It seems like every few months one of the networks trots out a brand new, shiny game show where contestants compete for ludicrous amounts of money. The newest of the new is Fox’s Million Dollar Money Drop, and as these things go, this one is strangely addicting. Here’s the basic plot. The contestants are given a million dollars. They are then asked seven multiple choice questions one at a time. For each, they must place all of the money a top one or more answers. One time runs out, the bottom drops out of the incorrect answers, leaving only the money remaining atop the correct answer. Sounds awesome, right? Unfortunately, the less than a week old game show is already beset by controversy.
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, Gabe Okoye and his girlfriend Brittany May, contestants on Monday’s premiere episode, were sent home after they (in)correctly answered the following question: which went on sale to the general public first: Sony’s Walkman, Post-It Notes or The Macintosh computer? The couple guessed Post-Its and were given the boot, but in reality, Post-Its hit the market a full two years (1977) before the Walkman (1979).
After an internet firestorm, Fox has finally addressed the snafu publically, offering the pair a chance to play again. It’s unclear whether they’ll take Fox up on the offer, but it’s hard to imagine anyone turning down a chance to win a million dollars in less than an hour.
