The best quiz show ever? (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?)

Member Name: doctordarke2389

Product:	Who Wants to be a Millionaire?
Date:	25/07/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Endless entertainment by ordinary folks

Disadvantages: Celebrities

Who wants to be a millionaire is arguably the greatest quiz programme ever devised. In any event, the fact that it has been syndicated on a truly global basis provides ample testimony to the show's drawing power and enduring popularity. It was, admittedly, getting a bit dated, and the revamp of the prize levels came as a welcome shot in the arm.

What sets it apart from other, rather more bland and frankly boring shows is the ever-complex human element that the contestants bring to the programme, and not just the huge prize money on offer. It's the people, not the dosh. You can't legislate for the way that folk behave when sat in The Chair; some come over as warm and surprisingly daring when going for the 50-50, others are clearly nervous and not prepared to take chances, which is fair enough. Then, we had Judith Keppel ... amazing. Anyway, the variety is seemingly endless.

The worst part of this programme for me, though, is the pervasive presence of 'celebrities' playing for 'charidee'. The overwhelming majority of these largely talentless non-entities can't seem to refuse the opportunity to show millions of viewers how truly ignorant, uninformed and basically dense they are. I knew it already, so why prove it? There have been a couple of exceptions: the late Jeremy Beadle comes to mind - he was great. The obverse side of the coin includes a certain former number-cruncher and the truly dreadful getup that was worn on the show.

But, it still brings the viewers in. An outstanding piece of entertainment.

Summary: Keep it going!