Who wants to be a billionaire?
02-10-03 | 08:52 PM
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Who wants to be a billionaire?
http://www.msnbc.com/news/871110.asp?0na=x225H4I2-
WB, Pepsi plan biggest game-show prize ever
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 — So do you want to be a billionaire? Michael Davies, producer of the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and the WB network are collaborating with Pepsi-Cola on a TV game in September that could net someone a billion dollars. The plans, reported in Monday’s Variety, were confirmed by two executives close to the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity.
ONE THOUSAND CONTESTANTS will qualify for the game by purchasing marked Pepsi products this summer. They will be whittled down to one winner through what is described as a game of nerve. The winner, as part of a two-hour live special, will have the chance at the largest prize in television history.
Davies, who brought “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to the U.S. and turned it into a megahit for ABC, plans to partner with Pepsi for the special event, which insiders likened to a real-life “Willy Wonka.”
In this case, contestants will land a spot on the show if they happen to purchase one of a few specially marked Pepsi products. (In “Willy Wonka,” a handful of kids won the right to visit the Wonka chocolate factory when they found a golden ticket packaged with their candy bars.)
NO GUARANTEE
Given the random nature of who might end up with a winning Pepsi, the producers expect to find people from all walks of life to participate. Pepsi will promote the contest all summer, leading up to the special in September.
Given the summerlong hype and the potential $1 billion prize, WB insiders believe the special could attract the network’s largest-ever audience.
Details of the game were still sketchy over the weekend, although insiders said contestants will face off in a game of nerve and “chicken.”
There’s no guarantee that anyone will win $1 billion. But just in case, Pepsi — which is apparently putting up the money — hopes to secure some hefty insurance. The soft drink company is talking to a number of companies, including Lloyds of London, about insuring the show against a possible winner.
The network and producers are still working out details, including whether there will be a celebrity component or a watch-and-win-at-home aspect. The special, to be produced in New York City, will likely be fronted by multiple hosts.
GOING FOR THE BIG BUCKS
The billionaire special comes as the game show mania of 1999 and 2000 upped the prize ante. According to game show scholar and Union University professor Steve Beverly, environmental engineer Kevin Olmstead still holds the all-time game show record, having won $2.18 million on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in April 2001.
IRS employee John Carpenter became TV’s first game show millionaire in 1999, when he became the first contestant to make it all the way to the top of “Millionaire.”
Most recently, “The Price Is Right” returned to primetime with a million-dollar gimmick. Beverly said the larger jackpots have actually declined in the game show world now that they’ve disappeared from primetime again.
“Does kicking up the dollars usually result in a ratings increase?” he asked. “Unless you are introducing a format and structure totally new that catches the viewers blindsided and knocks their socks off as ’Millionaire’ did in 1999, the answer is no.”
All told, according to Beverly, more than 150 players have won at least $200,000 from various game shows.
Davies is also working with the WB on a six-episode variety show this summer that will include participation by commercial sponsors instead of actual advertisements.
We'll see how this turns out!
Chris
WB, Pepsi plan biggest game-show prize ever
MSNBC NEWS SERVICES
NEW YORK, Feb. 10 — So do you want to be a billionaire? Michael Davies, producer of the game show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” and the WB network are collaborating with Pepsi-Cola on a TV game in September that could net someone a billion dollars. The plans, reported in Monday’s Variety, were confirmed by two executives close to the deal who spoke on condition of anonymity.
ONE THOUSAND CONTESTANTS will qualify for the game by purchasing marked Pepsi products this summer. They will be whittled down to one winner through what is described as a game of nerve. The winner, as part of a two-hour live special, will have the chance at the largest prize in television history.
Davies, who brought “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to the U.S. and turned it into a megahit for ABC, plans to partner with Pepsi for the special event, which insiders likened to a real-life “Willy Wonka.”
In this case, contestants will land a spot on the show if they happen to purchase one of a few specially marked Pepsi products. (In “Willy Wonka,” a handful of kids won the right to visit the Wonka chocolate factory when they found a golden ticket packaged with their candy bars.)
NO GUARANTEE
Given the random nature of who might end up with a winning Pepsi, the producers expect to find people from all walks of life to participate. Pepsi will promote the contest all summer, leading up to the special in September.
Given the summerlong hype and the potential $1 billion prize, WB insiders believe the special could attract the network’s largest-ever audience.
Details of the game were still sketchy over the weekend, although insiders said contestants will face off in a game of nerve and “chicken.”
There’s no guarantee that anyone will win $1 billion. But just in case, Pepsi — which is apparently putting up the money — hopes to secure some hefty insurance. The soft drink company is talking to a number of companies, including Lloyds of London, about insuring the show against a possible winner.
The network and producers are still working out details, including whether there will be a celebrity component or a watch-and-win-at-home aspect. The special, to be produced in New York City, will likely be fronted by multiple hosts.
GOING FOR THE BIG BUCKS
The billionaire special comes as the game show mania of 1999 and 2000 upped the prize ante. According to game show scholar and Union University professor Steve Beverly, environmental engineer Kevin Olmstead still holds the all-time game show record, having won $2.18 million on “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” in April 2001.
IRS employee John Carpenter became TV’s first game show millionaire in 1999, when he became the first contestant to make it all the way to the top of “Millionaire.”
Most recently, “The Price Is Right” returned to primetime with a million-dollar gimmick. Beverly said the larger jackpots have actually declined in the game show world now that they’ve disappeared from primetime again.
“Does kicking up the dollars usually result in a ratings increase?” he asked. “Unless you are introducing a format and structure totally new that catches the viewers blindsided and knocks their socks off as ’Millionaire’ did in 1999, the answer is no.”
All told, according to Beverly, more than 150 players have won at least $200,000 from various game shows.
Davies is also working with the WB on a six-episode variety show this summer that will include participation by commercial sponsors instead of actual advertisements.
We'll see how this turns out!
Chris
02-10-03 | 09:01 PM
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From: Region 1
No way in hell is anyone gonna win the 1 billion dollar. It's too much for any company to cover themself. I bet if someone wins, the term will be for more than 30 years.
02-10-03 | 09:14 PM
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Well, when WWTBAM was on air, ABC did pay the full million, thanks to the insurance they took out. I'm fairly sure it was in one lump sum, although I could be wrong.
I've also got to agree that it'll be one big let down...seriously, nobody could win. And if they did....why? Nobody really needs a billion dollars, and I'd be frightened if some trailer trash in a beat up tank top and cut off shorts stumbles on to a billion dollars.
Now that would be a total waste of money.
I've also got to agree that it'll be one big let down...seriously, nobody could win. And if they did....why? Nobody really needs a billion dollars, and I'd be frightened if some trailer trash in a beat up tank top and cut off shorts stumbles on to a billion dollars.
Now that would be a total waste of money.
02-10-03 | 09:26 PM
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Stupid. And kind of insulting don't you think? Why start a promotion that you have to get insurance against it actually happening.
It'll end up like Who wants to be a millionare, some lucky ass will get $32,000; And fade back into obscurity.
It'll end up like Who wants to be a millionare, some lucky ass will get $32,000; And fade back into obscurity.
02-10-03 | 11:28 PM
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Well, when WWTBAM was on air, ABC did pay the full million, thanks to the insurance they took out. I'm fairly sure it was in one lump sum, although I could be wrong.
$1b though, even Bill Gates would have a bit of trouble going through the red tape to get that done.
-Rich
02-10-03 | 11:37 PM
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From: Downers Grove, IL
By the 'whole world', do they actually mean the whole world or just the US with Canada thrown in? Personally, I don't think there would be very good ratings if the winner turned out to be a 14-year old kid from China or a 64-year old widow from Chile.
02-11-03 | 01:05 AM
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From: Illinois
Originally posted by Aaron Amos
What were smoking when they thought of this show?I wonder what's the odds are of winning the game to get on the show?
What were smoking when they thought of this show?I wonder what's the odds are of winning the game to get on the show?
02-11-03 | 10:41 AM
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Actually, insurance for prizes like this (of course, not on this scale) is purchased quite often!
Did you ever see a local charity golf event where there's a million dollar prize for a hole-in-one on a certain hole? They charity doesn't put up this money, they buy a policy from an insurance company that specializes in those types of policies.
CHeck out these links for examples:
http://www.hole-in-won.com/
http://www.xprize.org/press/factsheet.html
http://www.naco.org/pubs/cnews/99-5-24/newsfrom.htm
(scroll down to Ohio)
FS
Did you ever see a local charity golf event where there's a million dollar prize for a hole-in-one on a certain hole? They charity doesn't put up this money, they buy a policy from an insurance company that specializes in those types of policies.
CHeck out these links for examples:
http://www.hole-in-won.com/
http://www.xprize.org/press/factsheet.html
http://www.naco.org/pubs/cnews/99-5-24/newsfrom.htm
(scroll down to Ohio)
FS
