Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Who Wants to Be a Millionaire |
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| Genre | Game show |
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| Developed by | Michael Davies |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 22 (5 on ABC, 17 in syndication) |
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| Running time | 39–48 minutes (1999–2002; 2004 and 2009 specials; 2020–21) 19–25 minutes (1999; 2002–19) |
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| Original network | ABC (1999–2002, 2004, 2009, 2020–21) Syndication (2002–19) |
| Picture format | NTSC (1999–2011) HDTV 720p/1080i (2011–21) |
| Audio format | Stereo |
| Original release | August 16, 1999 – March 21, 2021 |
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is a popular American TV game show. It is based on a British show with the same name. The show was created by David Briggs, Steven Knight, and Mike Whitehill. Michael Davies helped bring it to the United States.
In the show, contestants answer multiple-choice questions. The goal is to win a top prize of $1,000,000. The questions usually get harder as the game goes on. Millionaire is one of the longest-running and most successful game shows around the world.
The first U.S. version started on ABC on August 16, 1999. It was a special event hosted by Regis Philbin. After two successful special events, ABC made it a regular series. This ran from January 18, 2000, to June 27, 2002. Regis Philbin hosted all of these shows.
A daily version of Millionaire started on September 16, 2002. This version was shown in syndication (meaning it was sold to different TV stations). Meredith Vieira was the first host of this daily show. Later hosts included Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crews, and Chris Harrison. The daily show ended on May 31, 2019.
However, Millionaire came back! On January 8, 2020, ABC brought the show back for a new season. Jimmy Kimmel hosted this version, which featured celebrity contestants playing for charity. The new season started on April 8, 2020, and was very popular.
Over the years, the show's rules have changed many times. Twelve contestants have won the top prize of $1,000,000. Millionaire was the first U.S. network game show to offer such a big prize. It became one of the most-watched game shows in American TV history. The show has won seven Daytime Emmy Awards. TV Guide also ranked it as one of the greatest game shows ever.
How to Play Millionaire
Game Rules: How to Win Big
The main goal of Millionaire is to answer a series of multiple-choice questions correctly. There are usually fifteen questions (or fourteen from 2010 to 2019). The questions get harder as you go. Each question is worth a certain amount of money.
If a contestant answers a question wrong, the game ends. They might lose all their money or keep a smaller amount. However, a contestant can choose to stop playing at any time. If they walk away, they keep all the money they have won so far.
There are also "safe havens" in the game. If a contestant answers question five and question ten correctly, they are guaranteed to keep at least that amount of money. For example, if they reach question five and then answer a later question wrong, they still keep the money from question five. For celebrity players, the minimum they win for their charity is $10,000.
Game Changes Over Time
The rules of Millionaire have changed a few times.
Original Game Style (1999–2008; 2020–2021)
From 1999 to 2002, ten contestants first played a "Fastest Finger" round. They had to put four answers in the correct order as fast as possible. The quickest person to get it right would play the main game. This round was removed in 2002 but came back for special shows.
The guaranteed money amounts were $1,000 for question five and $32,000 for question ten. For Super Millionaire specials, these amounts were higher: $5,000 and $100,000.
Clock Game (2008–2010)
In 2008, a time limit was added to each question.
- Questions 1–5: 15 seconds
- Questions 6–10: 30 seconds
- Questions 11–14: 45 seconds
- Question 15: 45 seconds, plus any time saved from earlier questions.
The clock started when the answers appeared. If time ran out, the game ended. The contestant kept the money they had won. During this time, contestants also saw the categories for all fifteen questions.
Shuffle Game (2010–2015)
In September 2010, the game changed a lot. It was split into two rounds.
- The first round had ten questions. Each question had a different category and a random money value (from $100 to $25,000). The values were hidden. If a contestant answered correctly, the money was added to their bank. If they skipped a question, that money was removed from play. If they missed a question, they left with $1,000.
- The second round had four questions. These questions got harder and added to the total winnings. If a contestant missed a question in this round, their winnings dropped to $25,000.
Fourteen-Question Game (2015–2019)
With new host Chris Harrison, the game went back to a simpler style. Contestants faced fourteen general knowledge questions. There was no time limit and no information about categories beforehand.
The guaranteed amounts were $5,000 for question five and $50,000 for question ten. If a contestant missed one of the first five questions, they still left with $1,000.
Money You Can Win
Here's how the money values for each question changed over the years:
| Question number |
Question value | ||||
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| 1999–2004; 2020–2021 | 2004–2009 | 2009–2010 | 2010–2015 | 2015–2019 | |
| 1 | $100 | $500 | Random values $100, $500, $1,000, $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $7,000, $10,000, $15,000, and $25,000 |
$500 | |
| 2 | $200 | $1,000 | $1,000 | ||
| 3 | $300 | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||
| 4 | $500 | $3,000 | $3,000 | ||
| 5 | $1,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | ||
| 6 | $2,000 | $7,500 | $7,000 | ||
| 7 | $4,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | ||
| 8 | $8,000 | $12,500 | $20,000 | ||
| 9 | $16,000 | $15,000 | $30,000 | ||
| 10 | $32,000 | $25,000 | $50,000 | ||
| 11 | $64,000 | $50,000 | $100,000 | ||
| 12 | $125,000 | $100,000 | $250,000 | ||
| 13 | $250,000 | $500,000 | |||
| 14 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | |||
| 15 | $1,000,000 | ||||
The $500,000 and $1,000,000 prizes were first paid all at once. Later, they were paid over several years. For example, the $1,000,000 prize was paid as $37,500 per year for 20 years.
Lifelines: Getting Help When You Need It
Contestants can use "lifelines" if a question is too hard. You can use more than one lifeline on a question. But each lifeline can only be used once per game. Some lifelines become available later in the game.
- 50:50 (1999–2008, 2015–2019, 2020–2021): Two wrong answers are removed. This leaves you with the correct answer and one wrong answer.
- Ask the Audience (1999–2019): The audience members vote on what they think is the correct answer. You then see the percentages for each choice.
- Phone a Friend (1999–2010, 2020–2021): You call a friend you chose before the show. You have 30 seconds to talk about the question with them. This lifeline was removed for a while because friends could easily look up answers online. It returned in 2020, with rules to prevent cheating.
- +1 (2014–2019): You can invite a friend from the audience onto the stage to help.
- Ask the Expert (2008–2010): You talk to an expert via video call. They help you think about the question.
- Ask the Host (2020–2021): The host gives you their advice on the question.
- Double Dip (2004, 2008–2010): This lifeline lets you make a second guess if your first answer is wrong. You must use it before your first guess.
- Jump the Question (2010–2015): You can skip the current question. However, you don't win the money for that question. You cannot use this on the million-dollar question.
- Switch/Cut the Question (2004–2008): You can swap the current question for a new one of the same value. This lifeline was earned after answering ten questions.
- Three Wise Men (2004): Used in Super Millionaire, this lifeline gave you 30 seconds of advice from three experts.
In the 2020 season, contestants could also consult with a supporter for the first ten questions. For the last five questions, they could exchange another lifeline to consult with their supporter one more time.
Million-Dollar Winners
Twelve contestants have won the top prize by answering all fifteen questions correctly.
- John Carpenter – The first winner ever in the show's history on November 19, 1999.
- Dan Blonsky – Won on January 18, 2000.
- Joe Trela – Won on March 23, 2000.
- Bob House – Won on June 13, 2000.
- Kim Hunt – Won on July 6, 2000.
- David Goodman – Won on July 11, 2000.
- Kevin Olmstead – Won $2,180,000 on April 10, 2001. This was the biggest prize in TV history at the time.
- Bernie Cullen – Won on April 15, 2001.
- Ed Toutant – Won on September 7, 2001. He was invited back after a question error in his first game.
- Kevin Smith – The first winner on the daily syndicated version, on February 18, 2003.
- Nancy Christy – Won on May 8, 2003. She is the only female top prize winner.
- David Chang – The first celebrity to win $1,000,000 for charity on November 29, 2020.
Other contestants also won at least $1,000,000 without answering all fifteen questions. Robert Essig won $1,000,000 in Super Millionaire in 2004. Sam Murray won $1,000,000 in the "Million Dollar Tournament of Ten" in 2009.
People Behind the Show
The Hosts of Millionaire
Regis Philbin hosted the original ABC version of Millionaire. When the daily syndicated version started, the show needed a new host. They wanted someone who would cheer for the contestants. Meredith Vieira became the host in September 2002. She loved the show and felt it was great for families to watch together.
From 2006 to 2011, Meredith Vieira also hosted another show. So, guest hosts filled in for her. These included Regis Philbin, Al Roker, Tom Bergeron, and Steve Harvey.
Meredith Vieira left the show in 2013. Cedric the Entertainer took over as host. Then, Terry Crews became the host in 2014. Finally, Chris Harrison hosted from 2015 until the show ended in 2019.
When the show returned in 2020, Jimmy Kimmel became the new host. He was also a producer for the show. Regis Philbin visited the new set before he passed away in 2020.
Who Makes the Show?
The U.S. Millionaire was made by 2waytraffic (part of Sony Pictures Television) and Valleycrest Productions (part of The Walt Disney Company). These companies worked together to produce the show. For the 2020 reboot, Embassy Row and Jimmy Kimmel's company, Kimmelot, also joined in.
The show was taped in different cities over the years. It started in New York City (1999–2012). Then it moved to Stamford, Connecticut (2014–2016). Later, it was taped in Las Vegas (2016–2019). The 2020 reboot was filmed in Culver City, California.
How Millionaire Started
In 1998, Michael Davies wanted to create a new game show for ABC. At the time, game shows were not very popular. Davies saw the British version of Millionaire and loved it. He thought it would be a huge hit in America.
ABC executives first said no to his idea. But Davies was determined. He decided to hire a famous host. Many TV personalities were considered, like Peter Jennings and Bob Costas. But Regis Philbin wanted the job the most. When Davies showed ABC that Philbin would host, the network finally agreed. The team then had only five months to get the show ready!
How to Become a Contestant
Most U.S. residents aged 18 or older could try out for Millionaire. People who worked for the show or other game shows were not allowed.
For the original prime-time version, people called a phone number. They answered three questions by putting things in order. The fastest callers who got all answers right were chosen for a drawing. About 300 people then competed for ten spots on the show.
For the daily syndicated version, potential contestants took a written test. It had thirty questions and a ten-minute time limit. If they passed, they had an interview. Those who did well were put into a pool of possible contestants. The show would then call them to appear on an episode. Unlike the ABC version, contestants had to pay for their own travel and hotels.
The show also held open tryouts in different cities. People could come and take the test in person.
The Music of Millionaire
The U.S. Millionaire used the same music as the British version. This music was created by Keith Strachan and Matthew Strachan. The music played almost all the time during the show. It was designed to build tension as the contestant got closer to the top prize. The music was so good that it won many awards.
In 2010, new music was created by Jeff Lippencott and Mark T. Williams. But when the show returned in 2020, the original Strachan music was used again.
The Set Design
The Millionaire set was designed by Andy Walmsley. It looked just like the British version. This design became the most copied TV set design in history! The original U.S. set cost $200,000 to build.
Unlike other game show sets that make you feel relaxed, the Millionaire set was made to make contestants feel a bit nervous. The floor was made of clear material with mirrors underneath. This created a dramatic look.
In the original game, the contestant and host sat in "Hot Seats" in the middle of the stage. These chairs were high and had computer monitors for questions. The lights on the set would get darker as the contestant went further in the game. Spotlights would shine on the contestant during big questions. This made the show feel like a movie thriller.
When the "shuffle format" started in 2010, the Hot Seats were removed. The contestant and host stood at a podium. There were also large video screens to show the questions and money won. In 2012, the set was updated for high-definition TV. It got new, brighter lights and bigger screens.
Show History on TV
ABC Network Shows
The U.S. Millionaire first aired on ABC on August 16, 1999. It was the first U.S. network game show to offer a million-dollar prize. It quickly became very popular. At its peak, it aired five nights a week! Other TV networks even started their own game shows because of Millionaire's success.
The show was incredibly popular, with up to 30 million viewers a day. In the 1999–2000 season, it was the number one show on TV. However, ABC showed it so often that people started to get tired of it. The ratings began to drop. By 2002, ABC decided to cancel the prime-time show. The last episode aired on June 27, 2002.
Daily Syndicated Shows
Even after the ABC show ended, there was still interest in Millionaire. So, a daily syndicated version started on September 16, 2002. This version was sold to different TV stations across the country.
At first, this daily show also had some ratings problems. But it found a good home on ABC-owned stations. For example, in New York, it moved to WABC-TV and became very popular there. This helped the show continue for many years.
In 2015, the show almost got canceled again. The companies involved had a disagreement about how much to pay for the show. They eventually agreed, but the show had to cut its budget. This led to the show moving its filming location to Las Vegas.
The show was renewed until 2019. However, on May 17, 2019, it was announced that Millionaire would be canceled. The final new episode aired on May 31, 2019.
But then, in 2020, the show got another chance! Many TV stations needed new shows. So, reruns of the final season of Millionaire were offered as a replacement. This helped keep the show in the public eye.
On Game Show Network (GSN)
Game Show Network (GSN) started showing reruns of Millionaire in August 2003. They first showed episodes from the original ABC run. Later, they added episodes from the Super Millionaire spin-off and the daily syndicated version. GSN continues to air episodes of the show.
Special Episodes
Millionaire has had many special editions. These often feature celebrities playing for charity. Celebrities like Drew Carey, Rosie O'Donnell, and Anderson Cooper have won large amounts for their chosen charities. David Chang was the first celebrity to win the top prize of $1,000,000 for his charity.
There have also been special weeks with family members playing as a team. Other specials included former winners, contestants who left with no money, and themed weeks for college students or teachers.
Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire?
In 2004, Regis Philbin hosted a special spin-off called Who Wants to Be a Super Millionaire?. In this version, contestants could win up to $10,000,000! The questions were still fifteen, but the money values were much higher. For example, the safe havens were $5,000 and $100,000.
Contestants also earned two extra lifelines after reaching $100,000: "Three Wise Men" and "Double Dip."
10th Anniversary Celebration
To celebrate ten years of Millionaire in the U.S., the show returned to ABC for a special event in August 2009. Regis Philbin hosted it. The movie Slumdog Millionaire and the economy at the time helped bring interest back to the show.
Celebrities also appeared on these shows. They played one question for $50,000 for charity.
| $1,000,000 (15 of 15) – 4:39 time limit | |
| For ordering his favorite beverages on demand, LBJ had four buttons installed in the Oval Office labeled "coffee", "tea", "Coke" and what? | |
| ⬥ A: Fresca | ⬥ B: V8 |
| ⬥ C: Yoo-hoo | ⬥ D: A&W |
| Ken Basin's million dollar question | |
In the finale of the anniversary special, Ken Basin played the $1,000,000 question. He was the first to play it in the "clock format." He had a question about President Lyndon Baines Johnson. Ken used his "Ask the Audience" lifeline, but the audience's advice led him to choose the wrong answer. He lost $475,000.
Million Dollar Tournament of Ten
In 2009, the daily syndicated Millionaire held a "Tournament of Ten." This was to find a new million-dollar winner. Contestants who won the most money during the season qualified for the tournament.
The tournament began on November 9, 2009. Contestants played one at a time. They had to answer a million-dollar question with no lifelines. If they answered correctly, they became the leader. If someone else answered correctly later, they took the lead. The last person to answer correctly won the $1,000,000.
Sam Murray was the first to answer his million-dollar question correctly. He was asked about how many people had lived on Earth. He correctly guessed 100 billion. Sam Murray won the tournament and the million-dollar prize.
2020 Reboot: Celebrities for Charity
A new version of the show started in 2020. Jimmy Kimmel hosted it. This version featured celebrity guests playing for charity. Nine episodes were filmed without an audience because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because there was no audience, the "Ask the Audience" lifeline was removed. A new lifeline, "Ask the Host," was added.
The first season featured celebrities like Eric Stonestreet, Jane Fonda, and Anderson Cooper. The show was so popular that it was renewed for a second season. In the second season, "frontline heroes" also played for the $1,000,000 prize. David Chang became the first celebrity to win the top prize in this reboot.
In January 2022, ABC announced that the reboot was on hold. There are no plans for new episodes right now, but they might make more in the future.
Other Millionaire Fun
Games and Merchandise
Many games based on Millionaire have been released. In 2000, Pressman made two board games. Several video games were also created for computers and PlayStation. These games often featured the voices of the show's hosts, like Regis Philbin and Meredith Vieira.
Later, Ludia made games for Nintendo Wii, DS, and Xbox 360. There was also a Facebook game from 2011 to 2016. This game let you play against other fans and use your Facebook friends as lifelines.
In 2000, an album called Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: The Album was released. It featured songs based on the show's music.
Disney Parks Attraction
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire – Play It! was a fun attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disney California Adventure in California. Both opened in 2001. The California version closed in 2004, and the Florida one closed in 2006.
The attraction was like the TV show. Guests played a "Fastest Finger" question to become the contestant. Instead of money, they won points. The "Phone a Friend" lifeline became "Phone a Complete Stranger," where you could ask a Disney staff member to find a guest to help. Players won collectible lapel pins and other prizes for answering questions correctly.
Streaming Channel
For a short time, ABC launched a streaming channel just for Millionaire. It showed episodes from the 2020 reboot. It was available on the ABC app and ABC.com from January 23 to January 27, 2023.
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See also
In Spanish: Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (concurso estadounidense) para niños
