TVSquad

Sheesh. Why must Americans mess with the perfect format? The original UK show has barely changed (apart from new musical cues and a faster ascension of prize money). It still has the same host, too. All tweaks to the format regarding life-lines were always dropped. It's the perfect gameshow.

The only reason the US version has to keep messing with perfection is because, as usual, the network flogged the show to death. As they do most quiz shows. Why run them into the ground and force yourself to make stupid changes to the format just to keep it "fresh"? The US TV system really bothers me when it comes to gameshow like this.

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I think if they get rid of anything it should be that stupid clock. I liked having the time to think out an answer, especially when the 15 second easy ones seem a bit tricky and you start second-guessing. I'd say keep the phone a friend and dump the so-called expert who, really, is more a pseudo-celebrity who's only expertise is self promotion.

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I agree that it always seemed useless with that tight timing. The person could barely read the question, and their friend always seemed to be TOTALLY unprepared - they never sounded like they were listening the first time the contestant read the question or writing things down, so they'd ask for them to repeat it and it's like...you don't have time to repeat the question. The friends always sounded like dumb idiots, which is hard not to, when you get a surprise call and have to answer a question via phone in 30 seconds.

I always pictured those friends sitting in front of Google, if they were smart. Maybe instead of a tight :30 timeline, they could, I don't know, send someone from the show to make sure they're not looking up the answer and give them a minute. I always that that :30 was so they couldn't look up the answer, but it's not even enough time to think. It's a very cool concept that needs tweaking, but not getting rid of all together.

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i haven't watched millionaire since 2002 or 2003...

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Having been on the show, and used "Phone A Friend", I can tell you from experience that it's the combination of contestant and friend that causes losses every time.

Also keep in mind, they had very specific rules regarding who you could call and when -- A) it had to be a land line, b) the people had to be "on call" for a 6 hour period (since contestants aren't informed when or if they're going on the show when they arrive at the taping (and often not even when they get to the stage, the phone-a-friends are required to be available for the entire 8 hr taping period).

Most importantly, there are (were) no rules about looking something up online on the receiving end. My friend and I drilled for three hours straight the night before. Consequently, we were the only people to get the question right. JPN, you're right about the time limit, but remember also, there's question delivery time and look-up response time to factor in as well. By drilling as much as we did, I felt confident going into the day that he could look it up an give it back within 30 seconds (it also helped that we were limited to a general theme, that could easily be googled.)

Everyone else in my week got their question wrong, and I think most of it had to do with poor recipient choice. Two didn't know, one got cut off, and the final one gave the WRONG answer.

Phone a friend was a useful trick, but you had to be smart enough how to use it. I did, and it served me to the tune of $25,000.

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They're obviously doing away with it because they know, if a contestant is smart, they'll be phoning someone who's equally smart enough to be able to look up the answer in 30 seconds. It just kills me when contestants don't know enough to do this. The smart contestant knows how to ask the question to make the google search easier. But, this is surely the reason, they're eliminating that option now.

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Thanks again for the link, Bob. Our upgrade is over and the site is restored.

http://buzzerblog.flashgameshows.com/phone-a-friend-lifeline-removed-from-millionaire/

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WHY DIDN'T THE PHONE-A FRIENDS HAVE A COMPUTER AT HAND TO TYPE IN KEY WORDS TO FIND THE ANSWER???? OR HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ON SPEAKERPHONE??

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I liked the show the way it WAS...phone a friend...50-50...
ask the audience...and they've changed the dollar amounts so many times now that it barely resembles the original show other than the set. Again, the networks can never seem to learn, if it ain't broke then don't fix it!

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I am going to miss "phone-a-friend" As a matter of fact, I'm going to make it a point to MISS the entire program!!!

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...And, what about that dramatic loud music beat at the very start of the phone-a-friend conversation time, that further interferes with the time element, as it impedes clear communication between the contestant and recipient for a further split second of time already scarce ??

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What they need to get rid of is that stupid "final answer"? Just make them give an answer and have to stick with it. It is SO annoying. They also give them way too much time, it impedes the momentum of the show when they just sit there mulling over which answer is correct. Then when they do finally give an answer, you've got to listen to "final answer"? I gave up on this show long ago because of this, it's just too irritating.

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My favorite moment of all time on this show was when the very first Million Dollar winner called his dad one the final question to say "I don't need your help, I just wanted to tell you I am about to win a million dollars"

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Phone-A-Friend was one of the most iconic aspects of Millionaire, like buying a vowel on Wheel of Fortune. It also added to the "reality" aspect of the show by getting contestants' family members involved. So what if it rarely worked; it was a big part of what defined the show. They are making a mistake by eliminating it.

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Have to be a fan of the show to care. As I am not, I don't. Only way I would watch i if a relative of mine was a contestant. I do like the idea of a computer link. That wuldnot give the peole on the link any chance to misundstand the question.

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I hate that timing. It used to be fun to watch them try to figure out te answer. It was relaxing. Now I find myself all up tight watching the clock. Leave phone a friend and axe the annoying clock! :(

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This show tanked as soon as Regis left. I didn't even know it was still on. Talk about messing with success.

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