A contestant, Sally, 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
$25,000 milestone money.
And as she suspected 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
D) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. She had used up
her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained
was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline.
She hoped she would not have to use it because........ Her friend
was,........ well, a blonde.
But she 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 any answer except the one that
her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that
would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded
with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help
but be convinced.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, 'C: The cuckoo.'
'Is that your final answer?'
'Yes, that is my final answer.'
'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.
'Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you, ' said the contestant. '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.'
Sally fainted.
final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would
win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the
$25,000 milestone money.
And as she suspected 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
D) the vulture
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. She had used up
her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained
was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline.
She hoped she would not have to use it because........ Her friend
was,........ well, a blonde.
But she 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 any answer except the one that
her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that
would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded
with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help
but be convinced.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, 'C: The cuckoo.'
'Is that your final answer?'
'Yes, that is my final answer.'
'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.
'Jeni, I just do not know how to thank you, ' said the contestant. '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.'
Sally fainted.
