New Millionaire Format Officially Revealed

[TheConfessor]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/08/mill ... reshed.php



August 17, 2008 8:50 PM
‘Millionaire’ Gets Refreshed

By Chris Pursell

The popular syndicated game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is undergoing a format revamp for this fall.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

“Most successful game shows have changed and morphed their look over time, and I think we’ve gotten a little too comfortable over here as well,” said “Millionaire” executive producer Michael Davies. “This show was always designed to look slick, and the time was right to take our unique space and evolve it into something even more exciting.”

“Millionaire,” which continues to be one of the top three game shows in syndication as it enters its seventh season, is getting a number of tweaks, including new lifelines and graphics and a heightened tension level with the addition of a time limit for answers.

The show’s “hot seat” will feature a set amount of time in which contestants must give host Meredith Vieira a “final answer.” If the contestant fails to respond before the clock expires, he will have to walk away with his winnings without the chance to add more to the pot. However, any time not used on the first 14 questions can be banked for use on the $1 million question.

Fifteen seconds each will be allowed for the answers to the first five questions and 30 seconds for the next five, followed by 45 seconds for the next series of four. The contestant is allowed 45 seconds for the final question plus any banked time not previously used.

“Although the clock does add pressure to the contestants, that was not the intention of the move,” Mr. Davies said. “We wanted to build energy inside the show because the amount of time a contestant can take can often deflate the momentum the show has been building. This will now immediately make the show more contemporary and makes it easier for Meredith.”

Lifelines also were under the microscope. The 50/50 and “Switch the Question” lifelines will be dropped from the game. In their place will be two new aids for the contestant.

The first will be “Ask the Expert,” where the contestant will have access to experts on any question past the $1,000 level. “Millionaire” will aim to give access to famous newsmakers, journalists, former “Millionaire” contestants, trivia champs, politicians, doctors, professors, etc., via a live face-to-face video call. The call will be placed via Skype as part of a promotional deal.

Among the experts utilized will be Bill Nye (airing Sept. 8-12) and Ogi Ogas, a former “Millionaire” contestant from Boston who walked away with $500,000 in winnings (airing Sept. 15-19).

For the second aid, the show will bring back the “Double Dip,” in which contestants are allowed to take two guesses on any given question. “Double Dip” originally was utilized on ABC’s “Super Millionaire.”

“We really took a good look at the lifelines we already had and modernized them,” Mr. Davies said. “We quickly got rid of 50/50 as it was always the most unpopular lifeline on ‘Millionaire.’ Then we noted the ‘Switch the Question’ was not helping the contestants much. By replacing it with ‘Ask the Expert,’ we were able to create a truly effective lifeline that also looks very modern and different and cool.”

The new season also will update the graphics package of the series, including the “Millionaire Menu,” in which the categories of the contestant’s entire pyramid of 15 questions are revealed at the beginning of the game. Among the topics could be “Scary Movies,” “Presidential Posses,” “‘SNL’ Characters,” “In the News” and “Potter!” The “Millionaire Menu” will serve as an in-show tease for home viewers, providing them with a sneak peek at what’s coming up on the show.

The “Phone a Friend” lifeline graphics package also will be updated, providing photos, name and hometown for each of the contestant’s three potential lifeline friends.

“All of these add up to only a little change for the show, but they each add a dramatic impact to what viewers will see,” Mr. Davies said.

“‘Millionaire’ remains a classy show because of these additions,” he added, “and it really got good again. Already contestants have won more money through this point of our tapings than I can remember having before, and other countries airing the show already want to add these changes into their own versions as well.”

[NellyLunatic1980]

“‘Millionaire’ remains a classy show because of these additions,” he added, “and it really got good again. Already contestants have won more money through this point of our tapings than I can remember having before....”

MBFFB® will be the judge of that, Michael Davies.

[gsabc]

By replacing it with ‘Ask the Expert,’ we were able to create a truly effective lifeline that also looks very modern and different and cool.

Effective? We'll see. The "Three Wise Men" wasn't all that effective a lifeline during SuperBAM, IIRC.

the “Millionaire Menu,” in which the categories of the contestant’s entire pyramid of 15 questions are revealed at the beginning of the game.

Are these listed in order, or randomly? If the former, it could significantly affect game play and your decisions on lifeline use. And how much time do you have to look at them when you're in the hot seat? Are they displayed only for a few seconds, or are they up there continuously?

Already contestants have won more money through this point of our tapings than I can remember having before,

Ah, but is that because of the new system or just random chance? Not enough data and way too early to tell, IMO. And how good is your memory, Mr. Davies, since you're busy hyping the show and want to display it in the best light?

[MarleysGh0st]

By replacing it with ‘Ask the Expert,’ we were able to create a truly effective lifeline that also looks very modern and different and cool.

Effective? We'll see. The "Three Wise Men" wasn't all that effective a lifeline during SuperBAM, IIRC.

No, it wasn't.

The AOL ATA was also very modern and different and cool, Mr. Davies. What happened to that when its "promotional deal" went away?

[littlebeast13]

By replacing it with ‘Ask the Expert,’ we were able to create a truly effective lifeline that also looks very modern and different and cool.

Effective? We'll see. The "Three Wise Men" wasn't all that effective a lifeline during SuperBAM, IIRC.

No, it wasn't.

The AOL ATA was also very modern and different and cool, Mr. Davies. What happened to that when its "promotional deal" went away?

That may have had something to do with the nasty letter MBFFB® wrote _TPTB_ regarding that particular lifeline....

lb13

[ToLiveIsToFly]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

[MarleysGh0st]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

There are some who like them. Maybe even some who like the sound of all of them.

There may be a big difference (collectively) in the responses of those who have already been in the Hot Seat and those who haven't.

[bondguy007]

To make the first five questions 15 seconds each, they're going to have be reaaaaally simple, "you know it or you don't" type questions, lol (Please no math, please no math!) I actually like everything except the clock, but that's been my opinion since the beginning

[earendel]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

I think it's too soon to tell whether they are "good" or not. They certainly do change the flavor of the game.

[Bob Juch]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

If you saw my report on the "experts" who told the HSer to walk with the money when my friend was there, you wouldn't.

Also, I forgot to mention that while my friend was there, no one used the Double Dip but instead walked. That was because choosing it commits you to answering.

[starfish1113]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

It's a mixed bag for me.

Using Play It as a marker, the clock shouldn't present that much of a barrier (except, of course, on math questions or ones like "How many states begin with the letter N?")

If the showing of the categories is what I think it is, then this is a GREAT addition. Imagine being on the fence as to whether you are going to answer your 100K question in front of you. If the 250K question is on Garth Brooks and Garth is your uncle, you are much more likely to go for it (with the implied odds of a bigger score being much better) than if the next question is on Shirley Temple and you don't know if they're talking about the actress or the drink, and you don't know anything about either! It's an extra level of strategy that I believe will add excitement to the show.

I personally believe that Ask The Expert might be useless in many circumstances, and I haven't seen any clarifications on the specifics of it. Are you told in the beginning that your Expert is a particular person, or do you have a host of Experts to choose from? If your Expert is Jack Hannah but your question is about Inflationary Rates, do you even bother? Of course, the Category stack might come into play here as well. Again, using Jack Hannah as an example, do you try with all your might to get to that category labelled "Giraffes" because you think he might be able to help you?

Finally, the double dip is destined to become the great unused lifeline, especially for people who get past the 50K question with it still available. I'm not sure that I would even consider using it on a 100K question in which I'm clueless on, unless the 250K question is on 80s Pop Music. I think you'll see that lifeline used at 50K for a vast majority of contestants.

[Bob Juch]

I personally believe that Ask The Expert might be useless in many circumstances, and I haven't seen any clarifications on the specifics of it. Are you told in the beginning that your Expert is a particular person, or do you have a host of Experts to choose from? If your Expert is Jack Hannah but your question is about Inflationary Rates, do you even bother? Of course, the Category stack might come into play here as well. Again, using Jack Hannah as an example, do you try with all your might to get to that category labelled "Giraffes" because you think he might be able to help you?.

The "expert" is introduced after the $1000 Q is answered correctly.

[ghostjmf]

I personally think it all stinks, & is not the game I have yearned for years to play.

Does posting this mean they'll relent & give me my opp next week?

Time limits: Good. Time limits that are less than at least a couple minutes: bad.

I realize that J! has way shorter time limits, as did the FF on PTBAM. On the other hand, you aren't kicked off the game for not answering on J!.

Knowing the categories in advance: Distracting. I guess it will help you avoid "Location of Angelina's birthmarks" if you're just not that into Angelina (maybe this is the wrong phrasing, considering the subject?) but otherwise not much good. Hell, Final J! category is often distracting & misleading.

The 50/50, once they made it a true 50/50, was a terrific lifeline. Sad to see it go. Ditto STQ, which has saved the occasional smart person's rear.

And the new ones don't turn me on at all. Well, OK, I would call Ogi, if he'd have me. Or select others they may line up. Very select. Not most of them.

[gsabc]

Am I the only one who thinks all of these changes are good?

I think it's too soon to tell whether they are "good" or not. They certainly do change the flavor of the game.

I agree with that. I'm eager to see how well (or not well) they all work. I'll have to figure out how my VCR/DVD player works again for recording. It's used so seldom for that purpose.

[MarleysGh0st]

It's a mixed bag for me.

Using Play It as a marker, the clock shouldn't present that much of a barrier (except, of course, on math questions or ones like "How many states begin with the letter N?")

When you were a Play It contestant, did you never wish for more time than they gave you on the clock? Sure, most of the lower level questions were easy answers, but I can recall wanting more time to think in the upper tier.

And that would especially be true if I were playing for substantial sums of money and not just for some pins (and a remote chance at a cruise).

[starfish1113]

It's a mixed bag for me.

Using Play It as a marker, the clock shouldn't present that much of a barrier (except, of course, on math questions or ones like "How many states begin with the letter N?")

When you were a Play It contestant, did you never wish for more time than they gave you on the clock? Sure, most of the lower level questions were easy answers, but I can recall wanting more time to think in the upper tier.

And that would especially be true if I were playing for substantial sums of money and not just for some pins (and a remote chance at a cruise).

For me, I never wished for more time on the clock. The questions I got right were ones I knew right away. One of my ATA questions I was completely clueless on. The other was a brain fart situation but one that wouldn't have come to me regardless of the time I spent. I crashed and burned on both of my 50/50 questions, both of which I would have missed regardless of how much time was left.

That said, others' results may vary. Had I had a question that required calculations, I would have very much wanted to have more time on the clock.

[Bob78164]

I'd be much happier with one tweak. Make banked time available all the way up the ladder.

There were times in the Play It! hot seat where more time would have done me some good. Not calculation questions, but questions where I needed to follow an obscure line of reasoning. --Bob

[Here's Fanny!]

I like the new tote board. It gives both the contestant and (more importantly to the DIC) the viewing audience something to anticipate.

As I commented when the speculation began, that's the best part of Don't Forget the Lyrics, besides the magnificence that is Wayne Brady. Or Laurence Fishburne. Or maybe Samuel L. Jackson.

[ulysses5019]

I like the new tote board. It gives both the contestant and (more importantly to the DIC) the viewing audience something to anticipate.

As I commented when the speculation began, that's the best part of Don't Forget the Lyrics, besides the magnificence that is Wayne Brady. Or Laurence Fishburne. Or maybe Samuel L. Jackson.

Do they all sound alike?

[tanstaafl2]

I personally believe that Ask The Expert might be useless in many circumstances, and I haven't seen any clarifications on the specifics of it. Are you told in the beginning that your Expert is a particular person, or do you have a host of Experts to choose from? If your Expert is Jack Hannah but your question is about Inflationary Rates, do you even bother? Of course, the Category stack might come into play here as well. Again, using Jack Hannah as an example, do you try with all your might to get to that category labelled "Giraffes" because you think he might be able to help you?.

The "expert" is introduced after the $1000 Q is answered correctly.

My experience seeing "Jungle" Jack Hanna on Letterman for years suggests that even if the question were about giraffes, or any other question related to the Animal Kingdom, Jungle Jack isn't likely to be much help. He may be a whiz in business or some other area, I couldn't say, but animals definitely do not seem to be his strong suit...

I wonder if the so called experts (so called celebrities more so perhaps than past winners) have the good sense to have google handy? Somehow I doubt it...

[LastMinuteRequest]

I wonder if the so called experts (so called celebrities more so perhaps than past winners) have the good sense to have google handy? Somehow I doubt it...

Experts aren't allowed to use Google, or other aids. Experts are on camera, so they can't do it sneakily, either, if one was so inclined, though of course there's not the same empowering motivation to nail a correct answer as when there's cold hard cash at stake.

On the other hand, Experts don't have a time limit, sort of, which I thought would help me, because I'm pretty slow and creaky, but then TPTB wanted me to speed things up. But I think if I was an Expert and got a big money question, and thought I could figure it out if I took some time, I would; I imagine TPTB would want that, also.

[Here's Fanny!]

I like the new tote board. It gives both the contestant and (more importantly to the DIC) the viewing audience something to anticipate.

As I commented when the speculation began, that's the best part of Don't Forget the Lyrics, besides the magnificence that is Wayne Brady. Or Laurence Fishburne. Or maybe Samuel L. Jackson.

Do they all sound alike?

Now that I think about it, they kinda do. Ha!

[MarleysGh0st]

On the other hand, Experts don't have a time limit, sort of, which I thought would help me, because I'm pretty slow and creaky, but then TPTB wanted me to speed things up. But I think if I was an Expert and got a big money question, and thought I could figure it out if I took some time, I would; I imagine TPTB would want that, also.

This is so messed up!

Contestants have strict time limits.

PAFs have strict time limits (still 30 seconds?) to have the question read to them over the phone and then provide an answer.

Experts don't have a strict time limit? With the intent that celebrity experts would get more face time? And, yet, as you say, there's unofficial pressure to speed it up to keep up the pace/excitement. (In the same way, I believe TPTB encourage the students on 5th Grader to answer as quickly as possible, even when a little more thought would be helpful.)

Why do you think TPTB would care about you getting the right answer for the contestant, if doing so required you slow down this fresh, fast, exciting new format?

[The Huge Manatee]

Let's go fishing.

To me it looks like more drama for the minnows, but more opportunity for the sharks.

Mr. Buffett says

Lindbergh left long island in 1927
He thumbed his nose at gravity
And climbed into the heavens.
When he returned to earth that night
Everything had changed
For the pilot and the planet
Everything was rearranged

We’re a pretty mixed up bunch
Of crazy human beings
It’s written on our rocketships
And in early cave wall scenes

How does it happen?
How do we know?
Who sits and watches?
Who does the show?

Some people love to lead
Some refuse to dance
Some people play it safely
Others take a chance

Still, it’s all a mystery
This place we call the world
Where most live as oysters
While some become pearls

Now elvis was the only man
From north east mississippi
Who could shake his hips
And still be loved by
Rednecks, cops and hippies

It’s something more than dna
That tells us who we are
Its method and magic
We are of the stars

Some never fade away
Some crash and burn
Some make the world go round
Others watch it turn

Still, it’s all a mystery,
This place we call the world
Most are fine as oysters
While some become pearls

[tanstaafl2]

I wonder if the so called experts (so called celebrities more so perhaps than past winners) have the good sense to have google handy? Somehow I doubt it...

Experts aren't allowed to use Google, or other aids. Experts are on camera, so they can't do it sneakily, either, if one was so inclined, though of course there's not the same empowering motivation to nail a correct answer as when there's cold hard cash at stake.

On the other hand, Experts don't have a time limit, sort of, which I thought would help me, because I'm pretty slow and creaky, but then TPTB wanted me to speed things up. But I think if I was an Expert and got a big money question, and thought I could figure it out if I took some time, I would; I imagine TPTB would want that, also.

Well, I know the past winners will give it their best shot but I have little or no confidence in the celebrity experts. And not being able to use google or other options limits it further. As it is you have to hope the question you need help with is at least somewhat related to what the expert knows (and the Jungle Jack Hannah example just goes to show that even their supposed strong subject may not be really a strong subject. I think I likely know more about animals then he does!). Give me the STQ any time. I would also prefer the 50/50. I know there was some number crunching early on about which was best for a particular situation but I would much rather know that the correct answer was one of two than guess 2 of 4 remaining, especially if that locks me into having to answer.

I find nothing about the clock appealing either. Put a time limit on questions in general of 3-5 minutes perhaps until you get to the million (if they ever get to it again...) if you need to. But this sounds more like it is so Mere can make her dinner reservation...