Flare Sci-Fi Forums: I want to be a millionaire!

This is topic I want to be a millionaire! in forum Officers' Lounge at Flare Sci-Fi Forums.

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Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

This is to let y'all know, I'm well on my way to meeting Regis. I got my first callback today, about a half-hour ago. I advance to level two next thursday. If I get a callback after that... I'm going to New York. Taping's on the 11th, so if you don't hear from me for a few days...

EEP!

Right now I'm so exited I could just... oops. I did. Better clean that up.

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :

Well, congratulations, First! If you need someone to put on your phone-a-friend list, give me an e-mail. Frank's got the addy. My specialites are geography, math, some sciences, some religion, and (of course) politics.

Name's Rob Farquar, right? Just in case I see it...

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
- George Bernard Shaw

Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :

Geography and History (both US and Canada), Computer Science, and Chemistry.

And don't underestimate the mind of a Canadian. There's more to America that I know than you think.

Congrats. Too bad I can't qualify.

And if you do win, have any idea on how you're gonna spend it?

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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."

[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited September 20, 2000).]

Posted by Shik (Member # 343) on :

Yeah, mee, too. I've seen this show & it's disgustingly easy. You have to be an idiot not to win. Looks like I can answer any of the questions as long as they're not sports-related.

I only ask for a humble $2500 to relocate myself to central Pennsylvania. Barring that, how in the WORLD did you manage to apply?

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"My dear, I used to think that I was serving humanity... and I pleasured in the thought. Then I discovered that humanity does not want to be served; on the contrary it resents any attempt to serve it. So now I do what pleases Jubal Harshaw." ---Jubal Harshaw, Stranger In A Strange Land

Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :

Way to go first!! I'm there if you need me, but I don't think I know much of anything that you don't, so I will only wish you luck!!

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Sailing the Slipstream

Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :

Why Pennsylvannia?

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My roomate is a stupid, often-drunk, country-listening, non-cleaning, non-choring redneck ... kill him now ...

Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :

I believe that working at a library is going to work in First's favour. Especially with literature.

Okay, maybe you shouldn't ask me about American History, just in case. But I do know much about American Geography.

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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."

[This message has been edited by Tahna Los (edited September 20, 2000).]

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

My weak areas are Arts and Entertainment (but my gf can handle that -- she's seen about every movie, musical, broadway show, etc. ever invented) and Sports.

I expect that IF I am selected, and IF I win a 'fastest-finger' question, I could go all the way.

How did I apply? I called the phone number, and answered three 'fast finger' type questions correctly. I forget what the phone # is, but I could post it for you later (much later, I don't want any real competition).

What would I do with a million? (after taxes gobble up $400,000, of course) In decreasing order of probability:

1. Marry girlfriend.
2. Get own house.
3. Get new car.
4. Deposit leftovers in bank/credit union where they would hopefully acquire decent interest. Possibly invest some.
5. Possibly retire, use show-derived fame/appeal/personal magnetism as possible moneymaker. Commercial endorsement deal? If that nude jerk from "Survivor" can do it...
6. in 2008 or so, use funds to make bid for U.S. Presidency. Win. Conquer Earth. Give to The Brain as Christmas present.

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by Saltah'na (Member # 33) on :

Commentary on Probability

1) 100%. No doubt about it.
2) 80%. You could get an apartment, or a condo, or....
3) 75%. Depends on the car and colour you want.
4) Leftovers in Credit Union: 100%. Some Investing: 75%.
5) 10%. We don't know what you look like. Some of us might not want to
6) -10%, if there was such a probability.

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"My Name is Elmer Fudd, Millionaire. I own a Mansion and a Yacht."
Psychiatrist: "Again."

Posted by Jeff Raven (Member # 20) on :

I'd try out for that... but they'd probably exclude me cuz I'm too smart...

*head gets stuck in the door*

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Intelligence, Integrity, Responsibility.
Vote Bush/Cheney 2000

Posted by Curry Monster (Member # 12) on :

They'd take that 40% tax? Whoa. Doesn't that count as winnings over your end of the pacific?

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"More beer, more beer, more beer, more beer! ARSE!"
- Ode to God.

Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :

It's income. They tax it. Heck, you win a car, you have to pay taxes on it.

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
- George Bernard Shaw

Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :

Well, look at it like I do:

even if they tax your winnings, that's still 60% of a million you didn't have before, right? LOL.

Surprisingly, they don't tax my tips. Well, I'll keep quiet about that. I don't want them to start.

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My roomate is a stupid, often-drunk, country-listening, non-cleaning, non-choring redneck ... kill him now ...

Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :

Dude!! Invest all of it. Let that money amke money for you. You can take out loans to buy a house or a car and your winnings would still be makeing money for you. Just make nice conservetive investments.

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Sailing the Slipstream

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

Perhaps. I just REALLY need my own place. Especially after goal #1. (Besides, buying on interest and making payments can be more expensive. Lotsa folks give discounts for immediate payment.

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by Teelie (Member # 280) on :

Hey, there's always the option to give me some of it.

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Where's the bathroom on this ship?

Posted by The Talented Mr. Gurgeh (Member # 318) on :

There's an Irish company called "Eircom" you might want to invest in.(Aside: HeeHee!)

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"Sweetness, sweetness I was only joking
When I said I'd like to smash every tooth
In your head"
Bigmouth Strikes Again- The Smiths

[This message has been edited by Gurgeh (edited September 22, 2000).]

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

Nope, any corporate investments I make will go into Rampant Lion Productions.

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

Why would anyone want to produce rampant lions?

:-)

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"It's like the Star of David or something. But without the whole Judaism thing."
-Frank Gerratana, 17-Aug-2000

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

No-one's won the million on the UK version (which was first, nyah!). I am therefore left with two options.

1/ The US has much smarter contestants than the UK
2/ The US has far easier questions than the UK

After falling about laughing for a second, I've gone for option 2. Has anyone won the million on any other countries (is there an Australian or Canadian version?)

Still, interesting about the taxes. We don't have to pay taxes on winnings. So, out of a million, you'd only get $60,000? Hell, someone walks away with �50,000 over here, they've won considerably more than you... Hmm.

I do have to say, WWTBAM? is the absolute best TV show to have on in a pub. Everyone shouting away, then, suddenly, absolute silence, fevered whisperings, then shouts of "NOOOOO! You idiot, it's fucking A! A! It's A! B! I told her to go for B."

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"Why do you want to spend time with a deer? They're so stupid, they get hypnotized by headlights!" - Guido Anchovy

Posted by Vacuum robot lady from Spaceballs (Member # 239) on :

It'd be more like $600,000 US on the American one. Not $60,000, after taxes.

There was a really shitty Canadian one (it was two episodes) and I don't think anybody one. It should've been named "Who wants to win $8.50 US and a ball of pocket lint.

The prize was still $1,000,000, albeit in Canadian funds.

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"...you know, Omega, there's a phrase you might want to look up. It goes something like "paranoid arrogant fuckwit who has more chance of ejaculating to the moon than he has of ever convincing a girl that he's a viable prospect for marriage." -PsyLiam, September 16, 2000 10:23 PM.

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Hmm. I missed a 0 off the end of all my figures. Some strange form of number dyslexia I'll wager. Oh well, it won't be important in Computer Sciences...

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"Why do you want to spend time with a deer? They're so stupid, they get hypnotized by headlights!" - Guido Anchovy

Posted by SCSImperium (Member # 397) on :

If you do get on the show, and, most importantly, on the chair, find some way to blurt out Flare. That would be the most amusing thing.

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-Small Computer Systems Interface "Scuzzy" Emperor

Operator of the Goulag Hotel, maintainer of the workhouses.

Operator of Cargill Conglomerate Publications, http://www.cargillconglomerate.com

"Woman is deprived of rights from lack of education, and the lack of education results from the absence of rights. We must not forget that the subjection of women is so complete, and dates from such distant ages, that we are often unwilling to recognize the gulf that separates them from us."

Tolstoy, on a more objective note.

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Pretend you have Turret's. No-one would dare argue.

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"Why do you want to spend time with a deer? They're so stupid, they get hypnotized by headlights!" - Guido Anchovy

Posted by Vacuum robot lady from Spaceballs (Member # 239) on :

With a Battleship? I would hope not!

Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :

How many turrets could First possibly have? I mean, aren't they usually rather large, as weapon emplacements go?

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
- George Bernard Shaw

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

He's a big boy. And you can get mini-turrets now. Half the size, at twice the price.

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"Why do you want to spend time with a deer? They're so stupid, they get hypnotized by headlights!" - Guido Anchovy

Posted by Gaseous Anomaly (Member # 114) on :

But if he's got micro-turrets (which implies a micro-torpedo launcher), where are First's split-deflectors going to go?

Hang on...BAH! I tore reality again!

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Remember December '59
The howling wind and the driving rain,
Remember the gallant men who drowned
On the lifeboat, Mona was her name.

Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :

There is an Australian version...

Actually the guy who just recently was the first to get to $500,000 and also a chance on the Million (he actually took the money instead of gambling to get the million, he actually had the correct answer too...

He answered it for fun once he got his $500,000

the million dollar question was:

"Which of these four was the first to get two unshared nobel prizes"

a) Marie Curie
b) Pavlov
c) Linus Pauling
d) Albert Schweitzer

I believe the US Million Dollar question was quite easy...

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"I threw bitter tears at the ocean
But all that came back was the tide..." 'I Will Not Forget You' Sarah McLachlan

Posted by The_Tom (Member # 38) on :

The Canadian version had a payout of $1 mil CDN, but CDN winnings aren't taxed, so it technically was a bigger prize than the US version.

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"...I was just up in Canada, Toronto actually. You know, they really hate you guys [Americans] up there? The funny thing is, they think you hate them back, when in fact, you just couldn't be bothered to care. Now in Ireland, it's a different story. At least we had the common decency to wait until the English invaded before we started hating them. I guess the Canadians are hating you in advance..."
-Irish Comic Ed Byrne on Canada-US relations

Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

First: I'm curious... You say taping starts on the eleventh. Do you know how much time passes between taping and airing?

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"If the rope is a quarter of a Zeuslength in size, then the Defiant shalt most naturally be seven times the thirty-second part of a Zeuslength?"
-Boris Skrbic, 27-Sep-2000

Posted by Omega (Member # 91) on :

Well, it's next Thursday. And we await the callback...

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"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it."
- George Bernard Shaw

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

To quote the immortal, inestimable, round-headed sweater wearing, football-not-kicking character in Peanuts, whose life seems to bear an inordinate number of parallells to my own,

"RATS."

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by Jeff Raven (Member # 20) on :

No, that's the Republican commercial producers...

I was thinking of "Good Grief".

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Intelligence, Integrity, Responsibility.
Vote Bush/Cheney 2000

Posted by Malnurtured Snay (Member # 411) on :

Sorry to hear that First. Maybe next time?

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Jeff's Webcam
***
From the dawn of toys we came, living secretly among your cherished treasures, moving through the toy chests, until the time of the Gathering, when those who remain will battle for the prize. In the end, there can be only one ... LEGOLANDER!
***
Gore/Lieberman 2000

Posted by First of Two (Member # 16) on :

Eventually. I cannot be defeated, only delayed...

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"Ed Gruberman, you fail to grasp Ty Kwan Leap. Approach me, that you might see." -- The Master

Posted by LOA (Member # 49) on :

*grin* Great way to look at it, First! I agree with you!

~LOA

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Men suck, but I'm not bitter.... not really.....

Posted by Charles Capps (Member # 9) on :

It could be worse....

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"I know you believe you understand what you think this fortune says, but I'm not sure you realize that what you are reading is not what it means."

Posted by Sol System (Member # 30) on :

Could be stabbing.

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love's function is to fabricate unknownnness
--
E. E. Cummings
****
Read chapter one of "Dirk Tungsten in...The Disappearing Planet"! And party everyday.

Posted by TSN (Member # 31) on :

Weirdo...

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"If the rope is a quarter of a Zeuslength in size, then the Defiant shalt most naturally be seven times the thirty-second part of a Zeuslength?"
-Boris Skrbic, 27-Sep-2000

Posted by PsyLiam (Member # 73) on :

Says you.

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"Why do you want to spend time with a deer? They're so stupid, they get hypnotized by headlights!" - Guido Anchovy