Re: Millionaire and the Hot seat
Johnno and JSW.
A lot depends on one's attitude*and nerve.* My formal education ended at age 15, like many on this site.* Informally, I spent a large (then) part of my income taking home study courses, to finish with the equivalent of a a US high school certificate.* I went on paying for home study college courses*in English and business math.
So, I had a good attitude, later in life, as far as continuing education.
Now to what I call nerve; I suffer from what is called in everyday English, "stage fright". Plus, I am a corrected sufferer of stuttering.* It's impossible for me to stand before an audience and a microphone and engage in public speaking.* I am the one behind the throne whispering advice and solutions in the King's ear.* The plotter and schemer, not the mouthpiece.
I was once forced by circumstances to be the Master of Ceremonies at an awards dinner.* My first part of the ceremony was to introduce the head table, about 12 people including my wife and myself.* I was given a card with the names and job titles of the ten and the words "Self" and "Spouse".* All went well until*I got to the last one, the person sitting to my left it said "Spouse".*
I said something like .*"...and my wife........(duh!)"* I then knew what "a pregnant pause" meant.* My then wife said "Marlene".* Unbeknownst to me the live mike in front of me picked it up and also me repeating "...Marlene.* The room dissolved into a roar of laughter. And boy did I catch it later when we got home.
I'm sure these candidates on quiz shows went through all sorts of screening tests for general knowledge and passed with flying colors. The show's producers sure don't want a a bunch of duds, neither would the ad sponsors. My quess is they came down with stage fright.
Cheers, Rodney
Rodney David Richard Mills
R602188 Gravesend