Questions about lifelines
- Winnamill
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Questions about lifelines
This is still very premature as I have yet to be called, but from other posts the advice appears to be that one should be prepared in case the timing is tight. Therefore, I'm putting these questions out early just in case.
I skimmed the MillionaireTV rules and regs, but did not see the specifics on lifelines. Plus, it was last updated a year ago, and it sounds like new rules will be in effect anyway.
#1 -- When I was in the ROF seven years ago, one of my lifelines was a group where I work. Are groups allowed? Haven't ever seen any rules against them, but I'm not sure. Obviously, one person would be the contact, but any reason others can't be at the location as well?
#2 -- I believe a post mentioned that electronic assistance such as Google is not allowed. Is this correct? What about other sources such as dictionaries, globes, etc.?
Any advice anyone has would be much appreciated! Thanks!
I skimmed the MillionaireTV rules and regs, but did not see the specifics on lifelines. Plus, it was last updated a year ago, and it sounds like new rules will be in effect anyway.
#1 -- When I was in the ROF seven years ago, one of my lifelines was a group where I work. Are groups allowed? Haven't ever seen any rules against them, but I'm not sure. Obviously, one person would be the contact, but any reason others can't be at the location as well?
#2 -- I believe a post mentioned that electronic assistance such as Google is not allowed. Is this correct? What about other sources such as dictionaries, globes, etc.?
Any advice anyone has would be much appreciated! Thanks!
- Bob Juch
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In case you didn't see, you get only three PAFs now.
There's nothing that says you can't have a room-full of people, but you shouldn't have them use a speaker phone and if the person on the phone has to repeat the question and choices, that wastes time and sounds bad.
You can have your PAF use Google or anything else. Just make sure you pick someone who can do it in 30 seconds. Also, it sounds bad if you can hear them typing.
There's nothing that says you can't have a room-full of people, but you shouldn't have them use a speaker phone and if the person on the phone has to repeat the question and choices, that wastes time and sounds bad.
You can have your PAF use Google or anything else. Just make sure you pick someone who can do it in 30 seconds. Also, it sounds bad if you can hear them typing.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- MarleysGh0st
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Yes, the official rules are a year out of date. According to frogman, there's a significant change in the PAF lifeline this year: only 3 PAFs allowed on your list instead of 5, and they want photos and release forms from those PAFs. Read this thread for further discussion of that:
viewtopic.php?t=7316
As for the questions you asked, there's no prohibition against using google or other sources, they just don't want you to be too obvious in your discussion of using them.
There's also nothing to prohibit a group from helping a PAF. However, be careful about that. PAFs are supposed to use a land-line phone but not a speaker phone; they're worried about having good reception on the line. We've seen too many bad results when a PAF tries repeating the Q&A to a room, since there's not enough time for that, particularly if the Q&A are long and wordy.
viewtopic.php?t=7316
As for the questions you asked, there's no prohibition against using google or other sources, they just don't want you to be too obvious in your discussion of using them.
There's also nothing to prohibit a group from helping a PAF. However, be careful about that. PAFs are supposed to use a land-line phone but not a speaker phone; they're worried about having good reception on the line. We've seen too many bad results when a PAF tries repeating the Q&A to a room, since there's not enough time for that, particularly if the Q&A are long and wordy.
- themanintheseersuckersuit
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Stan the intern still hasn't updated the official rules for 2008, but when he does I suggest you read them .
THE RULES
THE RULES
Suitguy is not bitter.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.
- MarleysGh0st
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We've also heard that they may be adding a new lifeline, something like the PAF or Three Wise Men lifelines, involving a webcam connection to past winners of the show (and possibly to other celebrities/experts), but we don't have any official details of how that would work or when it might come into play, so we really can't strategize about that yet.
- peacock2121
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hmmmthemanintheseersuckersuit wrote:Stan the intern still hasn't updated the official rules for 2008, but when he does I suggest you read them .
THE RULES
Did Skippy the intern get fired?
- MarleysGh0st
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tmitsss just can't keep all those interns straight!peacock2121 wrote:hmmmthemanintheseersuckersuit wrote:Stan the intern still hasn't updated the official rules for 2008, but when he does I suggest you read them .
THE RULES
Did Skippy the intern get fired?

- bazodee
- Posts: 944
- Joined: Tue Oct 09, 2007 10:23 am
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Ditto to everyone's comments.
The British version of the show is redrafting its rules to prohibit Phone-A-Friends from employing electronic media searches but as far as we know, TPTB (USA) hasn't changed this.
I couldn't agree more than when and if new rules are published, they should be read thoroughly.
The British version of the show is redrafting its rules to prohibit Phone-A-Friends from employing electronic media searches but as far as we know, TPTB (USA) hasn't changed this.
I couldn't agree more than when and if new rules are published, they should be read thoroughly.
- sunflower
- Bored Hooligan
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If and when you get the call, a set of official rules will be mailed to you. I know you'd like to know now, but at least rest easy knowing you will have some time to review them prior to a taping.
I also agree on nixing the group/speakerphone idea, unless you practice. A lot. And even then I'd caution against it. Because it's harder to hear in the studio and 30 seconds is faster than you think.
I also agree on nixing the group/speakerphone idea, unless you practice. A lot. And even then I'd caution against it. Because it's harder to hear in the studio and 30 seconds is faster than you think.
- TheConfessor
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- sunflower
- Bored Hooligan
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I don't know, I think the webcam might be for a select few (i.e., past champions). If you try to get into webcams for all PAFs now you're talking extra requirements...not only do you have to agree to be near a landline for 57 hours, you also have to have a computer of a certain speed, with a working webcam, etc etc. Very few people would be eligible.TheConfessor wrote:Seriously? How could they possibly enforce it? Hmm, maybe that's where the webcam comes in.bazodee wrote:The British version of the show is redrafting its rules to prohibit Phone-A-Friends from employing electronic media searches but as far as we know, TPTB (USA) hasn't changed this.
- kayrharris
- Miss Congeniality
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Maybe they are thinking about only being able to Phone a Previous Big Winner (PAPBW) on the show....no practicing, and no googling allowed as opposed to having your own Phone a Friend. The 3 Wise People on SuperBam could confer with each other but not use outside sources.
"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. "
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin
- frogman042
- Bored Pun-dit
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8 days to go and I've yet to recieve the new rules in any form - verbal, electronic or hard-copy... When I asked what the changes were, I was told that they couldn't tell me, but it would be in my packet. As of 2 days ago they told me that the haven't mailed it yet. I told them I'm leaving Austin on the 23rd (Wed) so if it is not mailed soon, I may not recieve it before I leave - I've been assured I will get a chance to see them before I leave and before I start toasting my butt in the Hot Seat (does it really have a seat warmer - or is it closer to 'Old Sparky' of Flordia Penal System fame?)sunflower wrote:If and when you get the call, a set of official rules will be mailed to you. I know you'd like to know now, but at least rest easy knowing you will have some time to review them prior to a taping.
I also agree on nixing the group/speakerphone idea, unless you practice. A lot. And even then I'd caution against it. Because it's harder to hear in the studio and 30 seconds is faster than you think.
When I get them (I've been assured I will get them) and if there is a non-disclosure on the rules I wont be able to say anything, but if there is no non-disclosure (and I get permission to disclose as well - not taking any chances here) I will let you know what changes are in store - in the meantime I'm on pins and needles about the changes and wondering why it is taking them so long to publish them - maybe they haven't gotten the kinks out of the changes or they are waiting for the lawyers to sign off on them?
---Jay (Yikes, 1000 days to go, how could this be!!!)
- MarleysGh0st
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- Here's Fanny!
- Peekaboo!
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You know that I usually don't like the smarty pants, "it's a brain thing, you wouldn't understand" type stuff, and that I tend to rag on Marley in particular.MarleysGh0st wrote:There are 10 kinds of people--those who understand binary and those who don't.frogman042 wrote:---Jay (Yikes, 1000 days to go, how could this be!!!)
But I found this tremendously funny! And I fall into the latter half of the statement.
Spoiler
I'm darned good and ready.
- MarleysGh0st
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I was only responding to the line frogman gave, you know!Here's Fanny! wrote:You know that I usually don't like the smarty pants, "it's a brain thing, you wouldn't understand" type stuff, and that I tend to rag on Marley in particular.MarleysGh0st wrote:There are 10 kinds of people--those who understand binary and those who don't.frogman042 wrote:---Jay (Yikes, 1000 days to go, how could this be!!!)
But I found this tremendously funny! And I fall into the latter half of the statement.
Besides, now that it's Friday, he only has 111 days left to go!

- Here's Fanny!
- Peekaboo!
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I know, I found both of you funny! I was going to make a joke in return, but I didn't know binary for 3. Of course, if I did know it, then the basis for the joke would have been flawed anyway. Ha!MarleysGh0st wrote:I was only responding to the line frogman gave, you know!Here's Fanny! wrote:You know that I usually don't like the smarty pants, "it's a brain thing, you wouldn't understand" type stuff, and that I tend to rag on Marley in particular.MarleysGh0st wrote: There are 10 kinds of people--those who understand binary and those who don't.
But I found this tremendously funny! And I fall into the latter half of the statement.
Besides, now that it's Friday, he only has 111 days left to go!
Spoiler
I'm darned good and ready.
- MarleysGh0st
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- littlebeast13
- Dumbass
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Here's Fanny! wrote:I know, I found both of you funny! I was going to make a joke in return, but I didn't know binary for 3. Of course, if I did know it, then the basis for the joke would have been flawed anyway. Ha!MarleysGh0st wrote:I was only responding to the line frogman gave, you know!Here's Fanny! wrote: You know that I usually don't like the smarty pants, "it's a brain thing, you wouldn't understand" type stuff, and that I tend to rag on Marley in particular.
But I found this tremendously funny! And I fall into the latter half of the statement.
Besides, now that it's Friday, he only has 111 days left to go!
Your avatar's flashing the binary number for 3!

lb13
- Here's Fanny!
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Thanks, guys! I'm including Marcus in the 'guys' there.
"So, actually there are 11 kinds of people, those that understand binary, those that don't and those who know enough about it to get the joke but not enough to make it themselves."
That was really worth it, wasn't it? Ha!
"So, actually there are 11 kinds of people, those that understand binary, those that don't and those who know enough about it to get the joke but not enough to make it themselves."
That was really worth it, wasn't it? Ha!
Spoiler
I'm darned good and ready.
- littlebeast13
- Dumbass
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Here's Fanny! wrote:Thanks, guys! I'm including Marcus in the 'guys' there.
"So, actually there are 11 kinds of people, those that understand binary, those that don't and those who know enough about it to get the joke but not enough to make it themselves."
That was really worth it, wasn't it? Ha!
We'll have to quit talking about binary before I start thinking of christie as liking the number 15....
lb13
- Bob Juch
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Or would that be 33?littlebeast13 wrote:Here's Fanny! wrote:Thanks, guys! I'm including Marcus in the 'guys' there.
"So, actually there are 11 kinds of people, those that understand binary, those that don't and those who know enough about it to get the joke but not enough to make it themselves."
That was really worth it, wasn't it? Ha!
We'll have to quit talking about binary before I start thinking of christie as liking the number 15....
lb13
If you count in binary on your fingers, watch out for 100.
I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- Douglas Adams (1952 - 2001)
Si fractum non sit, noli id reficere.
Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the home and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to drive in New Jersey.
- frogman042
- Bored Pun-dit
- Posts: 3200
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When I turned 48 2 years ago - I made a point of telling folks I was 30 and I wasn't lying about my age (any takers - folks have told me I have a very base sense of humor)MarleysGh0st wrote:Here's Fanny! wrote:I was going to make a joke in return, but I didn't know binary for 3.Spoiler
11
---Jay (Lucky Number Sleven)
-
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Apparently, you're a hexadecimally based guy.frogman042 wrote:When I turned 48 2 years ago - I made a point of telling folks I was 30 and I wasn't lying about my age (any takers - folks have told me I have a very base sense of humor)MarleysGh0st wrote:Here's Fanny! wrote:I was going to make a joke in return, but I didn't know binary for 3.Spoiler
11
---Jay (Lucky Number Sleven)
- themanintheseersuckersuit
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Speaking of numbers, here's a new source of potential contestants
Tribe living without numbers
apologies in advance to our own tribe.
Tribe living without numbers
apologies in advance to our own tribe.
Suitguy is not bitter.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.
feels he represents the many educated and rational onlookers who believe that the hysterical denouncement of lay scepticism is both unwarranted and counter-productive
The problem, then, is that such calls do not address an opposition audience so much as they signal virtue. They talk past those who need convincing. They ignore actual facts and counterargument. And they are irreparably smug.