Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

Who Wants to be a Millionare is a great game show for the whole family. If you read other reviews I have written, you will see that I am a Game Show fanatic but this one is probably our family favorite. It's one of few shows that the whole family can sit in front of the TV together and watch and I really enjoy times like that. Also, I think Regis Philbin is a great host for the show and he adds the drama to the show with the "Is that your final answer?" and before he says yes or no, he kind of stares at the ground and has us wondering for about a second and a half and then jumps up. That's really neat, I think. Who Wants to be a Millionare is a great show and I hope it lasts for a long time to come, and that is my final answer.

BEING THAT TIMING is everything in Life, this quiz show series surely must have a perfect sense of it. Bowing on the ABC TV Network on Sundays (we think), it started out like the proverbial "Ball o' Fire" and quickly gained momentum. In a silent testimony to its power and unexpected success, prime-time quiz game money giveaway $how$ made quick appearances on CBS, NBC and FOX Networks all.

THE SHOW'S APPEAL and popularity were no haphazard case of dumb luck. It is obvious that careful planning and calculation went into the program's format, content and overall appearance of this production. No element was overlooked.

FIRST OF ALL, we see the framing of the appearance on the TV screens done up on a grand scale. Rather than having contestants appearing side by side with the MC/Quizmaster, the competitors are put into a sort of 'Roman Coliseum' arena of variable and sweeping beams of concentrated lighting. Much in the same manner of the Gladiatorial combatants, the challenger meets his foe (Quizmaster) face to face.

IN ADDITION TO this careful, micro-management of the lighting, we have both the obvious and subtle use of computer controlled recorded music. There is both incidental musical queues and the constant deployment of background mood manipulating instrumental and vocal soundtrack. Mood and "excitement" were very closely manipulated in this manner.

THE WORD THAT we are looking for is "Subliminal"; as the soundtrack quietly added the element of the dramatic and elevated our anticipation of excitement in this way.

EMPLOYMENT OF THE direction of the show rendered its overall running time and the highly dramatic pacing of the proceedings is done up to the maximum. Use of friendly chit-chat (interviews) with guests and timing of segments with stopwatch precision allows the padding out of the show to a full hour; where all ceremonies could probably be said and done within the confines of the 30 minute show limit.

CAPPING OFF THE totality of this late 20th & early 21st Century mega-hit was the ascent of Regis Philbin to the Throne of Ruling Potentate and overseer of all proceedings of the day. The highly durable Mr. Philbin was the perfect man for this position. Witty, energetic and always in control, he also possessed a genuine liking of the people who came to compete.

FOR SOME MONTHS after its initial show hit the airwaves, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE was number one with the public. It was the topic of discussion around the old water cooler at many a break time.

BUT THEN, AS it seems much like all other "sensations" of the small screen, the novelty wore off. But this original, prime-time series ran from 1999-2002, or a healthy and respectable three seasons.

IT WAS FOLLOWED by the syndicated half hour version that went from 2003 until the present.

I think WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? get too much bad press. Maybe not from this database, but it does from other places, like TV and magazines. I like the fact that you don't need a Harvard degree to answer these questions, and I don't think they are too easy or too hard. I think, even though I know a British version was done, that this is a very original idea for a game show. I think this show is pretty suspenseful for a game show because you can truly play along at home, which I often do. Regis is a great host too. I think he's funny, even though the "final answer" thing gets old. (But he has to say it!) I hope that this show lasts a long time and those loser insurance people realize they have a great thing here and don't stop it.

So, you want to be a millionaire? Have you got what it takes? I have to say that some of the questions before the 1000 dollar level are very easy. But I can imagine that the pressure is unbearable when you get into that hot seat. Regis with his wicked smile, the audience and all that staring. It's enough to drive a person bonkers. Overall, the show is addictive. You watch it at home so you can feel smarter than the contestant especially when they don't know the answer. It's thrilling and it looks like Regis has his hands full for a while.

Regis Philbin is the best host for the best game quiz show of all time. He has enough humor to light up the television sets and he's serious enough to host the game like any other classical show. And the contestants are not all rocket scientists, which is what I like. I saw "Jeopardy!" before I wrote this and the contestants knew things I have never even heard of. However, contestants on Millionaire have ordinary jobs and even ordinary knowledge. And of course, it's geared toward everyone, so that the whole family can play and together. Personally, my favorite is the $1,000,000 question.