The new lifelines are Double Dip, which allows a contestant to answer the question twice, and Ask the Expert, which is similar to the Phone a Friend lifeline. These replace 50:50 and Switch the Question. The Millionaire Menu shows contestants and viewers the categories of upcoming questions.
The biggest change though is the addition of the timer. Now, contestants have 15 seconds to answer the first five questions, 30 seconds for questions six through ten, and 45 seconds for the next four. The million dollar question has a time allowance of 45 seconds, but any time that was unused throughout the rest of the game can be banked and applied to that final question.
Prior to yesterday's show, I was apprehensive about the timer, and I thought Ask the Expert was a little too similar to Phone a Friend to work as a distinct lifeline. I'm happy to say that I was wrong, and that everything seems to work very well together. The new look and the Millionaire Menu make things fresh, and the lifelines were different enough to not be confusing. Host Meredith Vieira had to spend what seemed like a lot of time explaining things, but that will wear off as the changes become more familiar. The timer didn't seem to affect the speed of the game play much at all, at least during this first new game. But I can foresee contestants wanting to rush through the first few questions to bank time for the endgame, which could have some interesting results. Vieira could be cut off while reading the questions, contestants could rush and make mistakes that they wouldn't otherwise make - there are lots of imaginable scenarios here.
Overall, the game is still the one we've been watching since Regis Philbin made it a prime time hit. But there are enough new elements to keep things interesting and prevent the game from getting too stale.
Comments
I was actually a contestant on Millionaire, and I had to face the clock. I really, really wish they hadn’t added that clock. I like the new life lines and the new graphics but the clock really contributed to my failing while on the show and only leaving with 1000 dollars instead of 16,000 like I know I could of gotten if I wasn’t pressured to make a decision so fast
jason that totally sucks especially when you see a slumdog doing so well
I posted this somewhere else, but there is now a Facebook page for “MIllionaire” fans… there are also some past contestants & winners who have joined:
http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ab-gameshow&tid=53
Not only is the timer addition an annoying “invention” of the show, the timer is too short for each phase. Another example of well-to-do rich “execs” making “decisions” when they could care less about the outcome or public opinion. We’re in an age of corporate arrogance.
I especially like the timer. I always felt the contestants mutterings were either stalling tactics or just self-serving wastes of time. It keeps the game moving now. I also like the fact that the prize levels do the same.
Should give back the 4th lifeline. After contestant gets to $25,000 the lifeline should be ? allowing the person to choose any of the former lifeline – audience, expert or double-dip.
I love this show
i notice that when you have famous people on playing for their charity, the questions are much easier than when regular, non famous people are on…..i’m not trying to be critical, but it is noticeable… at least to me. i do enjoy your show and wish it was on for an hour!