7. Who Wants to Be A Millionaire-John Carpenter Phones a Friend
On November 19, 1999, IRS Officer John Carpenter made Game Show history by becoming the first contestant to win the top prize on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, after correctly responding that Richard Nixon had appeared on Laugh-In. Before claiming his prize, however, Carpenter threw his audience a curveball by requesting to use his Phone-A-Friend lifeline. When his father was put on the phone, instead of speedily reading the question, he announced to his dad that he didnt need help, but simply wanted to tell him that his son was about to become a million dollars richer (although as someone very familiar with taxes, John would later state that the money he actually earned wasnt a life-changing amount). Simply winning the million dollars would have been remarkable, but by feigning uncertainty, Carpenter assured that his victory would be more memorable than those of the many wins made after his. If youre curious, heres Nixons aforementioned fine piece of six second comedy: