Million Dollar Money Drop is an American adaptation of the successful British game show Million Pound Drop. The show premiered on the FOX network on December 20, 2010, as a four-episode holiday program, with a full series premiering January 4, 2011.
Game Overview
The game is comprised of a series of seven multiple-choice trivia questions. Contestants play in pairs of two with existing relationships - usually family members or couples. These pairs are given one million dollars in cash to start off the game.
Before each question, contestants are given a choice of two categories on which their question will be based. Answers to the trivia questions are placed above a series of "drops." Contestants must place piles of cash on the answers they believe to be correct, leaving at least one answer empty in each round. Trap doors above each drop open up for incorrect answers, and whatever cash is remaining on the correct one remains in play.
Contestants must play the entire game of seven questions, assuming they have money remaining after each round. There is no option to walk away at any point in the game. Whatever cash remains after the final question is theirs to keep.
The Host
The host of Million Dollar Money Drop is actor and comedian Kevin Pollak. Pollak also hosted the unaired game show Our Little Genius, which was pulled from FOX's schedule when allegations of cheating were made.
Number of Drops In Play
As with most game shows, the questions on Million Dollar Money Drop become more difficult as the game plays out. Contestants are also challenged by fewer answer options as the game progresses. For example:
- Question One: Four drops
- Question Two: Four drops
- Question Three: Four drops
- Question Four: Three drops
- Question Five: Three drops
- Question Six: Three drops
- Question Seven: Two drops
If contestants make it to the last question, they must place all of their remaining money on the answer they believe to be correct. If they are wrong, they walk away with nothing.
Game Controversy
Million Dollar Money Drop ran into controversy after its very first episode. Contestants Gabe Okoye and Brittany Mayt reached their fifth question with $880,000 still in play. Their question asked which product was available in stores first, with three possible answers:
- Post-It Notes
- Sony Walkman
- Mac computer
The couple placed $800,000 on Post-It Notes and $80,000 on the Walkman. Both the Mac computer and Post-It doors dropped, leaving them with $80,000 in play. They ended up losing their remaining money on the next two questions and left with nothing.
Viewers did a little research and discovered that Post-Its were available in stores as early as 1977, with the Walkman being introduced in 1979. Post-Its were only available in four states as test markets, and were sold under the name "Press and Peel." Executive producer Jeff Apploff issues a statement that claimed his researchers got their information directly from the manufacturer, and he stood by their answer.
A few days later, however, Apploff recanted his statement and offered Okoye and Mayt another chance at the game.
Future of the Game and Contestant Casting
Most new game shows film an entire first season before beginning to air, and Money Drop is no exception. The first four-episode run of the show didn't bring in stellar ratings for the FOX network, but the complete series is slated to begin in January 2011. A second full season will depend on how viewers respond to this run.
If it does well, you can expect another season of Million Dollar Money Drop to begin filming. At that time, contestant casting information will be available.
