Parodies and Appearances (WWTBAM/U.S. version)

The success of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (U.S. version) has provided plenty of opportunities for various shows and movies to parody or have their characters make appearances on Millionaire as a (sub)plot.

Parodies

Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth

In this Nintendo DS, Android & iOS video game from 2009 by Capcom, while being interrogated by protagonist Miles Edgeworth, the smuggling ring leader establishes an alibi by stating that he was watching a play at the king of a killing. Upon noticing a contradiction in their statements, Edgeworth states "The special move today [as part of the play] was the 'Early Summer Rain Jab', Is That Your Final Answer?', in reference to the shows' catchphrase.

The Amanda Show

The recurring skit on the show was called "So You Wanna Win Five Dollars?" hosted by Tina (Amanda Bynes) the contestant (usually a character from another recurring skit on the show) who isn't very bright, has to answer three questions along with the final question being only worth $5.00.

Animaniacs (2020 version)

From the November 20, 2020 episode, in the segment called "Anima-Nyet", the show was briefly spoofed here as Who Wants to Be a Oligarch?.

The Assistant

In the episode "Welcome to the Assistant, Now Go Home", had a spoof a Millionaire as Who Wants to be Andy's Assistant? (mostly referring to Andy Dick).

Between the Lions

In the episode "Hay Day", a troll charges Lionel, Leona, and Fay their belongings to help Fay spin two rooms of hay to gold. However, he agrees to return everything if they guess his name by day's end. At the end of the day, Fay plays a Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?-like spoof with the four choices being A: Rumpelmeyers, B: Rupertpupkin, C: Regisphilbin and D: Rumpelstiltskin. After some thinking, she goes for D, which is correct, much to the troll's disappointment. Ray then thanks Lionel, Leona and Gus, who had figured it out and told her beforehand, for helping her and says that, "You were my lifelines".

Cartoon Network

In this 2001 promo for The Powerpuff Girls (1998 version), the PPG's arch nemesis Mojo Jojo is sitting in the Hot Seat when he is trying to answer a question {i.e. One of these is not a cheese... A.) Gruyere, B.) Gouda, C.) Gorgonzola, D.) Garagiola}. Jojo ponders about whether the answer he chooses is his final answer. The unnamed host (possibly sounding like Philbin) then reminds him that he has one more lifeline, but then, he thinks about whether he wants to use it or not. The host did not directly say what lifeline that was, but he mentioned that, "Perhaps, someone you'd like to call!", hinting that it was "Phone-a-Friend". Next, Jojo began talking about what he could do with the lifeline. The commercial then cuts to the girls themselves (i.e. Blossom, Bubbles & Buttercup) who are watching the show at home as Blossom frustratedly says "Jeez Luis! Can You Believe This Guy?" then Buttercup says that its "About Time Already, for Cryin' Out Loud!".

NOTE: Though it was never revealed, the correct one was D.) Garagiola

The Cat&Birdie Warneroonie PinkyBrainy Big Cartoonie Show

This Kids WB show had its own spoof called Who Wants to Be a Millooneyaire?.

Disney

In October 2001, the Disney website once featured a online game called Who Wants to be a Villionaire? (parody of the show's title) which contains games that were hosted by 13 famous classic Disney villains (i.e. Cruella DeVille from 101 Dalmatians [1961 version], The Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1937 version], Maleficant from Sleeping Beauty [1959 version], Gaston from Beauty and the Beast [1991 version], Scar from The Lion King [1994 version], Claude Frollo from The Hunchback of Norte Dame, Yzma from The Emperor's New Groove, Hades from Hercules [1997 version], Jafar from Aladdin [1992 version], Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland [1951 version], Lady Tremaine from Cinderella [1950 version], Ursula from The Little Mermaid [1989 version] and Captain Hook from Peter Pan [1953 version]) asking questions about their famous movies. While the gameplay is exactly like the original online game. the lifelines differ just slightly: 50:50 and Ask the Audience remains the same, but Phone a Friend is replaced with Phone a Fiend (in order to reflect the games' main theme in particular) with DeVille as the "fiend". The milestones are referred to as "Gravestones" (also as a reflection of the games' main theme).

Friends of the People

In the 2015 episode called "Black Mad Men", it was briefly spoofed as part of a "million-dollar game show heist" with former Cash Cab host Ben Bailey making a cameo appearance.

Futurama

In the 2010 episode "The Duh-Vinci Code", Philip J. Fry (voiced by Billy West) appears as a contestant on the parody of this show called "Who Dares to Be a Millionaire?" hosted by Morbo (voiced by Maurice Lamarche) but misses on the first question as Professor Farnsworth (also voiced by West) berates him for his stupidity.

Let's Make a Deal (Brady)

This had a recurring mini-game called Who Wants to Answer Multiple-Choice Questions for Cash and Prizes? where contestants have to answer three general knowledge multiple choice questions for cash. Each question contained three answers. When contestants were to confirm their responses, Brady would ask "Is that your definitive response?" (similar to "Is that your final answer?" on Millionaire) Each correct response was worth $500. However, choosing a wrong answer at any time automatically ended the question round. Afterward, contestants could risk the cash on one of two curtains in hopes of winning a bigger prize (usually a car).

The Lion King 1 1/2

In 2004, from the DVD, there is a special featured game called Who Wants to Be King of the Jungle? (parody of the show's title). While the format is very similar to the regular gameplay of Millionaire, the questions are shortened to ten instead of fifteen. There are two lifelines that are different in this version as well. The 50:50 lifeline stays the same. The two different lifelines are "Poll the Herd" (Ask the Audience) and "Phone-an-Animal" (Phone-a-Friend). The viewer plays as Timon trying to help him be "King of the Jungle". Also, Timon plays for grub not cash. Former host Meredith Vieira does make an appearance as host in this special feature. The questions are Lion King related. Pumba also makes an appearance. One of the Phone-an-Animal (Phone-a-Friend) choices is Pumba (despite Vieira saying you can call any animal if you're stuck on a question) as he wins food (in the case "grubs") each time he gets a question right instead of cash.

MAD TV (1995-09)

The first one airing November 13, 1999 was a Lorraine Swanson skit (played by Mo Collins). The second one airing February 12, 2000 as Who Wants to Be the President? while the third one airing February 24, 2001 as a "Celebrity Edition". The fourth and final one airing March 20, 2004 in a "revitalized format". Only the first skit featured Alex Borstein and fourth skit featured Frank Caliendo portraying Philbin, while the second and third skits featured the late Regis Philbin portraying himself as the host.

MAD (magazine)

The formerly popular satire magazine featured a Millionaire parody in Issue #329 (April 2000) as Boobs Want to Be a Millionaire written by Desmond Devlin and illustrated by Gary Hallgren, the parody was hosted by "Rhesus Pillbin" (Regis Philbin).

Mysterious Phenomena of the Unexplained

Episode #2 of this short-lived Looney Tunes webtoon series airing January 1, 2002 has a parody of the show as Who Wants to Be a Martian-Aire? hosted by Marvin the Martian with Elmer Fudd as the abducted contestant. The only difference here is that Fudd has three multiple choice styled answers to choose from instead of four from the actual series.

Pookie Poo

The internet cartoon of the late '90s had a spoof of Millionaire where the self-titled main character appears on the show.

The Rosie O'Donnell Show

The talk show featured various episodes of game segments such as Who Wants to Win a Fridgidaire? and Who's More Addicted to Millionaire?.

Saturday Night Live/SNL

The first one originally aired November 6, 1999 with its original title. The second one originally aired December 4, 1999 as Who Wants to Eat? and the third one aired May 6, 2000 as a "Celebrity Edition", all three of these skit featured Darrell Hammond portraying the late Regis Philbin. However, the fourth and final skit originally aired April 24, 2010 was based on the syndicated version featuring Kenan Thompson portraying Steve Harvey.

Sleep Now in the Fire

This was in the 1999 music video by the political rock band Rage Against the Machine. Here it was called Who Wants to be Filthy F#&%ing Rich? where contestants matched answers to the band's political theme, usually with the contestants getting it wrong. Towards the end of the video, a homeless man answers the presumed question correctly and handing back the money being given to him, the contestant storms the stage as he tosses the money in the air.

Slumdog Millionaire

This British-Indian theme movie from 2008 features an Indian man named Jamal Malik (Dev Patel, Tanay Chheeda [as a teenager] then Ayush Mahesh Khedaekar [as a child respectively]) trying to win 10 rupees, but before he can do such a thing, he has to go on one big journey.

Studio C

In a 2013 episode, the show was parodied in the Millionaire skit.

Vern Fonk Insurance

In a 2007 commercial for the local auto insurance company called Vern Fonk, the show is parodied here as Who Wants to Be a Vernonaire? (the show title is a parody starring Vern Fonk), the commercial features him as both the host and contestant (played by the late Robert Thielke) in a dual role. The commercial starts with him shouting "Welcome back to Who Wants to Be a Vernonaire?" the host then ask the contestant that "You got tickets and a DWI, now who are you gonna call?" (a.k.a. Who do you call?) as the four choices were: A. Jack Roberts, B. Sunny Kobi-Cook, C. Dick Balch and D. Vern Fonk. The contestant then says "Ah Dick Balch It'll be Vern Fonk uhh huh" the host asked "Is that your final answer?" who responded back to him as "That's my final answer!", later the host then shouts that "YOU'RE A VERNONAIRE!" as the contestant celebrates his victory due to him getting the correct answer, the host then claims that "You got fire in your pants Vernie. Oh, man!" the contestant then says the rhyming slogan "And remember to honk when you drive by Vern Fonk, yes!".

Veronica

In December 2000, the Archie Comics spinoff from issue #106, parodied the show (mainly its front cover) as Who Wants to Win a Million Bucks?.

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Baha Men

Millionaire was given a brief homage in the famous 2000 music video by Baha Men. It was featured in the beginning of the video just before the song starts. The security guard was watching the show on TV as the question was "Who Let the Dogs Out?".

Who Wants to Beat Up a Millionaire?

A PC-CD ROM for Windows 95/98 game and Sega Dreamcast video game created by Hypnotix was released in 2000 by Simon & Schuster Interactive. The host was Egregious Philbin (parody of formerly late host Regis Philbin) and the object of the game was to answer multiple choice questions correctly with the use of a buzzer. Following this, the player assaults another player's character. The main objective was to assault another player sufficiently so that they drop off the game's ladder (a parody of the real show's question ladder) The last player is the winner.

Who Wants to Be a Chamillionaire?

In 2008, a website called "BeYoOwnBoss" did a hip hop style online cartoon parodied the show hosted by one-hit-wonder rapper Chamillionaire.

You Don't Know Jack (game show)

In the first episode from 2001, Troy Stevens (played by Paul Reubens) gets a call from former host Regis Philbin on tips on how to be a good game show host. Later another episode parodied the title as Who Wants to Marry a Farm Animal?.

Appearances

Celebrity Deathmatch

In the 2000 episode called "Johnny & Debbie ...in Love?", a fight between former host the late Regis Philbin where he tries to dispatch Chuck Woolery (who was representing Greed at the time and also the former original host of Wheel of Fortune) in the segment called "Who Wants to be a Dead Game Show Host?".

Family Guy

Brain Griffin play Kaun Banega Crorepati

In the 2016 episode "Road to India", Brain Griffin (voiced by Seth McFarlane) becomes a contestant on the India version called Kaun Banega Crorepati. However, the host looked younger than Amitabh Bachchan, the name of gameshow was Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, not Kaun Banega Crorepati, and the graphic was similar to the Thai version (the answer area is round, not rhombus). Griffin answer incorrectly on the first question and won nothing.

Fresh Off the Boat

In the 2019 episode called "Lou Wants to Be a Millionaire" (the episode title is a reference to the show itself), where Louis Huang (played by Randall Park) scores a spot on the show as a contestant, former host, the late Regis Philbin makes a cameo appearance in the episode.

GSN

In 2006, Millionaire was ranked #5 as one of The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time. This special was hosted by Bil Dwyer.

High Society

A song for the 1956 film was also called Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? written by Cole Porter where it was introduced by Frank Sinatra and Celeste Holm. Although the song has nothing to do with the show, the title was the inspiration for the title of the game show franchise.

Oochie Wally

In the 2001 rap song, Nas claims that its "Sort of like the game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", But my name ain't "Regis".

Robot Chicken

In the 2007 episode called "Robot Chicken's Half-Assed Christmas Special", Hermey the Elf was a contestant on Millionaire.

The Sopranos

In the 2002 episode "The Weight", both Tony (played by the late James Gandolfini) and Junior (Dominic Chianese) Soprano watches a contestant blows his $1,000 question and Junior comments on how the "poor prick" used up all of his lifelines. The contestant was Sal Mecca.

Spin City

In the 1999 episode "How to Bury a Millionaire", Paul Lassiter (played by Richard Kind) is a contestant on the show and ends up winning the million dollars at the end by guessing each and every question right. Former host the late Regis Philbin makes a cameo appearance in the episode. Surprisingly, this episode was aired three days before John Carpenter won the million.

Street Smarts

In a 2002 episode, the syndicated comedy game show had a "Win A Million" week.

Through the Wire

In the 2003 rap song by Kanye West, West references the show's title and lifelines by claiming that he's "Trying to be a Millionaire, How I use two lifelines".

TV Guide

In 2001, the magazine ranked Millionaire #7 as one of The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time. Prior to this, Millionaire was ranked #6 as one of The 60 Greatest Game Shows of All Time in 2013.

Wheel of Fortune

In this episode that aired on September 18, 2001; one of the puzzles was "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" under the category of "Title". After contestant Cindy Pollard solves it, Pat Sajak comments on the lack of a question mark in spite of Jeopardy! having an exclamation point.

Win Ben Stein's Money

In this episode that aired on March 28, 2000; the show had a tribute to Millionaire since both of the shows have been produced by Valleycrest Productions and have been distributed by Buena Vista Television (now Disney-ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution) at the time along with Stein's former co-host Jimmy Kimmel hosting the actual ABC Primetime celebrity-driven reboot twenty years later in the future of 2020.