A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached the final
plateau.
If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000.
-
If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone
money.
And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no
pushover.
-
It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own
nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. She had used up
her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained
was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it
because ... Her friend was, well-- blonde.
-
But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the
question and the four choices.
-
The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer is C: the
cuckoo."
-
The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast.
-
She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Meredith any
answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her
friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do.
-
But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that
the contestant could not help but be persuaded.
-
"I need an answer," said Meredith.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
-
"Is that your final answer?"
-
"Yes, that is my final answer."
-
And Meredith replied, "That answer is. Absolutely correct! You are now a
millionaire!"
-
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and
friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million
dollars.
-
"Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant..
"How did you happen to know the right answer?"
-
"Oh, come on," said the blonde... "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't
build nests. They live in clocks."
plateau.
If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000.
-
If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone
money.
And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no
pushover.
-
It was, "Which of the following species of birds does not build its own
nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. She had used up
her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained
was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it
because ... Her friend was, well-- blonde.
-
But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the
question and the four choices.
-
The blonde responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer is C: the
cuckoo."
-
The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast.
-
She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving Meredith any
answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her
friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do.
-
But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that
the contestant could not help but be persuaded.
-
"I need an answer," said Meredith.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
-
"Is that your final answer?"
-
"Yes, that is my final answer."
-
And Meredith replied, "That answer is. Absolutely correct! You are now a
millionaire!"
-
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and
friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million
dollars.
-
"Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant..
"How did you happen to know the right answer?"
-
"Oh, come on," said the blonde... "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't
build nests. They live in clocks."
