A contestant 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 $32,000 milestone
money.
And as she suspected it would be, 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; or
D) the vulture?"
The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And
she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50
Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained
was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline, and the woman had hoped
against hope that she would not have to use it. Mainly
because the only friend that she knew would be home happened
to be a blonde. But the contestant had no alternative. She
called her blonde 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 Regis any
answer except the one that her friend had given her. And
considering that her friend was a blonde, that would seem to
be the logical thing to do. On the other hand -- the blonde
had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the
contestant could not help but be persuaded.
"I need an answer," said Regis.
Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."
"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis.
"Yes, that is my final answer."
Two minutes later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that
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. "Jenny, I just do not know how
to thank you," said the contestant. "Because of your knowing
the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire.
And do you want to know something? It was the assuredness
with which you answered the question that convinced me to go
with your choice. By the way . . . . . how did you happen to
know the right answer?"
"Oh, come on," said Jenny (the blonde). "Everybody knows
that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks!"
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