Millionaire game shows take love of money to extremes
Kelly Hendricks California Poly State
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — By now, we've all probably seen "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Then came FOX's "Greed" and NBC's "Twenty-One." If enough wasn't enough, FOX is now pushing the limit by presenting a new millionaire game show with a different spin: "Who Wants to MARRY a Millionaire."
What's next? How about "How Many Millions of People are Sick of Hearing About These Corny Shows?"
OK, that was a bit hypocritical. I admit it, I'm hooked too. I honestly spent last Saturday night glued to the couch, dedicating my time to Regis and the many contestants who work their way up to nearly half a million dollars and end up losing most of it because they give in to their greed. They go for the million by answering tricky Titanic trivia questions (another overdone topic) and being confident that the answer is, "I Will Always Love You" by Celine Dion (which had to have been the most entertaining answer of the whole show).
FOX is probably thinking that this million-dollar game show fad will never die out. The network is presenting its "Marry a Millionaire" show this February, according to USA Today. The paper said the show has selected a millionaire groom, along with 50 women competing to become his bride.
First of all, this whole millionaire game show thing is like the Taco Bell Chihuahua — it will get old very, very quickly.
Secondly, I'm not a feminist by any means, but don't these 50 women have any self-respect? And why is the groom the millionaire? Why not have the bride be the millionaire and have 50 grooms competing to marry her?!
Finally, what kind of guy is going to want a woman who is only interested in his money? I'm sure some guys wouldn't care if she was gorgeous and well-endowed, but women, like men, do get old and wrinkly — what then?
I was always taught that you should marry for love, not for money. What is this saying about our society, and what kind of message is it communicating? In a money- and possession-driven society, I think the last thing we need is a game show promoting love of money.
The choice to tune in to the show is entirely upon each individual. For me, however, I'm vowing not to. No more television shows involving either "Who Wants to ..." or "Millionaire." I'm going to drop them like a bad habit, peel the couch off my back and get into the real world.
And yes, that is my final answer.
Kelly Hendricks is a student at California Poly State University. This column first appeared in the Mustang Daily at California Poly State U. and is reprinted here courtesy of the U-Wire.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, January 21, 2000
