# Here's a stupid question: Can there ever be a "Joe Millionaire II"? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 31, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776 "2003-01-31T01:33:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vinnie\_Virginslayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/53a042/32.png) [@Vinnie\_Virginslayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vinnie_Virginslayer)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/1 "2003-01-31T01:33:12Z")
Okay this might seem like a stupid question, and perhaps it is, since the next time a bunch of gold-digging wenches are booked on a dating game with a millionaire hunk or a prince or something, they immediately are going to think: WAaaaaaaaaaaaait! I saw this on FOX! THIS DUDE IS EITHER ON WELFARE, HAS AIDS, OR IS A TRANSVESTITE! But is there any conceivable way Fox can ride the Joe Millionaire horse one more time? I mean, it’s a ratings and publicity monster. Maybe you hire a dude (or, it can be a chick too) with a deep dark secret, but the marks already know there is a secret . . . but see, I don’t think they would pursue the main character as strongly. Unless Fox already taped several Joe Millionaires? Has a few of them in the can?😕 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/2 "2003-01-31T01:37:28Z")
Who is Joe Millionaire? ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/3 "2003-01-31T01:44:35Z")
**Moderator’s Note:** Off to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d07c76/32.png) [@Age\_Quod\_Agis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Age_Quod_Agis)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/4 "2003-01-31T01:45:50Z")
[This website](http://www.teevee.org/archive/2003/01/22/index.html) has already posted an article giving a couple of (joking) examples of ways that Fox could bring back the Joe Millionaire concept. [This page](http://www.teevee.org/archive/weblog/) also has a little blurb that includes another suggestion (although the link might not work forever). The articles are from [teevee.org](http://teevee.org), which is a website with tongue-in-cheek television critics (light on critical analysis, heavy on criticism). I think it’s pretty dang hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/5 "2003-01-31T01:52:04Z")
Well, it depends what the twist is. I think the joke is on the audience, really, and I can’t wait to find out what it is. You’re right in that all reality-type shows now will have the possibility of a twist in them. But the contestants seem to be in it for the publicity more than anything, so I don’t think the there will ever be a lack of contestants. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/6 "2003-01-31T02:49:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > \*\*Well, it depends what the twist is. I think the joke is on the audience, really, and I can’t wait to find out what it is. > > \*\* I’ve thought this for a couple of weeks now too. I think this guy’s got some secret he’s hiding from the viewing public. I haven’t really watched the show (I’m only planning on watching the finale), but from what I’ve seen in promos, this guy is a little too cut to be a $17,000-a-year construction worker. :dubious: And besides, with his modelesque looks, do you really think he’ll only be making $17,000 a year once this thing is over? I think it would’ve been more interesting if they had picked a 40 year-old, overweight, bald, hairy construction worker, and done the show with him instead. But of course we all know, when the woman he picks realizes this gorgeous guy with the chiseled body only “makes $17,000 a year in construction,” and will probably be getting loads of modeling and/or acting gigs in the near future…she’s gonna be _pissed._ :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/7 "2003-01-31T03:15:13Z")
I read an article the other day about how FOX programmers are kicking themselves for not filming two series at the same time in case the show worked out. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/8 "2003-01-31T03:25:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Age Quod Agis \* > **[This website](http://www.teevee.org/archive/2003/01/22/index.html) has already posted an article giving a couple of (joking) examples of ways that Fox could bring back the Joe Millionaire concept. [This page](http://www.teevee.org/archive/weblog/) also has a little blurb that includes another suggestion (although the link might not work forever).** Not to mention the suggestions in [this earlier Cafe Society thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=154848#post2816140). (“Joe HIV Negative”. Heh.) ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/9 "2003-01-31T14:17:32Z")
My only guess is that Fox is gonna give him a boatload of money at the end. Joe:“Hey, I’m not really a millionaire” Gold digger:“Oh, you shithead!” Fox:[brings barrels of cash] “You are now!” Gold digger: “I mean… sweetheart.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/10 "2003-01-31T14:44:37Z")
First, the guy is already a model. He’s done some modelling and only works construction to supplement his income. He might actually be a millionaire. Second, does anybody know what the stated terms are for whoever “wins”? Is it just that he’s going to use a process of elimination to figure out which shallow, gold-digging bimbo he’d like to date, or is there a monetary prize? Third, the survivors of each round of the game have gotten some pretty expensive jewelry–the ones who’ve made it to the final rounds are probably into five figures, which could be sold on Ebay for beaucoup bucks purely for the collector’s value. Fourth, in order for them to do a second one, they’d have to find another 20 greedy, vain, good-looking, naive and/or dumb women. Do you think that’s going to be hard? So long as there are people who think that WWF Wrestling and Jerry Springer are real, there will be people willing to go on Joe Millionaire XIV. ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/11 "2003-01-31T16:32:23Z")
My guess is they will give the guy a million bucks in the end. That way FOX can come off looking like the good guy and a million bucks is nothing to a popular network show these days. And yes, given the intelligence of the girls on these shows they will be able to run this show ad infinitum without them ever catching on. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/12 "2003-01-31T16:44:12Z")
Yep. The next batch will be thinking, “Okay, Joe I wasn’t really a millionaire, so they’re going to psych us out this time, and he really _is_ a millionaire! Whee! [giggle]” :smack: ---
**Author:** ![MSU\_1978](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ac8455/32.png) [@MSU\_1978](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MSU_1978)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/13 "2003-01-31T17:44:54Z")
I thought Jay Leno pointed out the planned FOX sequel to Joe Millionaire was to come after the girls find out he makes $19K- to be called “When Whores Attack.” ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/14 "2003-01-31T17:55:28Z")
Not if there’s a God. Given, however, “Man vs. Beast” and the rest of Fox dreck, I’d say the proof is pretty conclusive. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Legomancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@Legomancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legomancer)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/15 "2003-01-31T18:01:27Z")
How about “Moe Jillionaire”? ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/16 "2003-01-31T19:01:34Z")
I’ve thought of an interesting twist on the concept – have, say, 5 or 6 guys but have only one actual millionaire. The women would then have to find ways to discern who is the true millionaire. The faux millionaires would need to well-trained in skills that would help them fake wealth, kinda like Evan Marriot but a little more convincing. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/17 "2003-01-31T19:03:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > \*\*Third, the survivors of each round of the game have gotten some pretty expensive jewelry–the ones who’ve made it to the final rounds are probably into five figures, which could be sold on Ebay for beaucoup bucks purely for the collector’s value. \*\* We really don’t know how expensive the jewelry is. The stones could be poor quality or even fake. Heck, I got my pearls at Macy’s on sale for 99 bucks. ---
**Author:** ![B.Serum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/b.serum/32/14266_2.png) [@B.Serum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/B.Serum)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/18 "2003-01-31T19:13:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ethilrist \* > **First, the guy is already a model. He’s done some modelling and only works construction to supplement his income. He might actually be a millionaire.** You clearly don’t know know very many models. 99% of models have a very modest income and it is normal for them to supplement their income with a regular job that is flexible enough for them to take off work when a gig comes along. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2003, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/19 "2003-01-31T19:28:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bordelond \* > \*\*… The faux millionaires would need to well-trained in skills that would help them fake wealth, kinda like Evan Marriot but a little more convincing. \*\* That’s something I didn’t understand… Evan was supposed to have inherited the $50 million recently, and he wasn’t that wealthy before. Why did they feel the need for him to be able to pass himself off as a jetsetting playboy? Also, the women on the show weren’t that sophisticated–they shouldn’t be able to tell that he’s making it up as he’s going along, which I guess is a good thing, considering how bad an actor the guy is… ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2003, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776/20 "2003-02-01T03:05:08Z")
I wondered that too. They gave a backstory explaining he’d inherited the money 2 years ago - why not just say he inherited it a month ago? It would explain why he didn’t have plans for the money yet, any “unsophisticated” traits he had, etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-stupid-question-can-there-ever-be-a-joe-millionaire-ii/151776.md?page=2)