Ellen Gaines, a gym teacher from Dunnsville, Virginia, was a contestant on the U.S. version of the show on August 16, 2009 and won nothing after incorrectly answering her $1,000 question. She was the only contestant on the 10th Anniversary Primetime Celebration to leave empty-handed.
WWTBAM Run[]
Fastest Finger Question[]
| Fastest Finger Question | |
| Put these Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover models in the order in which they first appeared on the cover, starting with the earliest. | |
| ⬥ A: Tyra Banks | ⬥ B: Christie Brinkley |
| ⬥ C: Bar Refaeli | ⬥ D: Elle Macpherson |
| Correct order: BDAC. 6 of the 9 remaining contestants got it right, but Ellen was the fastest in 5.45 seconds. |
Ellen's Run to the Million[]
| $100 (1 of 15) - 0:15 Time Limit Category: Checking In | |
| In fancy hotels, it is traditional for what tantalizing treat to be left on your pillow? | |
| ⬥ A: A pretzel | ⬥ B: An apple |
| ⬥ C: A mint | ⬥ D: A photo of Wolf Blitzer |
| $200 (2 of 15) - 0:15 Time Limit Category: Kitchen Gadgets | |
| A "spud spike" is a kitchen gadget commonly used to prepare which of the following? | |
| ⬥ A: Baked potato | ⬥ B: Macaroni and cheese |
| ⬥ C: Onion rings | ⬥ D: French toast |
| $300 (3 of 15) - 0:15 Time Limit Category: Jungle Book | |
| The 2008 autobiography "Me Cheeta" was "written" by Tarzan's famous sidekick, who is what kind of animal? | |
| ⬥ A: Tiger | ⬥ B: Elephant |
| ⬥ C: Snake | ⬥ D: Chimpanzee |
| $500 (4 of 15) - 0:15 Time Limit Category: Heaven on Earth | |
| Appropriately, the Spanish word for heaven, "cielo," is also the word for what? | |
| ⬥ A: Lake | ⬥ B: Forest |
| ⬥ C: Sky | ⬥ D: Cave |
| $1,000 (5 of 15) - 0:15 Time Limit Category: Crossword Clues | |
| In a New York Times Election Day crossword puzzle, which of these answers had the clue "Blue State" and not "Red State"? | |
| ⬥ A: Melancholy | ⬥ B: Communism |
| ⬥ C: Outrage | ⬥ D: Insolvency |
| Ellen's remaining categories were "Mr. Yankovic," "Googly Eyes," "I Love Ü," "On the Record," "Ready to Rumble," "Sports Stars," "Great Idea!," "The Two Davids," "Goodnight Moon," and "Travels with George."
Total Winnings: $0 |
Trivia[]
- Ellen Gaines received a "Total Winnings: $0" graphic message that was retained from the recent syndicated Clock Format, which was used for the 10th Anniversary Celebration, rather than the "Total Prize Money: $0" graphic message that the $0 winners from the earlier primetime era received when they won nothing.
- She is also the second contestant from a special Millionaire run to win nothing, the other being Dede Bradley from Super Millionaire.
| Preceded by Rebecca Kesler |
U.S. Contestant (10th Anniversary Special) Ellen Gaines |
Succeeded by Leah Asbury |