Watching Foreign Telly: German Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

I was going to write about the new series of Italian Deal or No Deal (Affari Tuoi) this weekend but it can wait. I watched the German version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? this evening. However, it was first of two, two hour specials called Wer wird Millionär? – Das große Zocker-Special. For those who don't know German, the English title is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? The Great Gambler Special. You wouldn't see that title on ITV anytime soon. 

This version is basically the Millionaire format we all loved but with little tweaks. To give you a quick overall. The German version still uses the 15 question money tree, Fastest Finger First and the original musical cues from Keith and Matthew Strachan. In these two specials, the money tree and format is designed to encourage contestants to climb up the money tree without using any lifelines. The higher up the money tree the contestants go, the bigger the risk.

The top prize has been doubled from €1 million to €2 million, therefore the money tree values have slightly changed from the regular money tree. There is only one safe level at €1,000 (question 5). The major factor with these shows, contestants cannot use any lifelines for the first nine questions. Once they win €16,000 (question 9), they can use the four lifelines (Phone a Friend, Ask the Audience, 50/50 and Ask the Audience Member) for the remaining six questions.

As with some European versions of Millionaire, there are larger jumps higher up the money tree. As you can see, question 13 is worth €250,000 with question 14 trebling the amount to €750,000. Question 15 is worth an extra €1.25 million. However, it's worth remembering there is only one safe haven at €1,000, so to win €2 million you would have to risk €749,000. Possibly the biggest risk on any version of Millionaire in the world.

The show had a slow start with the first two contestants (both female) losing €7,000 each to leave with €1,000. Third contestant, Alexander Zimmer fared much better. He zipped through the first nine questions, securing €16,000 and his four lifelines. He used his 50/50 to win €32,000, his Phone a Friend to win €64,000, Ask the Audience to win €125,000 and Ask the Audience Member to win €250,000. Alexander had this question, worth a staggering €750,000. Remember he is risking €249,000 if he is wrong.

The translation for this question is as follows.

What is often equipped with a ferrule?

A: Teabag
B: Condom
C: Pencil
D: Compact Disc



Alexander decides to play the question and he is right for €750,000. 

Alexander is now one question away to winning €2 Million. If he answers question fifteen wrong, he loses €749,000

Translation:

If you believe the Apollo astronauts that were on the moon, what does moon dust smell like?

A: Window Cleaner
B: Aniseed
C: Gunpowder
D: Smelly Feet

Alexander decides not to risk his €749,000 and becomes the second biggest winner on the German version. Had he played the question he would've lost €749,000.

Given the slow start, this has been an entertaining, tense and dramatic two hour special. It proves the legacy of the classic Millionaire format carries throughout the world. Given Victory Television has completely ruined the UK version over the last two years. Especially with their recent People Play specials. The second Great Gamblers special will air next Friday

The correct answers were C: Pencil and C: Gunpowder.