'Million Dollar Mind Game' Explained

Million Dollar Mind Game is based on the Russian game show What? Where? When?. Teams of six people are challenged to answer questions that require a certain amount of logic, earning money for each correct answer. A richly decorated set combined with contestants and host in formal evening wear create a classy and somewhat dramatic atmosphere for the game.

Host: Vernon Kay
Executive Producers: Roy Bank, Jeff Krask, Brian Veskosky, Jonathan Barry, Alex Reznik
Production Company: Merv Griffin Entertainment
Announcer: Joe Cipriano
Series Premiere: Sunday, October 23, 2011
Network: ABC
Top Prize: $1,000,000

Million Dollar Mind Game is played in groups of six. These contestant teams are made up of people who know each other, either professionally or by a common interest. In each round there is a team captain, and the captain position rotates around the table so each contestant gets the chance to lead his or her team.

There are two "wheels" shown at the beginning of the game: the money wheel and one which shows how many incorrect answers have been given. If a team answers four questions incorrectly, their game is over and they walk away with nothing. Teams can, however, choose to walk with their collected earnings - more on that in a moment.

The money ladder is as follows:

• $6,000
• $12,000
• $24,000
• $48,000
• $72,000
• $120,000
• $210,000
• $360,000
• $600,000
• $1,000,000

There are also three "helps" in play, which can be used at any time up until the final question. Any one of the team members can use one of these helps after the team captain has submitted his or her answer. They include:

• Change the Answer
• Extra 30 Seconds
• Swap the Question

Teams are seated in a circle, and each contestant has a video monitor in front of him of her which displays the questions. They also all have red and green buttons in front of them, to be used to buzz in to use a help and to vote on whether or not to move on in the game or walk away with their current bank. The center of the table lights up when there are 30 seconds remaining, and again when there are 10 seconds left.

Game Play

Teams are given one minute to discuss and answer each question. The team captain submits the team's answer to the host, and then the rest of the team is able to buzz in and use one of the helps if they so choose. When the answer is correct the team moves up the money ladder.

If a team gets an incorrect answer, one of the four spots on their wheel goes dark and they must continue with a new question at their current money level. For example, if they miss the $72,000 question, their next question remains at this value until they get a correct answer or miss their fourth question.

After each round in which a correct answer is given, the team votes on whether to keep going or walk away with their current winnings. The vote must be unanimous - if even one person votes to continue, then the entire team must face the next question.

Black Box Question

One of the special question formats is the Black Box question. A black box is brought out, which contains the object that is the answer to the question. There is a small advantage here, in that the team knows that their answer must be something that will fit inside the box. After the answer is submitted, one team member opens the box to reveal the answer.

The 'Million Dollar Mind Game' Questions

The real draw for this show is the format of the questions. All of them require a certain amount of logic and intuition in order to come up with an answer that truly fits. These questions contain a lot of information, but are cleverly written so that the answers aren't immediately obvious.

A good example of the type of questions you'll find on Million Dollar Mind Game is this one, paraphrased, taken from the premiere episode:

At midnight in 2008, screaming fans paid to view this, which could have been seen twice earlier in the day, for free.

The answer to this question is the opening of the movie Twilight - an actual twilight could have been seen for free that day, once when the sun rose and again when it set.

The Set and Host

The set of Million Dollar Mind Game looks like a high stakes casino, mimicking the atmosphere of the original Russian game. Host Vernon Kay wears a tuxedo, and all of the contestants are dressed formally. The stage is somewhat dark, but without most of the sleek neon lights and stark lines that accent many prime time game shows. This one is richly decorated with deep colors, and viewers can see the other teams who will be playing the game standing behind the table where the current contestants sit.

Vernon Kay, who has also hosted Skating With the Stars and Hit Me Baby One More Time in the United States, is capable and smooth. While his banter with the contestants can tend to eat up valuable game time, he does tend to move the game along without the hype and extra drama that many others would tend towards.

The Future of 'Million Dollar Mind Game'

Million Dollar Mind Game was intended to be a prime time game show, and this is reflected in the overall look and atmosphere of the show. Unfortunately ABC decided to schedule the game on Sundays in the late afternoon, competing against NFL football on other networks. Only six episodes were filmed, and the likelihood of more in the future isn't good. Like other solid game shows before it (think Duel, Million Dollar Money Drop, or The Money List), this show will likely run its course without much hope for renewal. Of course I would love to be wrong about this!