Elizabeth Riddle
United Kingdom
United States
2004
2005
Changing Rooms/
Trading Spaces
1996-2004
2000- present

Hell’s Kitchen
2004
2005

Pop Idol/American Idol
2001
2002
Strictly Come Dancing/
Dancing with the Stars
2004
2005

Cash Cab


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?”
THE UNITED KINGDOM:

First aired: September 4, 1998

Taped: Elstree Film Studios in
Hertfordshire
THE UNITED STATES:

First aired: August 16, 1999

Taped in New York

Hosts:
 Regis Philbin (primetime) 19992002
 Meredith Vieira (daytime) 2002present

Host: Chris Tarrant

Top Prize: £1,000,000

Original working title: Cash
Mountain

Top Prize: $1,000,000

Special Editions
2007- format changed to 12 questions

10th anniversary- show returned to ABC
primetime in August 2009 with Regis
Philbin for a 2-week event

UNITED KINGDOM VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=njBc95YeMA4
UNITED STATES VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=n8JrsnpWUSw

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?”