Millionaire My Way

It was just announced that the popular game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" will be returning for an 11-night primetime run on ABC this August. This is overwhelmingly good news (especially since Regis will be hosting again), but one small thing worries me. They say it will combine the old version of the show with the new, syndicated version. Here's my list of what I hope they go with.

1) Get rid of the clock. This is primetime, I want to see people agonize over the questions instead of rushing and making rash decisions.

2) Keep the current graphics. They're pretty sharp, and have that classic Millionaire feel even though they have a new look. Have a gander here and (in video) here.

3) Bring back 50:50. I know why they got rid of it (because they wanted to introduce the Double Dip), but people know and are familiar with the 50:50. Additionally, it is the only Lifeline ever that was guaranteed to give useful information. All the others are either asking others for their opinions (which could very well be wrong) or taking multiple stabs at the question with a drawback attached. I miss the 50:50, and I want it back on the primetime show.

4) Keep the new Category Menu. We haven't seen much strategic use of it yet in the syndicated version, but I think that's largely thanks to the clock. If (like I hope) the contestants are free from the strains of the clock, then we may see someone decide to gamble on a question because they know the next question will be about an area that they are comfortable with.

5) Bring back the Fastest Finger question. This was always an exciting part of the show (even if I suck at it), and really gave the viewer confidence that the contestant earned his or her spot in the Hot Seat.

6) Lifelines...oh, the Lifelines. In a perfect world, there would only be the original three Lifelines. However, I'd be fine if they brought in either Ask the Expert, Three Wise Men, or Switch the Question as a fourth Lifeline. No Double Dip, please. I've never actually been a fan of that Lifeline since it forces you to answer the question, and if it's in play at the same time as the 50:50, you can use it to force a correct answer. I'd rather have the contestants answer the questions on their own and not use the 50:50-Double Dip combo.

7) Bring back the original money tree, or use an inflated money tree. I'm sorry, but $25,000 is not going to cut it as the second milestone in primetime. Someone posted a potential money tree on Wikipedia, and this one doesn't look too bad. The only flaw here is that if you miss the $1 million question, you lose EVERYTHING. Just make it $175,000 like the $750,000 question and you're in business.

8) Keep the current music, but only if the current graphics are there. They just go together better, I think.

9) Allow me to be a contestant on the show.

So that's my formula for Millionaire success this August. I know I'll be watching on August 9. Will you?

As for now, I will leave you with one of the funniest quotes I have ever heard, from British comic Mark Steel:
"I love the 'Thought for the Day' that comes on the radio in the mornings at Christmas season. 'Cause they all do whatever's on that day's news, then just crowbar Jesus in somehow. So they have some vicar saying something: 'As the continuing row about A-level testing seems to ramble on and on and on, isn't that a little bit like Jesus? But although Jesus didn't have to do A-levels, he certainly did have to do tests. When he went into the wilderness, wasn't that God's way of saying, "You may turn over your papers and begin now"?'"

Everybody sleep well and have fun!