“Millionaire” Evolves in 2008: Cautiously Optimistic

22 Jul

Posted by Alex Davis as Syndication, Who Wants to be a Millionaire?

I think we have a motto for the Fall 2008 game show season: Remain Cautiously Optimistic. I got back from vacation late last night and realized I completely forgot to put my out of office message on my inbox. I received a lot of messages, and in there was one from Michael Davies, who executive produces Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, Power of 10, and Chain Reaction (hey they can’t all be winners). In it was an exciting but remotely worrying message about the next season of syndicated Who Want to be a Millionaire?, hosted by Meredith Vieira. Big changes are coming.

First, a small back story is in order. Production company 2waytraffic took over the show a few months back and have started putting in a lot of changes, both in terms of game play and visual/audio changes. For the most part, the visual and audio changes have blown. Instead of the tense music, the remixed music creates Millionaire Dance Party, and the graphics just look cheesy. However, the game play changes haven’t been that bad. Only one has irked me barely any at all, and that’s England’s new 12 question format, with only two questions in the first tier. It’s just awkward. Other European countries have started offering more lifelines for removing milestones, and that’s an interesting change.

Michael Davies sent me a message saying to “Brace yourself for the most exciting evolution of the format since Super Millionaire. All unique to the US at this point – we have not imported any of the international modifications.” And of course, since this is all unique, we have absolutely no idea what’s going on. Super Millionaire’s changes weren’t that drastic and actually worked well so there’s a lot of great potential here. However, in the back of my mind, whenever an incredibly solid show like Millionaire changes things, I cringe just a bit. Dress rehearsals are today so maybe we’ll get information. If we don’t, we’ll be waiting for a press release or some other hints.

What do you think the Millionaire changes could be for the new season?

6 Responses

Julia
1
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Wow…I always cringe at messing with a format that works. While I rarely watch Millionaire, since I am either asleep or at work during the 12:30 time slot it airs in Philly, when I do, I thoroughly enjoy it. I would like to see more big winners, but since it’s a syndicated show, I can understand why they need to save the budget a bit by writing really tough questions at points and kinda forcing people out at points.

I’m kinda worried about this, and I hope it’s nothing drastic. This show has been on in some format in the US since 1999. Why change it now? (BTW- I think this is why I’m a bit worried about TPiR. It’s a format that has stood the test of time for 35 years. Why mess with it at all? But, that’s another thread for another time and place)
Joe
2
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I actually don’t mind the 12 question format the Brits use. After all these years, I am a little tired of the first 5 questions. Though it is funny (though sometimes heartbreaking) to see a zero dollar winner, 99% of the time the show wastes everyone’s time asking questions we all already knew the answer to. Also the Brit’s money ladder I think is a little more interesting as it shoots up much faster, increasing the drama.

Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing them add the Double Dip lifeline in the third tier, like they did in Super Millionaire. Even in the syndicated Millionaire, most people don’t get to 25,000 with their 50/50 in tact. And the requirement to answer the question immediately adds more drama in itself.

….

How about they get rid of phone a friend, and add 30 seconds of using google so they can just skip the middle man? jk :P
AMNewsBoy
3
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm

One change that’s coming up this season… they’re asking those of us in the contestant pool (for a year now, yeesh) to prepare photos of our Phone-a-Friends… so that, obviously, they can show them when the call is made.

Minor change, but there ya go.
Adam
4
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:30 pm

The only change I want to see is the new remixed music. I’m probably the only one who wouldnt mind it.
Shon
5
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm

I agree with Joe. Actually they would be better because the meat of the game is in the later rounds. I always thought the first five question were more of a formality anyway, to get a contestants feet wet but the show has been on here for about ten years now and I think they can just do away with the first questions. Usually after when a contestant is introduced and they start the first round I always change the channel. The show starts to get interesting shortly before the 25K question is asked.

Also it could be worse. In the Japanese version of WWTBAM they completely edit episodes and skip over questions that were either too easy for the contestant or not interesting enough for broadcast.

Take this clip for example; you’ll see what I’m talking about. (This is from a celebrity special but I still love the way they enter the arena and I also love the graphic that shows the players strengths and weakness in knowledge.)

Part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9PERbtGTjc

Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FADXKgJpVhQ&feature=related
James D.
6
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 am

This message board appears to suggests that some of the elements of Super Millionaire will be coming to WWTBAM this season, according to rehearsals…

http://www.wwtbambored.com./viewtopic.php?t=7837

Also, I’ve read that the number of PAFs a contestant can have has been reduced from five to three. Minor, but it will encourage contestants to think harder on who to put on their list.

(Note: I’ve been on six PAF lists over the years, and was picked once (and got the question right!). I’ve heard the spiel over and over, so I’m used to it :) ).