Who wants to be a millionaire and The Weakest link Essay Example
Who wants to be a millionaire and The Weakest link Essay Example

Who wants to be a millionaire and The Weakest link Essay Example

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  • Pages: 8 (1968 words)
  • Published: July 12, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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The purpose of this essay is to compare two well-known television game shows: 'Who wants to be a millionaire?' on ITV and 'The Weakest link' on BBC1 and BBC2. These shows are aired on popular television networks during peak viewing hours, which attracts a large audience. Despite some differences, both shows follow a similar format where contestants are asked questions and can win money based on the number of correct answers.

There are several differences between the shows. One significant distinction is the gender of the presenters, with one being male and the other female. The number of contestants also varies; in one show, there are nine contestants who are gradually voted out until only two remain for the final competition. In contrast, the second show starts with ten contestants and eliminates them one by one until only one winner is left. These differences

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greatly impact the audience that watches each show. Moreover, elements like lighting, stage setup, and music play crucial roles in shaping the overall experience of both shows. 'The Weakest link' begins with a total of nine contestants who all strive to stay in the competition and win the ultimate cash prize.

"The Weakest Link" features multiple rounds with a changing number of participants, where contestants are gradually eliminated. Once only two remain, they face off by selecting the most accurate answers out of five. The show's host, Anne Robinson, deliberately presents herself humorlessly to prevent any favoritism and asks questions without displaying amusement. Conversely, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" commences with 10 contestants who are introduced and posed a specific question.

The fastest person to answer the question is chosen for the main

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game and everyone else gets eliminated. The selected player has a chance to win a million dollars by answering up to 15 increasingly difficult questions. Each correct answer earns them more money, with specific points where the amount is guaranteed. However, if they answer a question incorrectly, they return to their previous designated amount and the game ends. Fortunately, there are tools available to assist them.

To maximize their chances of winning a higher amount of money, the contestants are provided with three lifelines: 50:50, phone a friend, and ask the audience. The game show is hosted by Chris Tarrant, a male host who not only asks the questions but also injects humor into the show as there is only one contestant in the main game, avoiding any bias. The game show "The Weakest Link" begins with its title and theme song, followed by the camera zooming in on the presenter, Anne Robinson, who is already on stage.

The show begins with only the theme music playing and no applause, as there is no live audience. Anne Robinson proceeds to provide an explanation of the show and its workings. The introduction also features the 9 contestants, offering basic details such as their name and occupation. To help viewers keep track of who remains in the game, each contestant stands behind a podium bearing their name. Additionally, each round has a set time limit, and contestants accumulate money by correctly responding to the presenter's questions—the more questions answered, the higher the monetary winnings.

To keep their winnings, participants must say 'bank' before answering to save the money they have accumulated. However, the total amount goes back to the minimum

that can be won from a single question, and this cycle continues until time runs out. At the end of each round, all participants vote to decide who should be eliminated. The person with the most votes then proceeds to take the 'walk of shame' towards the backstage area. In this backstage interview, they discuss their feelings about being eliminated and make predictions for the next elimination.

The opening sequence of the show 'Who wants to be a millionaire' shares similarities with 'The Weakest Link' as it includes the theme music and title. However, unlike 'The Weakest Link', 'Who wants to be a millionaire' has a live audience, resulting in applause. As for the presenter, Chris Tarrant, instead of initially being present on stage, he enters through an archway. At the start of the show, ten contestants are positioned behind pedestals in darkness and are then given a question to answer. The individual who responds fastest is selected to compete for a prize of 1 million.

Chris Tarrant inquires if the contestant is prepared to play for one million pounds, to which the contestant replies affirmatively. Subsequently, Chris Tarrant and the contestant proceed to sit on chairs positioned on a raised platform, featuring a pedestal between them presenting the host's questions and related content. Additionally, Chris initiates a discussion with the contestant about their background and typically inquires about the audience members observing them, such as their family and friends. Once these formalities are completed, the game commences with the first question.

The female presenter of 'The Weakest Link' is Anne Robinson, who gained fame as the host of BBC1's 'Watchdog'. She dons sophisticated and formal attire but

adopts a serious and stern demeanor on the game show. She lacks humor and tends to be unpleasant towards eliminated contestants, deeming them deserving of their fate and mocking rather than praising their performance. Moreover, these individuals are subjected to the humiliating experience known as 'The walk of shame'.

Although she may come across as mean-spirited and unsportsmanlike, it is crucial to note that her behavior towards all participants, rather than a select few, prevents it from being classified as traditional bullying. She openly evaluates others' performances without providing consolation, often mocking their poor efforts. Her demeanor throughout the show gives the impression that she would prefer to be elsewhere. However, this behavior serves as a facade to ensure that no assumptions are made about the show being manipulated or biased.

The host of the television show 'Who wants to be a millionaire? ' is Chris Tarrant, a male presenter known for his other show 'Tarrant on TV' on Channel four. In both shows, he appears in formal attire. Tarrant is highly courteous as the host and treats all participants with politeness, regardless of whether they win a million or a hundred pounds. He asks personal questions to the players and portrays himself as a friendly and polite individual. Tarrant provides substantial encouragement to the contestants, making them feel empowered to win the grand prize of one million pounds.

In the show, the host offers contestants the opportunity to change their answer before revealing if it is correct or incorrect. Additionally, he playfully tempts players with money, brandishing a check in front of them only to inform them that they won't receive it and urging them to

win more. Furthermore, just before a commercial break, he poses a question and leaves viewers hanging until after the break for the answer. 'The Weakest link' airs on both BBC1 and BBC2, channels that do not display advertisements, resulting in a longer time slot compared to other channels that allocate 2-3 minutes for commercials.

The contestants of 'Who wants to be a millionaire' have a set amount of time to answer questions. Each round, one person is eliminated and the remaining time for answering questions is reduced by 15 seconds. The show follows a fixed schedule and always results in a winner. The programme airs on ITV and must allow time for advertisements, which links it with BBC programmes. Advertisements are shown every 10-15 minutes during the show, with an additional 2-3 minutes for them to conclude.

The contestant is given unlimited time to answer a multiple choice question and can receive assistance through three lifelines. The game show 'The Weakest Link' lacks an audience and lacks the sense of involvement and applause. In contrast, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' has a live audience sitting in a circular arrangement around Tarrant and the contestant, with one large entrance.

The audience is essential in the game and serves as one of the lifelines called 'ask the audience'. When a player selects 'ask the audience', members of the audience can use keypads to choose their preferred answer. The contestant can then decide whether to trust the audience's decision, use another lifeline if available, or walk away with their current winnings. 'The Weakest link' consists of multiple rounds, each with a time limit.

Anne Robinson is the host of "Who

Wants to Be a Millionaire?", a show where participants have the chance to win money by answering questions. The more questions they answer correctly in a row, the more money they can earn until they decide to stop. However, if a contestant answers incorrectly or chooses to stop, their winnings will go back to the lowest amount earned and they will start again. While there is an opportunity to win one million pounds, smaller prizes are also available. The game consists of 15 questions and each correct answer increases the participant's earnings. It should be noted that winning money is not guaranteed and players may end up with nothing.

To avoid losing all of their money, one solution is for players to reach a designated amount known as a 'save point'. If they manage to reach this save point, they will leave with at least that amount.

For example, in the television show 'The Weakest Link', there are two save points: $16,000 and $32,000. During the game, eight contestants fail to win while only one emerges as the winner.

In contrast, in the show 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', there are nine individuals who do not answer the quick fire question fastest. In this scenario, whoever answers it quickest could either win nothing or potentially win a million dollars.

Both shows consider people who call to become participants but don't get on as losers. They both have a pedestal where the main presenter sits/stands to display questions and answers for the contestants. On 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?', the contestant has their remaining lifelines and current money tally in front of them.

Both shows have a bluish color

scheme and feature lighting panels in the floor for added effect. Additionally, they both play theme music throughout the show, with both songs having a resemblance to a heartbeat and a similar basic beat. These elements serve as a reminder to the contestants that they are being recorded on camera for millions of viewers, potentially causing them to feel uneasy and making them more likely to answer questions incorrectly. While the difficulty level of the questions is not explicitly indicated on either show, 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?' appears to increase in difficulty with the value of the question. However, ultimately, success on these shows relies on one's general knowledge rather than a specific difficulty level.

'The Weakest link' introduces a challenge for its contestants as they must answer questions quickly in order to secure money. To prevent any conflicts, both shows are not aired simultaneously. Contrasting with 'The Weakest link', the conclusion of both shows varies. In 'The Weakest link', there is a winner who receives the prize money while the runner-up receives nothing. Afterward, both individuals leave the set and provide interviews expressing their thoughts and emotions regarding their success or defeat.

The game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" ends either when time runs out or there are no more participants. However, contestants can return on the next episode to finish answering their questions if they haven't completed them. If someone wins a million pounds, there is a celebration with balloons and confetti falling from the ceiling. At the end of each episode, credits roll to acknowledge the show's participants and production team. Both shows offer various merchandise for sale, such as

quiz books, computer games, and board games. These items cater to both dedicated fans and casual players seeking entertainment.

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