieBam people... and non-Bam people...

[TheConfessor]

I'm curious about one more thing. Why did someone (presumably Ogi) change the subject line of this thread from "Michael Davies" to "M.D."?

Let the conspiracy theories commence!

[mikehardware]

I'll add my 2 cents. I strongly like the menu idea, that could influence how someone plays the game. It'll also make categorizing the questions easier for me and my spreadsheets, assuming the awesome transcript team will capture that information.

The Double Dip could be more of a challenge. Some folks will leave it on the table rather than take the risk, while there was no downside to at least trying the 50/50. From an audience perspective, that should be more interesting.

I'm not yet convinced of the value of asking an expert. It might be great, but if the question isn't in their wheelhouse, it's not going to be very helpful, or even interesting to hear them say "I don't know." I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now, and compile some stats on its use.

For now, I really dislike the idea of a time limit. If I wanted fast answers, I'd watch Jeopardy. I don't like seeing folks llama because they answered too quickly, and I think we'll see more of that this year. It takes away the bantering during the question and getting into a contestant's thought process. We'll probably see more prearranged bantering instead, which is not that interesting to me. I doubt it'll speed up the game and get more contestants into the hot seat.

Ditching the 50/50 at least removes the stale questions about its randomness. I liked the STQ, but agree it wasn't terribly exciting for the average viewer. The writers probably don't have to come up with as many questions that way.

Now if only there was someone in the contestant pool who was intelligent, has a great personality, and really knew strategy and how to use their lifelines...

[Melora]

I read it again, thinking it was an entirely new topic with thoughts from some unknown doctor. Does that mean I'm not smart enough to be the once-every-four-weeks contestant?

[clem21]

Look, every show needs changing once in a while. My thoughts are
As a potential contestant:If I get the call this season I'll gladly take the time limit in exchange fot the Ask the expert, double dip and menu.
As a watcher, I'm not sure I like the menu idea but the rest is definitely exciting so I'm happy with the changes.

[MarleysGh0st]

To me, one of the most riveting game shows ever is (was?) Grand Slam, which is all about answering trivia questions under the pressure of a ticking clock. To the extent that a clock on WWTBAM will help generate even a small portion of that Grand Slam excitement, I think it might actually improve the show.

Yes, Grand Slam had a very intense, exciting format. But with respect, Ed, you're comparing glowing potatoes and glowing tomatoes.

In Grand Slam, it really didn't matter how many questions you got wrong or right; you were competing against another contestant and all that mattered was not letting your clock run out first. On WWTBAM, each and every question is essential; one wrong and your hopes are dashed. It's a format that calls for more reflection, particularly given how much concern Meredith always shows contestants when she's assuring them that "$16,000 is a lot of money," just before they walk away.

Then we have shows like 5th Grader, where Jeff Foxworthy throws a fit whenever a contestant dares to answer "too quickly" and will react with even more dragged out, gratuitous tension.