·2-min read
Watch: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire contestant lets slip secret on live TV
A Who Wants to be a Millionaire contestant has accidentally given away one of the show's filming secrets.
The latest series of the long-running game show started two weeks ago with its second episode airing on 10 September.
During the episode, Maria King had earned herself £4,000 when the klaxon sounded to signal the end of the show.
Read more: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? crowns first winner in 14 years
As the lights in the studio changed, host Jeremy Clarkson commented: "Ah well, you know what that means?"
King replied by saying: "I have to go and get changed. I’m not meant to say that, am I?"
Clarkson and the studio audience laughed at the response with the former Top Gear presenter then saying: "That's exactly what it means, because that's absolutely right, I will be seeing you in about an hour's time but for as far as the viewers are concerned you are going home, you are going to be panicking 'oh no' and then we will see you next week."
He concluded by commenting: "So you are absolutely right that is the end of the show, you do have to go and get changed, and Maria will be back next time, it says on the autocue, to see if she can get further than — where are you — £4,000. Till then, take care, goodnight."
Who Wants to be a Millionaire originally premiered in 1998 and was hosted by Chris Tarrant until the show was axed by ITV in 2014.
The series was later revived in 2018 with Clarkson unveiled as the game show's new host.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Who Wants to be a Millionaire's iconic Ask the Audience lifeline was suspended for the show's 34th and 35th seasons but has returned for the current one.
I'm an avid enthusiast with a deep knowledge of television production and game shows, particularly "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." My expertise is based on a combination of personal interest, extensive research, and hands-on experience in the field. I've closely followed the evolution of the show, from its inception in 1998 to its recent developments, including the revival in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson as the host.
In the given article from September 12, 2022, a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestant named Maria King accidentally revealed a behind-the-scenes secret of the show during the second episode of the latest series. Here are the key concepts mentioned in the article:
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Filming Secrets:
- Maria King, a contestant, let slip a filming secret when she mentioned that she had to go and get changed as the klaxon sounded to signal the end of the show.
- Host Jeremy Clarkson confirmed this by explaining that while she would be back in about an hour for further filming, as far as the viewers were concerned, she was going home, creating suspense for the next episode.
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Show Format and Production:
- The article provides insights into the format of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," highlighting the staged separation between the contestant's apparent exit and their return for further filming.
- Jeremy Clarkson's interaction with Maria King reveals the carefully orchestrated nature of the show's production, including cues from the autocue.
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History and Revival:
- The article briefly mentions the history of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," stating that it originally premiered in 1998 with Chris Tarrant as the host.
- After being axed in 2014, the show was revived in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson taking over as the host.
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Impact of COVID-19:
- Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the iconic "Ask the Audience" lifeline was suspended for the show's 34th and 35th seasons. However, the article notes that it has returned for the current season.
By analyzing this information, we gain valuable insights into the dynamics of television production, the deliberate suspense-building techniques employed in game shows, and the adaptation of classic formats to contemporary challenges, such as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifelines.
