Cuckoo blond...
Posted: Sun May 01, 2005 9:48 am
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
$32,000 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; or D)the vulture?"
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was
doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her
Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline,
and the woman had hoped against hope that she would not have to use it.
Mainly because the only friend that she knew would be home happened to
be a blonde. But the contestant 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 Regis any answer except the one
that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde, that
would seem to be the logical thing to do. On the other hand - the blonde had
responded with such confidence,such certitude, that the contestant could
not help but be persuaded.
I need an answer," said Regis. Crossing her fingers, the contestant said,
"C: The cuckoo." "Is that your final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is
my final answer." Two minutes later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that
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.
"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because
of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire. And do
you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you answered
the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the way... 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
$32,000 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; or D)the vulture?"
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And she was
doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her
Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline,
and the woman had hoped against hope that she would not have to use it.
Mainly because the only friend that she knew would be home happened to
be a blonde. But the contestant 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 Regis any answer except the one
that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde, that
would seem to be the logical thing to do. On the other hand - the blonde had
responded with such confidence,such certitude, that the contestant could
not help but be persuaded.
I need an answer," said Regis. Crossing her fingers, the contestant said,
"C: The cuckoo." "Is that your final answer?" asked Regis. "Yes, that is
my final answer." Two minutes later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that
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.
"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because
of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire. And do
you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you answered
the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the way... 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.
