Barbie
04-14-2003, 08:16 PM
I know at least one of you is a monkey lover.
This money is NOT Billy Bush from AccessHollywood
Monkey will decide $1B-winner on new TV show
HEY HEY WERE THE MONKEYS! DAMMIT (http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/04/10/62110-ap.html)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The evolution of television continues: a $1-billion prize will be at stake in a WB special and a monkey may help decide if there's a winner.
Play for a Billion will be the culmination of a Pepsi summer promotion in which contestants have the chance to play for the top prize on a live, two-hour show airing in September. The program, to be produced by Michael Davies (Who Wants to be a Millionaire), represents a partnership between WB and Pepsi-Cola North America.
The two companies are also teaming on a summer variety show, Pepsi Smash, which will feature performances by top musical acts, WB said in a release. The six-week series will begin airing in July.
Play for a Billion guarantees a $1-million winner and a shot at the grand prize for 10 contestants. The contest starts May 1 with the sale of Pepsi products that could lead to a chance to be on the TV special.
Details of the show are under discussion, executive producer Matti Leshem said Thursday. One proposal involves having a monkey put previously selected numbers in an order that must be matched for the $1-billion prize, he said.
"What could be more random than that?" Leshem said.
He's hoping to have a capuchin monkey do the job. There was some controversy surrounding the idea, Leshem said, refusing to elaborate. There are also those promoting an orangutan as a better, more intelligent choice, he said.
There is a one-in-1,000 chance the $1 billion will be awarded, said WB and Pepsi. The winner could choose either a 40-year annuity or a lump-sum payment representing the annuity's current value.
WB and Pepsi previously announced plans for a variety show that would blend advertising into the program in place of commercial breaks. Plans for such a show are now on hold, a Pepsi spokesman said Thursday.
This money is NOT Billy Bush from AccessHollywood
Monkey will decide $1B-winner on new TV show
HEY HEY WERE THE MONKEYS! DAMMIT (http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/WeirdNews/2003/04/10/62110-ap.html)
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The evolution of television continues: a $1-billion prize will be at stake in a WB special and a monkey may help decide if there's a winner.
Play for a Billion will be the culmination of a Pepsi summer promotion in which contestants have the chance to play for the top prize on a live, two-hour show airing in September. The program, to be produced by Michael Davies (Who Wants to be a Millionaire), represents a partnership between WB and Pepsi-Cola North America.
The two companies are also teaming on a summer variety show, Pepsi Smash, which will feature performances by top musical acts, WB said in a release. The six-week series will begin airing in July.
Play for a Billion guarantees a $1-million winner and a shot at the grand prize for 10 contestants. The contest starts May 1 with the sale of Pepsi products that could lead to a chance to be on the TV special.
Details of the show are under discussion, executive producer Matti Leshem said Thursday. One proposal involves having a monkey put previously selected numbers in an order that must be matched for the $1-billion prize, he said.
"What could be more random than that?" Leshem said.
He's hoping to have a capuchin monkey do the job. There was some controversy surrounding the idea, Leshem said, refusing to elaborate. There are also those promoting an orangutan as a better, more intelligent choice, he said.
There is a one-in-1,000 chance the $1 billion will be awarded, said WB and Pepsi. The winner could choose either a 40-year annuity or a lump-sum payment representing the annuity's current value.
WB and Pepsi previously announced plans for a variety show that would blend advertising into the program in place of commercial breaks. Plans for such a show are now on hold, a Pepsi spokesman said Thursday.