Morning Buzz for August 9, 2011

Good morning, everyone.  We took a long weekend but we’re back with lots to talk about.  We’re getting closer to the debut of the Fall 2011 season so bits and pieces of news about your favorite shows are coming in.

*Who Wants to be a Millionaire will be entering its tenth syndicated season this September.  Every year for the past few seasons they’ve undergone some major changes.  Whether it be a clock, removal of useful lifelines, a new money chain, or a revamp like last year.  This season seems to be pretty standard except for one addition.  Some special days will be “Double Your Money” days.

In Double Your Money days, which come up at the discretion of the producers, one of the questions will be randomly selected to be the doubled question of the game.  If you answer that question correctly the value behind the question (remember, it’s all random and independent now) is doubled and added to your bank.  This means up to $50,000 can be won on a single question.  If you Jump the question, you still don’t get the cash for it.  This does mean, though, that playing a perfect round and being lucky enough to double the $25,000 question means your bank could eclipse $90,000.  This does also mean that the first question, which could be easiest, could be worth $50,000.  Interesting change.  Can’t wait to see it played out, whenever that may be.

*Check the bottom of the page.  If you’re a regular viewer of GSN we’ve finally updated the PDF schedules.  You can find specific episode numbers and more information on there.

*According to our British correspondent @TravisAPenery, the popular BBC lottery quiz show Secret Fortune will be returning to the network on Saturday, August 20th.  Secret Fortune was recently granted a million dollar pilot for CBS hosted by Donny Osmond.  We’re waiting to hear word on that.  We’ll be covering the British version again, though.

*Another BBC game show looks like it’s coming sometime the week of the 20th according to the press site, although I’m glad to be corrected by someone who knows more.  The show is called Epic Win.  Contestants try to wow three judges with some act.  If they do each of the judges puts up to £1,000, secretly, for a total of £3,000 possibly.  The contestant then faces a money clock sort of mechanic where dollar values keep flashing before the contestant and (s)he must claim one before the person goes too high and they leave with nothing.  I like quirky talent shows but the ending seems tacked on.

*Australian Deal or No Deal had some pretty exciting games last week.  Here’s one of the highlights.

Logo courtesy Valleycrest Productions Ltd.

Source : Millionaire Official Rules