Sam Spencer, a graduate student from Champaign, IL, was a contestant who appeared in Season 17 of the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? on January 25-28, 2019. He left with $5,000 after he missed the $50,000 question.
Sam's Run to the Million[]
$500 (1 of 14) - Not Timed
Even when it's viewed from a telescope millions of miles away, what does Britannica claim is "arguably the most sublime object in the solar system"?
⬥ A: Chris Hemsworth
⬥ B: Saturn
⬥ C: A Big Mac
⬥ D: The new 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan
$1,000 (2 of 14) - Not Timed
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spends 62% of their money on just three things. Which of these is NOT one of them?
⬥ A: Housing
⬥ B: Transportation
⬥ C: Bail
⬥ D: Food
$2,000 (3 of 14) - Not Timed
Which of these is NOT the name of one of history's most powerful ruling empires?
⬥ A: Persian Empire
⬥ B: Holy Roman Empire
⬥ C: Ottoman Empire
⬥ D: Galactic Empire
$3,000 (4 of 14) - Not Timed
With his "Achy Breaky Song" in 1993 and "Party in the CIA" in 2011, "Weird Al" Yankovic parodied both a father and daughter with what last name?
⬥ A: Sinatra
⬥ B: Tyler
⬥ C: Cyrus
⬥ D: Cole
$5,000 (5 of 14) - Not Timed
Due to the nature of the footwork involved, what sport's shoes commonly feature spikes in the heel?
⬥ A: Bowling
⬥ B: High jump
⬥ C: Beach volleyball
⬥ D: Wrestling
$7,000 (6 of 14) - Not Timed
Both a type of rice cake, bánh chung and bánh day are traditionally eaten during Tet, the New Year's celebrations in what country?
⬥ A: China
⬥ B: Vietnam
⬥ C: Thailand
⬥ D: South Korea
Sam says that rice cakes imply Asian cuisine. He knows that Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich, and the Tet Offensive was part of the Vietnam War,
$10,000 (7 of 14) - Not Timed
In the world of musical instruments, sustin, una corda and sostenuto are the names of the three standard what?
⬥ A: Valves on a trumpet
⬥ B: Holes on a flute
⬥ C: Sides of a triangle
⬥ D: Pedals on a grand piano
Sam doesn't know of any musical significance of the sides of a triangle. He has enough information to make his final answer.
Question of the Day[]
Question of the Day
"Navis Amoris" is a loose Latin translation of what classic TV show's title?
⬥ A: Love, American Style
⬥ B: Fantasy Island
⬥ C: The Love Boat
⬥ D: Family Ties
The following comes from KTRK in Houston.
$20,000 (8 of 14) - Not Timed
Despite being one of the world's richest men, who admitted in his autobiography that he installed a pay phone for his guests to use when they visited his house? 'Ask the Audience' lifeline used
Sam says this is a tricky one. It had to be a time when pay phones were a thing. He decides to use a lifeline and asks the audience. Sam was leaning toward the audience's answer. The klaxon called time and Sam would be back on Monday and with two lifelines left.
$30,000 (9 of 14) - Not Timed
Of the U.N.'s official list of member nations, which of the following letters is the only one that can be found at the END of any country's name? 'Plus One' and '50:50' lifelines used
⬥ A: F
⬥ B: G
⬥ C: P
⬥ D: Z
Sam thinks this is a good time to call down his Plus One, Paul. He is in the same boat as Sam, with him trying to run through the names of countries and all. Paul suggests using the 50:50, which eliminates A and C. Suddenly, a light bulb goes off in Sam's head: Luxembourg.
$50,000 (10 of 14) - Not Timed
In Britain, a person known as an "Agony Aunt" has what occupation?
⬥ A: Midwife
⬥ B: Advice columnist
⬥ C: Dental hygienist
⬥ D: Matchmaker
Declaring that he could live with himself if he got it wrong, Sam says A: Midwife. The correct answer, though, was B: Advice columnist.
