| One of the most successful, long running, and globally | | | | had they been in the hot seat themselves. When |
| known game shows became popular in the late 1990's. | | | | payouts over $2,000,000 are given away- it's always |
| This game show was called Who Wants to Be a | | | | nice to see how much a little trivia knowledge can take |
| Millionaire. The series has accredited its success to the | | | | you. |
| natural attraction the general public has with | | | | In 2001, the game show was at a loss for $1,000,000 |
| trivia-based game shows, as well as the prospect of | | | | winners. To keep the game interesting producers |
| high payouts for winners. | | | | offered to add $10,000 to a jackpot every time an |
| Some of the Best Worst Moments for Contestants | | | | episode was shown without a $1,000,000 winner. |
| Who Wants to Be a Millionaire works on the simple | | | | Interestingly enough, it took over 100 shows for the |
| idea that as contestants answer questions correctly, | | | | jackpot to be had. It was finally obtained by Kevin |
| they gain more money with each question. The | | | | Olmstead. |
| ultimate goal is to reach a million dollars, although not | | | | How much did Olmstead take home? For the biggest |
| too many have been able to achieve this. | | | | payout in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire history, Kevin |
| Some of the best moments of embarrassing | | | | took an impressive $2.18 million. Given, this sum would |
| moments come from those who don't answer the first | | | | be drastically smaller after taxes, but even then it |
| question correctly and earn a total of $0. This | | | | would remain to be one of the biggest payouts in |
| occurrence is quite rare, as the first question is | | | | game show history. |
| generally seen as something elementary students | | | | In a spin-off of the original series, Who Wants to Be a |
| could answer. | | | | Super Millionaire was released- with a grand prize of |
| Chase Sampson from Tennessee is an example of | | | | $10,000,000. This sum was reported to be the largest |
| one such contestant. For the question, Homeowners | | | | award given in any game show ever created. Sadly, |
| buy surge protectors to protect their possessions from | | | | no one was able to take the challenge. In fact, the |
| unexpected surges of what as an answer, Chase | | | | biggest prize achieved through this spin-off was the |
| blurts out water flow follow by final answer, only to | | | | usual $1,000,000 awarded to Robert Essig. |
| realize seconds later of his hasty mistake. | | | | Final Thoughts on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire |
| One other case occurred with Paul Galm, who got the | | | | Try as they might, network producers can't keep the |
| question Which of these phrases is a common way of | | | | same show running indefinitely. The series was bound |
| saying I can't take it anymore! Much like Chase, Paul | | | | to drift into the abyss of daytime reruns. But for a long |
| hastily answered That's the last stick only to realize | | | | stretch of time, trivia fanatics around the world |
| milliseconds later that he had made a huge mistake- | | | | recognized the show as a popular culture icon- |
| and walked home with $0. | | | | especially for them It's unknown as to whether the |
| The Biggest Payout in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | | | | once great show can be brought back from the dead- |
| History | | | | but for the sake of jaw-dropping (or embarrassing) |
| Trivia fanatics like to watch Who Wants to Be a | | | | winnings, we sure wouldn't mind a new spin on an old |
| Millionaire to see how they would fare in a game show, | | | | game! |