Transcript 11/11/2009 - Sam Murray (ToT #8)

[Jeemie]

I tested with him in October 2008. We both passed the test, but neither of us got a second interview. We were talking with each other after the test and found out we are from the same area. I hope he wins the million.

At first, I thought this was a significant piece of data, because it proved that a person could get on the show without the second interview.

Then I saw the date of the audition, so I'm guessing Sam went back and auditioned sometime this year.

[earendel]

$1,000,000
According to the Population Reference Bureau, what is the approximate number of people who have ever lived on earth?
A: 50 billion B: 100 billion
C: 1 trillion D: 5 trillion

Sam figures the current population is "around 6 billion", smiles, thinks for another minute or so while murmuring about death rates and lifespans, and then says...

"What the hell,

Spoiler

B: 100 billion

, final."

With an especially cruel fakeout, Meredith says, "No it's not

Spoiler

100 billion

, it's actually

Spoiler

106.5 billion

but we rounded it down"

There is much rejoicing, but no confetti. Sam's son Tim is brought down from the audience. (Tim drove in from Wisconsin at the last minute as a surprise for his dad.)

Meredith reminds Sam that he has not really won the million yet, the only thing that stands between Sam and his check is if one of the higher ToT seeds gets their answer correct. Sam is given his promotional $1,000,000 Capital One check.

Given the amount of time available to Sam I think I could have reasoned this one out. I've seen figures that say roughly 6% of all the people who have ever lived are alive now. That gives some data to work with. 50B ends up being too few, and the trillions are too many, leaving only the correct answer. I'd have gone for it on this one.

[MarleysGh0st]

Here's an article about Sam.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/82455012.html

CHAPMANVILLE, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Logan County native Sam Murray made his hometown of Champanville extremely proud when he became just the 13th contestant to win $1 million on the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire."

He scored the big win during the show's tournament of 10 in November. Murray's been living in Philadelphia for years, but Thursday night he was welcomed home by friends and family for a celebration his accomplishment.

Congrats, West Virginia!

Murray says he didn't know the answer to his $1 million question, but was able to make an educated guess. He says his music classes at Chapmanville High were instrumental in developing his critical thinking skills that helped him win the $1 million. Now, he's using part of his winnings to start a scholarship for music students at his old school.

Learning critical thinking in music class?