Garland resident takes the “Hot Seat”
Kristin Patton makes cut for chance to become winner on ‘Millionaire’
Garland resident Kristin Patton, who’s “Millionaire” debut is set to air on Monday, swears by the phrase “everything happens for the best.”
Patton, 36, mother of four and real estate appraiser, had been out of work for almost two years with a neck injury from past athletic activities and had to have two disks replaced in her neck.
“I needed surgery that was not available in the United States and hadn’t yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” Patton said. “The level one part [of the surgery] was allowed, but not the rest. And I had to go to France to complete the operation.”
“We found a good doctor in France and took out personal loans to pay for the operation,” Patton said. “We stayed there for three weeks.”
When she returned to the U.S., Patton spent some of her recovery time watching the game show, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” “I just started to watch it regularly and I got into the show,” she said. “And I went online to see if there were going to be auditions.”
Patton flew to New York City for a series of tests, auditions and interviews and stayed in the city for three days. She flew back to Dallas and three weeks later she received a letter congratulating her for making the contestant pool.
“A lot of people get in the pool and don’t make an appearance,” Patton said. There wasn’t a guarantee that she would make the show. But she did, and her appearance will air nationally Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 19th and 20th.
Patton can’t tell us how she performed, but did reveal that there are some new changes to the show.
The first five questions are clocked at 15 seconds. The next five are clocked at 30 seconds. Forty five seconds are clocked for the next four questions and another 45 plus banked time are allowed for the final question.
The studio has a new look this season, and a new lifeline called “Ask the Expert” has been incorporated.
Two of Kristin Patton’s lifelines were Garland residents and she had to call one of them for help.
“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” will air on our local ABC affiliate, WFAA channel 8, with host Meredith Vieira on Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 19 and 20. Due to Tuesday’s Inaugural coverage, “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” might air at a different time − check your local listing.
