Sam Murray or Jehan Shamsid-Deen. Who wins the “Millionaire” Tournament of Ten?
Note: After the show airs in your area feel free to put spoilers in the comment section for discussion. Read at your own risk.
Today’s the day we’ve been waiting all sea…well ten weeks for. Today is the final day of Who Wants to be a Millionaire‘s Tournament of Ten. Sam Murray, seed eight of ten, has held onto the million dollar check for two weeks. The only person stopping Sam is number one seed Jehan Shamsid-Deen, a non-profit program officer from Concord, North Carolina. In her extremely tense and exciting first game she won $250,000 (the only person to do so this season thus far). It’s earned her the top spot in the Tournament. All Jehan has to do is answer her million dollar question and she becomes the first person to claim $1,000,000 on Millionaire since 2004.
Jehan does have to risk $225,000 to answer it, though. Given not even $50,000 winners would risk $25,000 if they weren’t positive, I somehow doubt Jehan will. But I am really pulling for her. She’s been by far the most impressive player the show has had in two or three years. One question in the category of “Extremely Rare,” which is ironically how often we get millionaires on the show, stands between her and the prize. If she goes for it and misses, or walks away, Sam Murray walks away with the $1,000,000 check.
We got to chat with each of them a bit today. The part I was most interested in was if Sam Murray actually knew his question or if he just had a hunch and unlike the other eight had the guts to go for it. Sam told us, “To be honest with you when I saw that question I was just like, “Wow.”…But I already had said in my mind, “Even if I take home $25K it’s more than I had.” I figured if I had an idea I’d take the risk and luckily I figured it out.”
It was especially amazing that Sam stuck around so long given he had so many people that can beat him. Sam wasn’t that worried, though, saying, “I wished everyone the best. Everyone who was in the tournament…I mean I just had a great time with these people. And I thought, especially after I answered it, you know, if they beat me I still have $50,000.”
Arguably the toughest decision of the Tournament goes to Jehan, though. Again, she has a $225,000 risk here; $200,000 more than Sam. She said, with the amount of money she has, though, there’s not going to be any crazy gambling. “You remember from my first game I took quite a few risks,” Jehan says, “but on a question of that level and with the risk involved I decided that if I didn’t know it that I would not risk it.”
So there we have it. The big day is today so if you’re a Millionaire fan don’t miss it. Realistically, unless Jehan answers and misses it, no one is a loser. Either Sam walks with his original $50,000 and Jehan jumps to a million or Jehan keeps her $250,000 and Sam wins a million. It’s a win-win for everyone.
It's going to be Sam. Just too much of a risk for Jehan to seriously want to go for it. I'll be very surprised if she does.
It's going to be Sam. Just too much of a risk for Jehan to seriously want to go for it. I'll be very surprised if she does.
Me too, my friend. My head says Jehan, but my heart says Sam. I'll go with my heart & hope Sam gets that million.
Me too, my friend. My head says Jehan, but my heart says Sam. I'll go with my heart & hope Sam gets that million.
SPOILER: Read at your own risk.
Sam Murray has totally made Philadelphians such as myself forget the Phillies losing the World Series. I couldn't be happier for a fellow Philadelphian and add on to the fact that he was seeded #8 (Underdog BOOYOW!!!). I'm even happier that Jehan kept her $250,000. I'm a gambler myself but I don't think I would even have the guts to risk $225,000. Once again, congradulations Sam Murray. You've made Philadelphia proud.
SPOILER: Read at your own risk.
Sam Murray has totally made Philadelphians such as myself forget the Phillies losing the World Series. I couldn't be happier for a fellow Philadelphian and add on to the fact that he was seeded #8 (Underdog BOOYOW!!!). I'm even happier that Jehan kept her $250,000. I'm a gambler myself but I don't think I would even have the guts to risk $225,000. Once again, congradulations Sam Murray. You've made Philadelphia proud.
SPOILER:
Not be a buzz kill (Congrats Sam!, you made Philly proud), but if Sam did not go for the million and no one else risked the money, what would have happened? Would the entire tournament been a bust?
WAAAHHHH!!!! I was rooting for Jehan so badly!! I just identified with her more I guess. Oh well, they're both winners. I wonder if the producers told her to take all the time for drama?
But yeah, WHAT would have happened if Sam never answered…
WAAAHHHH!!!! I was rooting for Jehan so badly!! I just identified with her more I guess. Oh well, they're both winners. I wonder if the producers told her to take all the time for drama?
But yeah, WHAT would have happened if Sam never answered…
My friend, I feel you. I don't think it was rigged, but it did feel hollow. Millionaire shouldn't have to resort to stunts like this to give away the million. When I see a person see the million dollar question, it's with the general understanding that they went through 14 questions prior to see it. Here, not the case. That's why I feel like this million was a deluded victory, with all due respect to Sam. He deserves every penny of it.
That said, I just feel like this was not as satisfying as the other million dollar winners, due to the tournament format. It felt like cheating. Not that there was, but it felt like it. The only way I would feel like this was earned would if someone got a $500,000 question right, then passed on the million, still qualifying for the tournament, but setting up the situation for what I feel is a genuine win, with as much risk in a regular format as that situation would have provided. But we had people with $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 look at the question. It just feels hollow, and ultimately, to this game show fan, unsatisfying.
Freaking un-be-leaveable that he held on to that check for so long. Also unbeleaveable that there was only one person willing to pull the trigger out of ten, seven of which would have won.
After watching the entire tournament, i have to say while it was exciting, it wasn't as eventful as other million dollar runs such as Carpenter's, Christy's, or Bob O's, or (especially to the seven that could've won) as heartbreaking Ogas's or Basin's. It would've been much more exciting if more people went for it though.
Next time if your in desperation for a millionaire though, just dumb down the questions in the regular game. While it does make a lot of complainers, It's worked before and many more viewers will consider the wins legitimate compared to this. Watch the U.S. primetime, early U.K., and Japanese versions of Millionaire and you'll know what i'm talking about.
Oh and Daniel, stop being so butthurt and take out that tin foil hat. The show is not rigged. Jesus. And i thought that this site had problems for having such a European bias already.
Yes. Nobody would have gotten the money.
SPOILER ALERT.
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I saw the moment. And guess what? IT. FELT. RIGGED. Why was Sam the only one to get the correct answer? Why weren't those who had $50,000 willing to risk half that for $950,000?
I swear this Tournament was rigged — Sam Murray's question was the ONLY one that was easy! Look at Jehan's face when the correct answer was revealed — she was like "I'm gonna kick Davies for telling me to walk!"
It's not like I've watched the show at all in the past few months, but to make the whole Tournament feel like it was rigged isn't exactly helping. The odds of SEVEN people walking away from a $1,000,000 check and getting the question right is too high to be a coincidence.
I'm sorry, but that's how I feel. There's just way too many elements that suggest this whole thing was rigged from top-to-bottom.
SPOILER ALERT.
====
I saw the moment. And guess what? IT. FELT. RIGGED. Why was Sam the only one to get the correct answer? Why weren't those who had $50,000 willing to risk half that for $950,000?
I swear this Tournament was rigged — Sam Murray's question was the ONLY one that was easy! Look at Jehan's face when the correct answer was revealed — she was like "I'm gonna kick Davies for telling me to walk!"
It's not like I've watched the show at all in the past few months, but to make the whole Tournament feel like it was rigged isn't exactly helping. The odds of SEVEN people walking away from a $1,000,000 check and getting the question right is too high to be a coincidence.
I'm sorry, but that's how I feel. There's just way too many elements that suggest this whole thing was rigged from top-to-bottom.
My friend, I feel you. I don't think it was rigged, but it did feel hollow. Millionaire shouldn't have to resort to stunts like this to give away the million. When I see a person see the million dollar question, it's with the general understanding that they went through 14 questions prior to see it. Here, not the case. That's why I feel like this million was a deluded victory, with all due respect to Sam. He deserves every penny of it.
That said, I just feel like this was not as satisfying as the other million dollar winners, due to the tournament format. It felt like cheating. Not that there was, but it felt like it. The only way I would feel like this was earned would if someone got a $500,000 question right, then passed on the million, still qualifying for the tournament, but setting up the situation for what I feel is a genuine win, with as much risk in a regular format as that situation would have provided. But we had people with $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 look at the question. It just feels hollow, and ultimately, to this game show fan, unsatisfying.
My friend, I feel you. I don't think it was rigged, but it did feel hollow. Millionaire shouldn't have to resort to stunts like this to give away the million. When I see a person see the million dollar question, it's with the general understanding that they went through 14 questions prior to see it. Here, not the case. That's why I feel like this million was a deluded victory, with all due respect to Sam. He deserves every penny of it.
That said, I just feel like this was not as satisfying as the other million dollar winners, due to the tournament format. It felt like cheating. Not that there was, but it felt like it. The only way I would feel like this was earned would if someone got a $500,000 question right, then passed on the million, still qualifying for the tournament, but setting up the situation for what I feel is a genuine win, with as much risk in a regular format as that situation would have provided. But we had people with $50,000, $100,000, and $250,000 look at the question. It just feels hollow, and ultimately, to this game show fan, unsatisfying.
I had a day off from work today and, for the first time, had the chance to check out Tournament of 10. The whole process, to me, looked underwhelming. Yes, it was exciting to have a contestant correctly answer the million dollar question correctly. But it's not interesting television to watch nine other contestants pass on their questions in a two-week period. It also cheapens the importance of the $1M question — such questions should be event television, not something that wears out its welcome after a handful of episodes.
If WWTBAM wants to do this again, they need to find a better way.
I had a day off from work today and, for the first time, had the chance to check out Tournament of 10. The whole process, to me, looked underwhelming. Yes, it was exciting to have a contestant correctly answer the million dollar question correctly. But it's not interesting television to watch nine other contestants pass on their questions in a two-week period. It also cheapens the importance of the $1M question — such questions should be event television, not something that wears out its welcome after a handful of episodes.
If WWTBAM wants to do this again, they need to find a better way.
After watching the entire tournament, i have to say while it was exciting, it wasn't as eventful as other million dollar runs such as Carpenter's, Christy's, or Bob O's, or (especially to the seven that could've won) as heartbreaking Ogas's or Basin's. It would've been much more exciting if more people went for it though.
Next time if your in desperation for a millionaire though, just dumb down the questions in the regular game. While it does make a lot of complainers, It's worked before and many more viewers will consider the wins legitimate compared to this. Watch the U.S. primetime, early U.K., and Japanese versions of Millionaire and you'll know what i'm talking about.
Oh and Daniel, stop being so butthurt and take out that tin foil hat. The show is not rigged. Jesus. And i thought that this site had problems for having such a European bias already.
After watching the entire tournament, i have to say while it was exciting, it wasn't as eventful as other million dollar runs such as Carpenter's, Christy's, or Bob O's, or (especially to the seven that could've won) as heartbreaking Ogas's or Basin's. It would've been much more exciting if more people went for it though.
Next time if your in desperation for a millionaire though, just dumb down the questions in the regular game. While it does make a lot of complainers, It's worked before and many more viewers will consider the wins legitimate compared to this. Watch the U.S. primetime, early U.K., and Japanese versions of Millionaire and you'll know what i'm talking about.
Oh and Daniel, stop being so butthurt and take out that tin foil hat. The show is not rigged. Jesus. And i thought that this site had problems for having such a European bias already.
Nothing suggests it was rigged. It isn't hard to imagine why people for whom it was a bigger risk chose not to gamble; THAT'S precisely the double-edge sword of being a higher seed and what made how they did things interesting.
So people had gut instincts and didn't take the bet. We've seen it counteless times before; that it happened in this format isn't all that unusual. These were smart folks, but only one was willing to pull the trigger.
Nothing suggests it was rigged. It isn't hard to imagine why people for whom it was a bigger risk chose not to gamble; THAT'S precisely the double-edge sword of being a higher seed and what made how they did things interesting.
So people had gut instincts and didn't take the bet. We've seen it counteless times before; that it happened in this format isn't all that unusual. These were smart folks, but only one was willing to pull the trigger.
I'll go along with the last 2 responses. I wish Daniel would think about what he sees in this show that makes him THINK it's rigged when it really WASN'T. Sure, the remaining 7 players thought they had the right answer, but didn't pull the trigger. That's the chance you're being offered in these high-stakes situations,
And, BTW, Congrats, Sam! You make me very happy & nake me forget 3 weeks ago.
I'll go along with the last 2 responses. I wish Daniel would think about what he sees in this show that makes him THINK it's rigged when it really WASN'T. Sure, the remaining 7 players thought they had the right answer, but didn't pull the trigger. That's the chance you're being offered in these high-stakes situations,
And, BTW, Congrats, Sam! You make me very happy & nake me forget 3 weeks ago.
I agree that it wasn't as exciting as it should have been, and that more should have gone for it, but please don't use the phrase "stop being so butthurt".
And I'm not European, for the record. And I'm pretty certain the show isn't rigged, but stuff like this Tournament isn't helping my view of the show.
I agree that it wasn't as exciting as it should have been, and that more should have gone for it, but please don't use the phrase "stop being so butthurt".
And I'm not European, for the record. And I'm pretty certain the show isn't rigged, but stuff like this Tournament isn't helping my view of the show.
To respond to comments — I know the show isn't rigged (or at least, I really hope it isn't), but the way this Tournament played out isn't helping my viewpoint toward the show not being rigged.
And yeah, it felt hollow — much like the winners on "Deal Or No Deal".
To respond to comments — I know the show isn't rigged (or at least, I really hope it isn't), but the way this Tournament played out isn't helping my viewpoint toward the show not being rigged.
And yeah, it felt hollow — much like the winners on "Deal Or No Deal".
It's not a rigging, but something is very, very wrong with the new format that nobody seems to get.
There is a drastic, and I mean DRASTIC, decrease in the amount of money that has been risked on the final question since the clock came through. There is one anomaly known as Ken Basin, who did this outside of the T10 but in the clock era.
If we divide the 1M questions seen so far into T10 and natural 1M questions, 12 out of 38 normal contestants have played without the clock, where an average of $468,736.84 was at risk and the odds return was 1.067:1; but in the T10, 1 out of 10 contestants risked an average of $65,000, where the odds return was 14:1!
If we divide them into clock and non-clock 1M questions, 11 out of 37 non-clock contestants risked an average of $468,567.59 and the odds return was still 1.067:1 (within this accuracy), but with the clock, 2 out of 11 contestants risked an average of $102,272.73, with an odds return of 8.553:1!
What you've forgotten is that some of them may have not risked it on the principle that the million dollar win was NOT a sure thing because a higher seed could come back and win it later.
What you've forgotten is that some of them may have not risked it on the principle that the million dollar win was NOT a sure thing because a higher seed could come back and win it later.