UK Game Shows Experience Success in America Elizabeth Riddle
Some of the shows… Cash Cab Changing Rooms/ Trading Spaces United Kingdom United States Cash Cab Changing Rooms/ Trading Spaces Hell’s Kitchen Pop Idol/American Idol Strictly Come Dancing/ Dancing with the Stars 2004 2005 1996-2004 2000- present 2004 2005 2001 2002 2004 2005
Similarities between the “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” versions Different from other game shows: Only one contestant at a time Focus on suspense, not speed Contestant must correctly answer 15 successive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty Lifelines: Phone-A-friend, Ask the Audience, Double Dip, Ask the Expert Hosts often trick contestants “Is that your final answer?”
Differences: The united kingdom: The united states: First aired: September 4, 1998 Taped: Elstree Film Studios in Hertfordshire Host: Chris Tarrant Top Prize: £1,000,000 Original working title: Cash Mountain 2007- format changed to 12 questions First aired: August 16, 1999 Taped in New York Hosts: Regis Philbin (primetime) 1999-2002 Meredith Vieira (daytime) 2002- present Top Prize: $1,000,000 Special Editions 10th anniversary- show returned to ABC primetime in August 2009 with Regis Philbin for a 2-week event
Videos of “Who wants to be a Millionaire?”: United kingdom video United States video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njBc95YeMA4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8JrsnpWUSw
Conclusion: Many U.K. game shows have experienced success in the United States Many formats do not need to be altered in shows going from the United Kingdom to the United States, because they have similar cultures Aside from the different accents and minor insignificant changes, The U.S. version is the same as the original U.K. version of “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?”