Just when the summer blockbuster of '98 swept everywhere, an inconspicuous small TV station quietly logged in to Comcast's cable network. Pen | fun | pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

At first, it was some young people who were already interested in Sid after watching "Oprah Talk Show", and they searched for Fire Lion TV early. But in the days leading up to the weekend, the station did not offer any special programs, but continued some of the usual programs of the local stations.

But during the advertising time between the shows, the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" commercial and the preliminary rematch footage were broadcast almost all the time to familiarize the audience with the basic rules of the competition. Of course, the most important trailers were also broadcast, and the editing of the already recorded episodes of the show was really good.

When facing jerky problems at the extreme, the contestants, who had exhausted all kinds of auxiliary means, looked very nervous in the host's indifferent and firm voice. So that viewers who have never seen such a show are easily caught.

But let's be honest, except for a few fans of Sid who are extremely enthusiastic about him because of his outstanding performances in both novels and films, as well as his young age. Not many people paid attention to the new small TV station of Fire Lion TV, but as soon as they saw this trailer that was played on a loop throughout the day, they were immediately hooked.

On a weekend night in the first week of July, a couple of young people were pulled into the TV by their friends, saying, "What is this? One of the brown-haired girls said with a cute nose wrinkled.

"Hehe, do you remember the last time Sid Leonhardt was on 'Oprah', didn't he say that one of his TV stations would have a new show?" said another short-haired boy triumphantly.

"You mean the $1 million quiz?" said another blonde boy, patting his head.

"You're only going to remember 1 million, right? The other brunette girl rolled her eyes.

"Okay, okay, you two will quarrel later, okay. The short-haired boy said speechlessly.

"Who's a match with him or her!" shouted the blonde boy and the brunette girl.

"Alright, your synchronization rate is off the charts. The brown-haired girl stopped with a smile.

"Alright, alright, the show begins. The short-haired boy said eagerly.

At this point, the commercial time finally ends, and the picture slowly lights up to soothing music, but at the same time a burst of excited voices comes out of the TV. Although I couldn't hear what it was, the four teenagers and girls in front of the TV couldn't help but get excited.

The picture lit up, and it turned out to be a Latino teenager excitedly being interviewed, and the reporter on the back of the camera asked, "Why do you want to participate in "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"?"

"I grew up in the neighborhoods, and last year my father's company went bankrupt and our family had a hard time, so I always wanted to help the family, but I was too young to work," the teenager said excitedly. So I didn't know what to do, but I saw the audition for "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" in the newspaper, so I wanted to try it. I didn't expect to make it through the primaries and semi-finals, so I'm really happy. ”

As soon as the picture turned, another middle-aged man said indifferently in front of the camera: "Why do you want to participate in the show? Do you still need to ask? Of course, it's for $1 million." "What follows is an edit of interviews with a few contestants who have been selected for the TV show, and a few teenagers and girls are easily attracted.

But before they could say anything, the show began right away, and the picture was connected to the studio, which was newly renovated and large modern studio with a capacity of 500 people. This is also specially built for the next series of programs after Sid acquired the original TV station.

A middle-aged presenter came out of the darkness and said to the camera with a gentle smile: "Hello everyone, welcome to 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', I'm your host Rogis Ferbin." ”

Then the lights around gradually turned on, and the audience sitting in the circular auditorium applauded, and the scene was lively. Amid the music and applause, the host smiled and said, "After the preliminary selection and semi-finals, our official contestants are ready to participate in our official competition in the studio." ”

"Before we start the competition, I would like to give you a brief explanation of the rules of our program. The host said, "We have a total of 15 questions, each of which corresponds to a prize amount, and if the contestant answers all the questions correctly, he will receive a prize of $1 million!"

At this time, the surrounding audience suddenly let out a high cheer, the host smiled and waved his hand, and then continued: "But if the contestant chooses to give up in the middle of the way, he can also get the bonus amount for answering the question correctly." There are three ways to assist the contestants, the first is to eliminate two wrong answers, the second is to ask for help from the audience, and the third is to call your friends and ask them for answers. ”

After a brief introduction to the rules, the host immediately introduced the first contestant, a 34-year-old middle-aged truck driver.

"Hello Jason, you're a truck driver, so why would you want to be a millionaire?" the host asked.

"I work just to pay the bills, but I don't want to be a truck driver for the rest of my life. The middle-aged driver shrugged and said, his words immediately cheered from the audience.

"Good luck then. The host smiled and immediately started the competition.

The truck driver contestant and the presenter sat on a translucent platform in the center of the stage, with light blue lights showing a simple and beautiful modern feel, and in front of them were two displays.

As the host began to ask questions, the lights in the auditorium dimmed, leaving only the central area of the host and contestants lit up, and the display showed the problem.

"As the saying goes: Don't throw away the child with what?" is a common saying in the West, which can be said to be well-known, and it is as popular as "three stinkers race Zhuge Liang" on the other side of the ocean.

The moderator reads out the first question, "A, garbage, B, diapers, C, bathwater, D, stroller"

"Isn't that a gift of money?" asked the blonde boy in amazement.

"It's just because it's the first topic, so it's that simple. The blonde girl said.

As they say, the contestants on the TV set were also quick to make their choice: "It's C." ”

"Are you sure?" the host asked unhurriedly.

"Of course. The contestant smiled and nodded.

"Correct!" the host waved his hand, and the next few questions were just as popular, and after a short commercial break, the second stage of the questions made the contestants difficult.

"Which of the following states in the United States is not on the Gulf Coast. A, Florida, B, Mississippi, C, New Mexico, D, Texas. The host's question made the truck driver immediately frown.

The music immediately became low and depressing, "It's Florida." The blonde boy said.

"No, you're such a fool. It's Mississippi. The blonde girl said.

"Shouldn't it be Texas?" asked the short-haired boy, "Texas is in the west, and it should have nothing to do with the Gulf of Mexico on the east coast." ”

Similar arguments and quarrels with them are also being staged across the United States among viewers who are watching "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire", such a novel and interesting show that can compete with friends and family.

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Charles Schell was a little restless, sitting in his office, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" was the first official show after the reorganization of Fire Lion TV. It can be said that the success or failure of this show determines the life and death of the TV station.

And what determines the life and death of a show is, of course, the ratings!

That's why he didn't go home to spend time with his family on Saturday night, but stayed on Fire Lion TV to wait for the latest ratings data. Truth be told, Friday night in the first week of July isn't a great time for a new TV show.

July was originally the hot season for the summer season, and this Wednesday's "Peerless Tribulation" reaped an astonishing $16 million at the box office on the first day. Industry forecasters even expect that the box office of "Peerless Tribulation" will be 36 million in the first week.

If people go out to watch movies, the ratings of the TV station will of course decrease, let alone a new TV station that is not well-known. If you want to talk about fame, Sid's fame is only a little bigger than the fame of Fire Lion TV. And although Sid advertised on the "Oprah talk show", no one dared to pack a ticket for how effective it could be.

After all, Sid is a director and writer behind the scenes, not a star in front of the stage, and this difference is certainly not as strong as it is for fans.

Just when the old man Charles Schell was a little restless, the phone on the table of "Ding Ding Ding Ding !!" suddenly rang, and he was all excited, and immediately jumped up and picked up the phone: "Hey, what happened?"

But on the other side of the microphone was not the phone of the ratings statistics department, and a familiar voice came, it was Sid's voice: "Charles, you are really on the TV station." ”

"What's wrong, what's the matter?" asked Charles Scheer, a little surprised.

"No, I'll just look at you, although today is important, don't be too tired of your old man. Sid's words carried a touch of care, which made Charles Schell a little touched.

"Nothing, I'm still excited. Old man Charles Schell smiled heartily.

Just after the two chatted for a few words, one of Charles Shear's subordinates rushed in sweating profusely. When Old Man Charles Schell saw his appearance, his heart couldn't help but sink, he pressed the phone, frowned and asked, "What is the result!"

The subordinate panted and handed the list with the results printed to Charles Shear, who himself was speechless from running from the downstairs to the seventh floor.

Old man Charles Shear's hands trembled a little and opened the folded result sheet, and the number on it was - 36 million!