# Stupid fucking morons on "Millionaire" **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 21, 2000, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228 "2000-01-21T16:10:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2000, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/41 "2000-01-22T19:45:00Z")
You’ve watched this show for a week or more? Sheesh! I could barely stand the 10 minutes of it I saw of one episode. Couldn’t force myself to watch any more than that. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2000, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/42 "2000-01-22T20:15:00Z")
How would one go about getting Cecil as a lifeline ? Cecil !! Hey Cecill !! Lifeline buddy ? Far as i know, no one has this guys phone number handy. Oh yeah and Rosie O’Donnell wants to be someones lifeline - not bloody likely. * * * “Solos Dios basta” . . . but a little pizza won’t hurt. ---
**Author:** ![mellonhead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e19adc/32.png) [@mellonhead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mellonhead)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/43 "2000-01-23T00:20:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Krispy Original: > \*\*milroyj, > > The contestant replied “blackbird”…the correct answer was “plum” > > \*\* You gotta be kidding me! And I thought the woman who didn’t know which Baldwin wasn’t an actor was dumb. ---
**Author:** ![Pariah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@Pariah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pariah)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/44 "2000-01-23T01:22:00Z")
Gabriel said: > [@](#): > > How would one go about getting Cecil as a lifeline ? Cecil !! Hey Cecill !! Lifeline buddy ? Far as i know, no one has this guys phone number handy. Oh yeah and Rosie O’Donnell wants to be someones lifeline - not bloody likely. Haven’t you seen the show? Just say, “Cecil” and AT&T will find him for you, no questions asked! And they’ll do that with Rosie, too! That’s why, when I go on, I’m gonna say “Anthony Hopkins.” Or just “Anthony,” and voila! 30 seconds with _Anthony freakin’ Hopkins!!!_ Heck, you don’t even have to _own a phone!!!_ ---
**Author:** ![jab1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ee7513/32.png) [@jab1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jab1)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/45 "2000-01-23T01:38:00Z")
That’s another clue that the show is edited. They obviously already have the full name and number of the person you want to call. We don’t see them get that information, just the results of getting it. * * * \>\< DARWIN \> \_\_ **L\_\_\_L** ---
**Author:** ![Pariah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/41988e/32.png) [@Pariah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pariah)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 8:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/46 "2000-01-23T08:12:00Z")
NO!!! AT&T just KNOWS!!! Like if I say, “that guy,” they can even find HIM!!! It’s TRUE!!! AAAAIIIIIIGHHGHHGHHGH!!! (It’s all Dick Clark’s fault.) ---
**Author:** ![PITA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@PITA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PITA)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/47 "2000-01-23T11:02:00Z")
Actually, they ask you two days in advance for the people you would call for lifelines. My brother almost made it onto the show- he was cut in the last “test”- he claims that they must’ve needed more women on the show so all of questions were “girlie”- they asked him about “Charlie’s Angels” and some soap opera trivia. THAT’s how they get morons on the show. Not saying that my brother’s not a moron… They asked him to give him the names and numbers of 5 potential lifelines, and those lucky few of us needed to be by the phone at a set time during the day. They call you before the show even starts to have you waiting. Don’t underestimate Regis! Yes, I almost was a lifeline. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/48 "2000-01-23T16:43:00Z")
Why does Regis have to say that “Our friends at AT&T will find this person for you” (in reference to the lifeline). (Note that a lifeline has to be in the U.S.) This mention of AT&T is a plug for that company (i.e, an advertisement). That’s understandable, but usually a plug like that on a hit show would be considered to be worth several tens of thousands of dollars of advertising. Most of the time a show like _Millionaire_ would require services equivalent in value to tens of thousands of dollars in payment for such plugs. When a show mentions the hotel that the contestants stayed at or the airline that they traveled on, that’s always a quid pro quo. The show has plugged the hotel or airline in exchange for several free nights or several free rides. But there are only about five calls per show, and those are short calls. AT&T has given perhaps $20 worth of service in exchange for a free plug. Why would the show agree to such a bad trade? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/49 "2000-01-23T16:51:00Z")
Wendell Wagner: This is just a guess, but it could be that the production company as a whole, not just the show, enjoys some benefit from the AT&T plugs. While the show itself only makes a few calls on air, there are probably hundreds of calls a week made by the production company and its staff. ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/50 "2000-01-23T17:01:00Z")
WW said: > [@](#): > > That’s understandable, but usually a plug like that on a hit show would be considered to be worth several tens of thousands of dollars of advertising. And how do you know that they don’t get paid several tens of thousands of dollars for such an advertisement? ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/51 "2000-01-23T17:39:00Z")
Libertarian and David B, Those are both reasonable guesses. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/52 "2000-01-23T19:03:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by APB9999: > I don’t consider myself exceptionally stupid, but I had never heard of “Duck, Duck, Goose” until it became a byword for how stupid the contestants on _Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?_ are. I gather from the context that it’s some sort of kid’s game. We sure never played it in my neighborhood; why does that make us stupid? ## WHAT!? You’ve never heard of Duck, Duck, Goose? What, did you go to some kind of commie-pinko chimpanzee school or something? FREAK!!! Quick, someone put APB in isolation before anyone gets contaminated!!! – Teeming Millions: [http://fathom.org/teemingmillions](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions) “Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/53 "2000-01-23T19:08:00Z")
I thought when you mixed blue and yellow that you got a rift in the space-time continuum… * * * – Teeming Millions: [http://fathom.org/teemingmillions](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions) “Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/54 "2000-01-23T20:24:00Z")
That wasn’t one of the choices. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2000, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/55 "2000-01-23T21:48:00Z")
Pariah posted: > [@](#): > > 2.) I had no idea that Mia Farrow was the first person to grace the cover of People magazine. Anyone here know that one? I did! I did! If the guy had used me as his lifeline, he wouldn’t have even needed to waste precious seconds giving me the possible choices. I’d have answered immediately after hearing the question. Woo Hoo - where’s my million bucks?!! And FWIW, that wasn’t just a cheesy _Millionaire_ question. I’ve seen that question in some variation or another on _Jeopardy!_ as well. In fact, I’m pretty sure that’s how I first learned the answer. I haven’t been to the website since last Summer, but what’s really a hoot is how the morons on their message board will argue with each other on what the right answers should have been, or how confusing the questions were. They really debate this stuff as if there were any doubt! * * * “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank ---
**Author:** ![David\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/51bf81/32.png) [@David\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_B)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2000, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/56 "2000-01-24T03:54:00Z")
Ok, I tuned in late tonight and saw a guy who ended up quitting after the $500,000 question (he didn’t know the $1 million answer and rather than guess, dropped out). I didn’t see the beginning and was wondering who the guy was sitting in the relationship chair (or whatever the heck they call it). I couldn’t figure out if it was his brother or his, well, significant other. If it was the latter, I’m thinking that’s probably the first time in gameshow history they’ve had an openly gay relationship shown. Just thought it was interesting if WWTBAM made gameshow history like that. ---
**Author:** ![PITA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@PITA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PITA)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2000, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/57 "2000-01-24T04:10:00Z")
No, didn’t watch it long enough to see him. Got too annoyed by the yahoo they had on before him. He gave Regis a run for his money on the “how long can I drag out this answer to keep a few million mouth breathing couch potatos in suspense” game. ---
**Author:** ![disreputable\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@disreputable\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/disreputable_1)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2000, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/58 "2000-01-24T04:24:00Z")
My rant against the show’s contestants has nothing to do with their general lack of competence. What infuriates me is their selfishness. As you know, those waiting on the sidelines have until the end of the particular show to get in with Regis or they’re gone. So they have a vested interest in things moving along at a brisk pace. However, they must endure the previous speed round winner discuss his or her thought processes on answering the given question, no matter how trivial. I just find myself screaming “just answer the #&\*%$# question you selfish lout”. I can only imagine what those waiting to play must be thinking. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2000, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/59 "2000-01-24T04:42:00Z")
I agree with you completely D but the last word I use is not _lout_. The first 5 or 6 question go quickly then the B.S starts with each answer: Well, Regis, I never took any science classes at Harvard, but my girlfriends cousin was over one night and we talked about So. America soooooo, I’m going to say C…the 3 toed sloth. I did consider the titmouse. but no I’m going to stick with the 3 toed sloth C. Is that your final ansuh? Yes, thats my final ansuh. YOUR RIGHT!!! YOU HAVE JUST WON 2000 DOLLARS…ad nauseum * * * I am therefor I be ---
**Author:** ![G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c67d28/32.png) [@G.B.H.Hornswoggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G.B.H.Hornswoggler)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2000, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228/60 "2000-01-25T06:19:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by David B: > \*\*Ok, I tuned in late tonight and saw a guy who ended up quitting after the $500,000 question (he didn’t know the $1 million answer and rather than guess, dropped out). I didn’t see the beginning and was wondering who the guy was sitting in the relationship chair (or whatever the heck they call it). I couldn’t figure out if it was his brother or his, well, significant other. If it was the latter, I’m thinking that’s probably the first time in gameshow history they’ve had an openly gay relationship shown. Just thought it was interesting if WWTBAM made gameshow history like that. \*\* The fellow in the audience was introduced as the contestant’s “partner.” If they weren’t both out before, they are now. (At the end, when the partner came down and hugged the contestant, my wife said something to the effect of “There’s Regis, sweating bullets that he doesn’t have a gay kiss on his TV show!” Would’ve been interesting if they had; I’m sure it would have made the news and been an op-ed staple for a week or so.) * * * …but when you get blue, and you’ve lost all your dreams, there’s nothing like a campfire and a can of beans! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-fucking-morons-on-millionaire/4228.md?page=4)