Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

....great EVERYTHING!! Regis Philbin does a simply fantastic job as the host of this outstanding game show series. The set is perfect,even the music is stirring and dramatic. I wish ABC would keep this show on as a regular series--they would make a killing in the Nielsens. Don't bother with other networks trying to copy Millionaire's success....this is the one and only one to watch. Period. That is my final answer......



(As of 11/20/1999) 4 out of 4 stars

When Chris Tarrant first came on and said the famous line "Lets play who wants to be a millionaire" I and a lot of other people knew this was going to be a great show. . It gives away so much money and is very entertaining and fun to play along with at home. No wonder it was only a year or two before the Americans decided to ask permission to make their own version of the show (like they did with Pop Idol (American Idol). . It is a great show and if u haven't seen or heard about it yet then u obviously don't have a TV. This is a great show and I don't know how many countries make their own version. ITV (British TV Channel) must be rolling in it after creating this masterpiece.

This show was a break out hit. It created a whole new category for TV network execs to exploit and finally destroy. It was a successful prime time game show which hadn't happened in quite a long time.

Regis Philbin is uniquely responsible for its success. Sure they had the bright lights, the tense music, the flash and the sizzle. But it's Regis' intensity that drives the whole thing. The concept is simple. Contestants answer trivia questions. Each one gets harder and the money gets larger. There are a few helps. It's simplicity is part of the charm. Although Regis left the show, others have tried to resurrect it. It was running out of steam anyways. After its newness wore off, it's just not much to watch especially without Regis.

So, you want to be a millionaire? Have you got what it takes? I have to say that some of the questions before the 1000 dollar level are very easy. But I can imagine that the pressure is unbearable when you get into that hot seat. Regis with his wicked smile, the audience and all that staring. It's enough to drive a person bonkers. Overall, the show is addictive. You watch it at home so you can feel smarter than the contestant especially when they don't know the answer. It's thrilling and it looks like Regis has his hands full for a while.

BEING THAT TIMING is everything in Life, this quiz show series surely must have a perfect sense of it. Bowing on the ABC TV Network on Sundays (we think), it started out like the proverbial "Ball o' Fire" and quickly gained momentum. In a silent testimony to its power and unexpected success, prime-time quiz game money giveaway $how$ made quick appearances on CBS, NBC and FOX Networks all.

THE SHOW'S APPEAL and popularity were no haphazard case of dumb luck. It is obvious that careful planning and calculation went into the program's format, content and overall appearance of this production. No element was overlooked.

FIRST OF ALL, we see the framing of the appearance on the TV screens done up on a grand scale. Rather than having contestants appearing side by side with the MC/Quizmaster, the competitors are put into a sort of 'Roman Coliseum' arena of variable and sweeping beams of concentrated lighting. Much in the same manner of the Gladiatorial combatants, the challenger meets his foe (Quizmaster) face to face.

IN ADDITION TO this careful, micro-management of the lighting, we have both the obvious and subtle use of computer controlled recorded music. There is both incidental musical queues and the constant deployment of background mood manipulating instrumental and vocal soundtrack. Mood and "excitement" were very closely manipulated in this manner.

THE WORD THAT we are looking for is "Subliminal"; as the soundtrack quietly added the element of the dramatic and elevated our anticipation of excitement in this way.

EMPLOYMENT OF THE direction of the show rendered its overall running time and the highly dramatic pacing of the proceedings is done up to the maximum. Use of friendly chit-chat (interviews) with guests and timing of segments with stopwatch precision allows the padding out of the show to a full hour; where all ceremonies could probably be said and done within the confines of the 30 minute show limit.

CAPPING OFF THE totality of this late 20th & early 21st Century mega-hit was the ascent of Regis Philbin to the Throne of Ruling Potentate and overseer of all proceedings of the day. The highly durable Mr. Philbin was the perfect man for this position. Witty, energetic and always in control, he also possessed a genuine liking of the people who came to compete.

FOR SOME MONTHS after its initial show hit the airwaves, WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE was number one with the public. It was the topic of discussion around the old water cooler at many a break time.

BUT THEN, AS it seems much like all other "sensations" of the small screen, the novelty wore off. But this original, prime-time series ran from 1999-2002, or a healthy and respectable three seasons.

IT WAS FOLLOWED by the syndicated half hour version that went from 2003 until the present.