If you want three shows to explain the TV landscape of the last 25 years, you’ve got Popstars, you’ve got Big Brother but you’ve mainly got Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and today marks its 25th anniversary.
We must be due a new documentary on Charles Ingram, it’s been a few weeks since the last one.
The gameshow that galvanised a genre. Since then every gameshow – including ones by its makers (Celador / CPL / Stellify) – have tried to capture that “lightning rod” essence and in the main not come as close as Millionaire has.
A few views on the original:
– Excellent host in Chris Tarrant. Straddles the line with perfection between being a “mate down the pub” egging you on wishing you luck and the serious quiz master.
– Awesome set by Andy Walmsley. Never bettered in my view with the claustrophobicness of it and the intimate feel of it. Plus, the fact we see the audience behind the contestant and Chris was a masterstroke.
– And finally the most striking aspect of all. The soundtrack by Keith and Matthew Strachan. Never has music in a gameshow been so important and set the tone of the show beautifully.
I think part of the show’s success was it’s simplicity; Just answer 15 questions correctly, and you’re a millionaire. You can quit at any time and if you get stuck, you can use a lifeline.
That’s it. No Convoluted twists. No complicated rules. Just you, Chris, 15 Questions, Lifelines and the Audience (And nine others trying to reach the hot seat too!).
The music also helps. This was the first game show to really take advantage of it’s soundtrack, and lighting. The show would not’ve been half a good without it (As leaked footage from the pilot shows)!
https://youtu.be/rXZ12b7qSLI