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The show, Who wants to be a Millionaire started airing in Nigeria on NTA by the last quarter of last year and by now has become one of the most interesting on-air quiz shows in the country.
The show, Who wants to be a Millionaire started airing in Nigeria on NTA by the last quarter of last year and by now has become one of the most interesting on-air quiz shows in the country. In over 100 countries of the world where it has aired, the show tagged the global phenomena is driven by modern technology and the brilliance of the presenter, as the combination provides pulsating drama and hair-splitting tension. In this interview Hi Tech Editor, Okoh Aihe, approached presenter of the Nigerian version, Mr. Frank Edoho, to find out how it has been putting people on the hot seat for the millions. You will find his response very interesting.
How are you doing on the Who wants to be a Millionaire show?
Well, It's been a roller coaster ride all the way. I have been given the privilege and honour to anchor the world's greatest TV Quiz show in Nigeria and due to the tutelage of the international producer of the show, I have (to a certain extent, at least) been able to chisel a character for the host and at the same time, stick to the script of the international format.
I also have garnered the type of experience that the average broadcaster can only dream of, in terms of presentation and production, so I would say that I am doing well. It's a bit surreal, being the Host of Who Wants to be A Millionaire,WWTBAM, but I guess I'm okay.
When you went for the audition with supposedly some big names, did you ever think that you will have a chance to present this show that has become a global phenomenon?
Absolutely not. I was informed about the audition by a friend and I actually missed it. The executive producer Mr. Femi Ayeni wasn't sure he had found what he wanted in a host, so God bless him, he wanted another audition to occur, just in a last ditch effort to ferret out the host he had in mind. I came for that audition and was given a script to digest. Now, I didn't know that the script was supposed to be crammed, next thing I know, the script was taken away from me and LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Well I tried to get the job done and the rest is history. Yes big names in broadcasting were involved, about four of my role models came for the trials but, I did the audition without thinking of those big names involved and I got chosen, not because I was better than those legends in broadcasting, but because I was closest to the character GET TV wanted for the Host.
As a presenter, what are the things that thrill youabout the show?
The attention to detail in the production of an episode of WWTBAM is what excites me. Millionaire is produced in over 100 countries and they all stick to the very same template worldwide. The lights are the same,(both generic & intelligent), the sets have the same architectural blueprint, the gothic soundtrack is used and most of all, the sequence of the show is congruent with all versions worldwide. So, the ability of the crew to put together all these elements at the right place and at the right time is tremendous. At first it was difficult to assemble a crew good enough to handle a fast-paced show, but with a lot of studying of the format, we were able to pull it off and we are aiming for the stars!
Are you okay with the standard so far?
Of course not! In Nigeria it's very grueling and difficult to produce a show of Millionaire's magnitude due to the constraints that abound. We don't have the technical support for this kind of TV production so corners have to be cut. On the contrary, we still have a product that is already acclaimed the best show in Nigeria, but GET TV is striving to make this show a thing of pride to Nigerians who would watch Millionaire and say "was that produced in Nigeria? Absolutely amazing"
Not many people are happy that there has been no major winner. Are the questions deliberately designed to be difficult and then frustrate people from winning?
Now let me say that the questions are relatively easy and contestants grappling with them means that as a nation we have disposed of our reading habits and quest to know what's happening around us. We should be vigilant and ready to learn more.
If the questions are made easier, the purpose of knowledge through WWTBAM would be defeated. A funny thing happened during a recording, when a contestant was asked what is used to play the game of Squash with options- SHUTTLECOCK, CUE, JAVELIN, BALL. Now the contestant was confused between BALL and SHUTTLECOCK, so he went for the lifeline , Ask-the audience. Can you believe some people in the audience went for JAVELIN? We really need to get back to our rightful place in terms of general knowledge
With all kinds of promotions going on now, did you find it difficult selling these idea to your sponsors? What really sets this show apart from the rest?
The Executive Producer, Mr.Femi Ayeni is really the gladiator behind the odyssey for sponsors. He had even gotten some sponsors before the set was constructed. This shows you that the WWTBAM formula is a success and sponsors should not even wait to be approached. The show is different from other millionaire promotions because they are raffle draws and sweepstakes. Who Wants to be a Millionaire is a show that could make anyone above 18, a millionaire. The show has a lot of drama to it, Laughter, Suspense, Surprise, Shock, Happiness and Joy. Immediately someone is on the hot seat, millions of Nigerians identify with that person by saying, Good for You or What a Blockhead! Modestly speaking, if I were a prospective sponsor I would grovel to be a part of the phenemenon that is WWTBAM. The show is absolutely amazing.
What likely direction is the show going to take in the New Year?
In the new year, the show is going to be upgraded in terms of production and we are modifying our infrastructure to ensure that viewers are entertained to the fullest. We are going to do specials of the show starting with a Valentine's day special for couples. The message we have for Nigerians is this, if you think you have the gusto to take a trip with me on the hot seat and win stupendous amounts of money, then by all means BRING IT ON!