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Million Dollar Money Drop: reviews

What do US critics make of Million Dollar Money Drop, the next game show format to be hosted by Eddie McGuire in Australia?

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The US version of Million Dollar Money Drop, the next game show format to be hosted by Eddie McGuire in Australia, has attracted mostly good reviews, despite the fact that a mistake ha caused the show to invite two contestants back.

The show, based on a UK format, piles up $1m in front of contestants who wager the money on general knowledge questions, only to see it slowly disappear before their eyes through a trapdoor.

When two contestants lost $800,000 on one question, viewers cried foul on the answer: “Which product was sold in stores first? The (a) Macintosh Computer (b) Sony Walkman or (c) Post-It Notes”.

When they answered C) they lost $800,000 but 3M later confirmed that the ‘Press and Peel’ which is the original name for the ‘Post-It Note’ was sold in stores in 1977. FOX is inviting the couple back despite the fact they also bombed out in the next question.

But reviews have found enough drama to keep them interested.

Washington Post said:
Just a dose of the show leads to sweaty palms and heightened anticipation – always a good sign. It’s funny how little it takes: Everything about the way “Million Dollar Money Drop” is built relies on one modern game-show trope after another, from the Lucite platforms, to the seizure-inducing laser light show, to the manufactured responses (the audience’s; the contestants’), to the ladies who hurry onstage to help rearrange the bundles of cash for the next round. What would make “Million Dollar Money Drop” more attuned to the times would be an epilogue at the end of the show, when people like Gabe and Brittany are forced to watch a significant portion of whatever they do win plummet down a hole labeled “federal and state taxes.”

NY Post said:
During each round, the contestant team must choose from three or four possible answers. From the screener copy sent by Fox, the categories all seem to be pop culture-y, so the more contestants know about celebrities, and pop culture, the better. Got it? Good. And so is the show. Yes, it feels like the illegitimate child of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” and “Deal Or No Deal,” but I’ll bet you a million bucks, viewers will go for it anyway.

However, Variety said:
The title notwithstanding, “Million Dollar Money Drop” is a dime-a-dozen idea — a modest twist on the familiar gameshow template that draws from multiple big-money contests but owes its primary debt to “Deal or No Deal.” Granted, that simple-minded NBC program enjoyed a surprisingly durable run, but in terms of sustainability ultimately wasn’t as leggy as its miniskirted models. Similarly, Fox might get some short-term mileage out of “Money Drop’s” get-rich-quick (or not) formula in these recessionary times, but as alternative franchises go, the gimmick doesn’t feel like a stock to buy and hold.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPawPOdrmww[/youtube]

32 Responses

  1. These are definately not actors..
    I am good friends with Rosie & Tony. Epidose screening 24 th March 2011.
    Of course they have a minute to answer, they have to move the cash !!

  2. Those two ‘contestants’ last night were actors. That was 100% staged. No normal people carry on like idiots like that. And 8 questions in an hour? Too slow. Hot Seat is excellent – because it is Fast and actually moves along.

    1. Martin: I was at the record for this show. I suspect they had been well trained in how to talk through their decision-making, and seen international episodes, but I don’t believe they were actors.

  4. just watched the first episode, the two contestants Must be actors, all looks too rehearsed and over exaggerated!! Wont be watching it again, too slow!!

  8. Eddie is the man for the show, however I just don’t think it’s going to be as a big as a hit as in the UK. The concept is great, the questions are fair, but the knowledge of how the game works is terrible. Mostly partners go on the show and unless you have YouTubed the game show these people are walking on stage with no training and very little knowledge of the game. Which I think is a little kick in the teeth. I have been told in one show Eddie virtually humiliated a par because they simply did not know how the show ran, like seriously! How is that gonna make a show sucessful?

    It’s sad, Channel 9 should of done their homework more on this and at least educated people more. This show could infact be another axing for Channel 9. They really are having a bad year of axings already and this will be a big axing if it does actually happen and could bring Channel 9’s reputation down, the drop could be on Nine. Like I said I like the concept, the show etc, I even like the host. God help me but I don’t think people that go on this show are educated enough to understand the concept of the game. Meaning Eddie gets annoyed, the producers crack it and the audience feel off putted. I guess we will soon see!

    Million Dollar Drop (Australia) costs close to $1 Million to setup the show, it could be a costly flop! Happy players = viewers will be happy. If they don’t enjoy playing on the show how are us viewers going to wanna watch it? For those wanting to be on the show, goodluck! Season 1 is fully booked out, I suggest you join Channel 9’s facebook page to get the low-down before anyone else does! This will be interesting to see how this pans out!

  13. i would like to come and take a shot at the million dollars. what do i have to do to get a chance of a lifetime. thank you for your reply. gail beisel

  14. I am starting to think somethings real funky is going on with all the game show and other reality shows. how comes when you try to be a contestant you can never get any further then the home page. how come we never know about these show until they are already on tv. remember this, if it was not for us there may not be a you. where do you all dig out your contestant from. these are some burning questions that I have been wanting ask. are most of them family and friends,and a friend of a friends friend, and some of your co-workers friends, and friends of theirs. I would just like to know how does it go? and what does it take to be a contestant. every site that you go to and they say they are casting, you are never able to get through, and that makes a person think that it’s something that is not right with these wesite or they are getting people that they actually know. I have tried on several sites, with the same results, now what would you think.

  21. Oh good grief!!!…..Talk about overkill…..never did care for Eddie as a personality….but I think even those who do think he is ok….have to be Eddied out by now….

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