MUMBAI: This is a concept that puts a new twist to the game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. The host of the show Meredith Vieira, will be teaming up with US media and services company The Knot for the initiative.
The special series will see engaged couples playing as a team in the hot seat as they try to win $1 million to help pay for the wedding of their dreams. Couples will be allowed to discuss the questions with each other before agreeing on one final answer. The five-episode series will air next month in syndication.
Meanwhile, viewers will also have a chance to win a six-day- seven-night trip for two to an exotic resort on the tropical isle of St. Lucia.
On each episode Vieira will ask a special wedding-themed "sweepstakes" question on-air. To enter the contest, viewers can go to the Knot's website. Millionaire executive producer, Michael Davies said, "We've done successful couple editions before, but nothing like this. We are putting an innovative twist on a proven format."
Viera said, "Having been married for 19 years myself, I am fascinated by the idea of seeing couples play as a team on Millionaire. Experts say that the number one item couples argue about is money. The prospect of winning $1 million might just bring out a side to these contestants that their mates have never seen. I think the couples will come out of this experience knowing their mates better than ever before."
Each couple that plays during the week will also be given an early wedding gift on behalf of Millionaire The Knot. The gifts will be a complete surprise to the unsuspecting couples and ensures that even if they don't win $1 million, no one will walk away empty-handed.
Might this be a marriage-moored show that has a good chance of success in the Indian context unlike the disaster that was Sony Entertainment's Kahin Na Kahin Koi Hain? That's a tough one.
And speaking of innovations, it remains to be seen what kind of innovations Star comes up with when Kaun Banega Crorepati returns to Indian television later this year. Assuming it does of course. KBC - The Return has had more than its fair share of false alarms so till it actually goes on air, doubts will remain.
