More January Experts for “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”
For fans of the syndicated game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, we have a few updates on upcoming Experts used on the show’s new lifeline Ask the Expert, which becomes available once you win $1,000. First off, this week the Expert has been Joel Stein, an LA Times columnist and television personality. He’s done very well so far, only failing to offer any help once. Coming up next week, the week of January 12th, is Lucy Danziger. She’s the editor in chief of Self magazine, which is a women’s health magazine. Hey, it’s better than Entertainment Weekly writers or Alan Thicke, isn’t it? The Experts seem to be used in the second tier and are generally helpful around that area, so I’ll guess she’ll do fine.
The week after that will be pretty interesting. The week of January 19th will feature expert A.J. Jacobs, a former Millionaire contestant and author of the best selling book The Know It All. The book details how A.J read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica, from A to Z, in one year. So he should be pretty damn helpful.
I know it’s too late right now since the season is done taping, but it may help next season. Has there been anyone you’d like to see as an Expert that hasn’t popped up yet?
I am a graduate student at the University of Rochester, and I know that one week upcoming, members of the U of R quiz bowl team each took a day to be the “expert”. I haven’t heard what exactly the air dates were, but I’m pretty sure they told me late January or early February.
I’d like to see both Brad Rutter and Ben Stein as experts. Don’t think I’ve seen them on the programme yet!
Not surprised at Joel Stein’s success, after seeing his blitzing of MTV’s Idiot Savants a few years ago. I’d be happy to have him as my Expert.
I would want to see Jon Carpenter, if he hasn’t done it
or Regis Philbman
Congrats to the University of Rochester squad for being selected for ATE. Michael Davies and the WWTBAM crew are pretty knowledgable of U.S. style quiz bowl (back in the phone-in days of Regis WWTBAM, quiz bowl players and alumni were a common sight in the “Ring of Fire”). Matt, how did you guys get tapped for ATE duty?
Ben Stein would be a good choice for ATE. I’d also like to see the show issue a callout to every contestant who won at least $1M on WWTBAM (both Regis and Meredith). Nancy Christy and Joe Trela (I think) have both appeared on the show — it would great if the others could appear as well.
Regis Philbin might be a good gimmick, but he may fall on the Alan Thicke level of questionable selections. When I did the show, contestant coordinators warned us not to engage Regis in a “battle of wits,” if you get my drift.
Thinking outside the box, how about the show setting up a contest on its Web site over the summer where you can audition to be ATE, or having friends, family, etc., pitch an “average Joe” to play the role?
Keep in mind that several people — former contestants and “the famous” — may have been approached to be ATE and turned it down for various reasons.
Why does this show use the 'expert' Dana? She never knows the answer. Her expertise is pathetic. Why use her? Is it a bid to save money on the show?
Why does this show use the 'expert' Dana? She never knows the answer. Her expertise is pathetic. Why use her? Is it a bid to save money on the show?
Why does this show use the 'expert' Dana? She never knows the answer. Her expertise is pathetic. Why use her? Is it a bid to save money on the show?