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Secret Millionaire

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: Other Reality Shows ARCHIVES: Archives for 2008 - 3: Secret Millionaire users admin

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Texasdeb
Member

05-23-2003

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texasdeb a private message Print Post    
Can't believe there's not a thread for this. It's on Fox & it's a good watch.

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 6:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Anyone else watching? It starts tonight.

http://www.fox.com/programming/shows/new/secret_millionaire.htm

as if I need another reality show to watch!

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 6:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
heh, we started our threads one minute apart! I'll join ya here!

Cablejockey
Member

12-27-2001

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 6:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cablejockey a private message Print Post    
-I'm watching. It seems like a good idea but wondering how they explain the camera crew. At the beginning of the show, it says that the millionaires are living undercover. When the father and son went into Linda's and Kathy's houses, it was obvious someone was there filming it, yet nobody mentioned it! Also when the cheques were handed out, nobody seemed suspicious or reluctant to take the money from two guys they never met before. They must have explained everything and then had them accept the money. It seems too set up how they bang into these needy deserving people too. But at least someone is getting some money out of it.

Texasdeb
Member

05-23-2003

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 6:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texasdeb a private message Print Post    
I think they said something about explaining the cameras as some kind of documentary film. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Csnog
Member

07-18-2002

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 7:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Csnog a private message Print Post    
Yes Tex, they explained that they were filming a documentray.

Cablejockey
Member

12-27-2001

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 7:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cablejockey a private message Print Post    
ok that makes more sense.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 7:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I watched, but quit 45 minutes into the second program. Couldn't hold me. Doubt I'll watch again. Will simply be same thing every week.

Texasdeb
Member

05-23-2003

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 7:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texasdeb a private message Print Post    
Wow! The 2nd couple gave $300g's

the father/son couple only gave $125g's

Even though the father/son gave less, they touched my heart more than the husband/wife team.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 7:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Twinkie a private message Print Post    
I loved it! It reaffirms my belief that you can always find good people helping others even when they don't have much themselves. I also like seeing those who have a lot of money spending some of it to help.

Alib
Member

07-15-2000

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 8:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alib a private message Print Post    
Did anyone else notice that the three cheques were all dated 4/31/08? April only has 30 days!!

Shel
Member

07-27-2005

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 9:16 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shel a private message Print Post    
Nobody said you had to be smart to be a multi-millionaire... LOL. I didn't notice the date.

What I like best about this show is that these are private citizens giving aid to other people without the government forcing it on them. :-)

Kappy
Member

06-29-2002

Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 9:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kappy a private message Print Post    
I couldn't help but think of the commercial that lists the price of things and ends with something that is "priceless". Even though they gave thousands of dollars away, the lessons they learned from these people were truly priceless.

I stopped watching after the first hour because I didn't want to weep anymore.

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 12:10 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
i liked the first episode...

not so much the second episode.

i did, however, get so much more irritated with the government when the couple were driving past all those empty, still screwed up places in Louisiana. that's just not right. at all. more should have been done after three years...there's no excuse.

i would like to know, however, if these people (i think the husband hinted at giving to charities) already give to charities or if they are greedy people and never give...

and it would be awesome to do updates...see what happened to the families or even the millionaires, see if they still give.

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 12:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I didn't sense that anyone was greedy at all.. but often people at those income levels are actually quite busy and give in "easy", distant or more glamorous ways (such as charity balls, auctions, donations to the music center or ballet or local hospital but these people got to see what was being done on a personal level at grass roots and get some connection.

I liked that they were sent to relatively "local" areas where they might visit again. (Though the Newport Beach father/son could have found programs much closer to home within OC, but where they went they sure found deserving people too.)

The set-up is pretty artificial but still I liked this WAY better than the Oprah Big Give (though I liked the part of that that hopefully got things started in communities and grew the money) because at least it seems that it isn't ABOUT the givers and isn't about competition.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 5:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
the show felt very manipulated. I am so sure that the dad and son 'just happened' to be at the grocery store when the lady buying all the milk was behind them and these 2 guys that supposedly live a rich life would feel comfortable after only a day or 2 living as poor to just ask the lady why so much milk.

I dont think it was scripted but it didnt seem to be total reality.

Mammyyokum
Member

06-05-2005

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 6:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mammyyokum a private message Print Post    
I thought it was a good show.
I noticed that the food distribution site in the second segment was an AngelFood distribution.
That's something that's dear to my heart. I hope other people noticed it and if they're not familiar with the program, investigate and find out what it's all about.

Colordeagua
Member

10-25-2003

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 6:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Colordeagua a private message Print Post    
I thought it was awkward and uncomfortable when the givers "dressed up" before visiting the people whom they wanted to give to. Did the show want them to look more believable as millionaires? They could have just "cleaned up" and dressed in something very casual.

Lexie_girl
Member

07-30-2004

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 8:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lexie_girl a private message Print Post    
I dont think it was scripted but it didnt seem to be total reality.

I felt the same way... like it was semi-scripted (especially the way the cameras were already there on site when they arrived to tell them the truth and distribute the money).


Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 9:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Loved it! Wept through the entire first ep. 2nd ep was so-so. Will keep watching even though it DOES feel somewhat contrived and I definitely felt emotionally manipulated. But it's a terrific concept - the rich walking in the poor's shoes and then helping those they deem truly deserving.

Denecee
Member

09-05-2002

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Denecee a private message Print Post    
If the bank teller catches the date 4/31/08 before it gets deposited then the millionares will have to re-wrtie the check, I believe. or at least change the date and initial it.

Beckie03
Member

07-05-2007

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 12:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckie03 a private message Print Post    
ut often people at those income levels are actually quite busy and give in "easy", distant or more glamorous ways (such as charity balls, auctions, donations to the music center or ballet or local hospital

that's what i want to know. do they do that? i don't assume that they are greedy, i assume they give...i just want to know if they give...and not just assume that they do.

Kappy
Member

06-29-2002

Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 8:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Kappy a private message Print Post    
In the first episode, the checks were dated March 21st.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, December 05, 2008 - 5:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Secret Millionaire" predictably manipulative
AP LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – One way to describe Fox's "Secret Millionaire" is to call it "Lifestyles of the Poor and Anonymous."

In this reality series about faith, hope and charity, millionaires are taken to seedy sections of town to see how the other half (or is it three-fourths by now?) lives. The show premiered on Wednesday to better-than-expected ratings.

In each one-hour episode, a multimillionaire introduces himself and then, with spouse or child in tow, becomes downwardly mobile. They move into low-cost housing with just enough money to pay for their food and, at least, a few days' rent. An on-screen advisory says people they meet are told that the camera crews tagging after them are making a documentary on poverty.

In the next few days, they meet people in the neighborhood who are struggling to help others or, in one case, just to stay afloat with crushing medical bills. At week's end, they donate amounts that total at least $100,000 to people they met. Each donation is preceded by a confession that they lied about their financial circumstances and followed by hugs and teary eyes.

Like most reality shows, much of "Secret Millionaire" is carefully staged to maximize emotional manipulations. Credits list a half-dozen casting personnel and two set dressers. For those with speed-reading skills, a one-second advisory notes, "Contributions made on camera may not reflect the actual method of payment." Heaven only knows how many retakes of tearful scenes were done.

All that notwithstanding, there's still much to be said for this feel-good series. In the premiere, multimillionaire lawyer Greg, whose booming business specializes in bankruptcy and foreclosures, and his surfer son Cole quickly learn that there are a lot of good, hardworking people who, through no fault of their own, struggle daily for the basic necessities. Others with very little nonetheless share what they have with those even less fortunate.

Greg and Cole leave their posh life in Orange County, Calif., for a week in depressed Imperial Beach. They stay in a motel so cheap that even one of the cockroaches only has two legs. They meet a woman who became homeless after medical bills forced her from her house. They meet a family with two working parents, neither of whom has health insurance to pay for their young daughter with bone cancer. They prove these people don't just exist during political campaign seasons.

For the slumming millionaires, their personal contribution amount to much less than 1% of their net worth. Still, even this relatively modest amount, combined with images of those less fortunate, makes a powerful statement, particularly at this time of the year.

The series is scheduled at 8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting next week.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081205/tv_nm/us_television_secret

Jbw
Member

08-14-2006

Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 2:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jbw a private message Print Post    
I've watched the first three episodes and am kind of lukewarm about this series. First it's on FOX, so there has to be plenty of manipulation in it. I don't trust the accuracy of anything owned by Rupert Murdoch. Secondly, what's FOX contributing to help these people? Supposedly, the money donated is from these "secret millionaires" personal accounts. Nice touch, but can't FOX also match the funds up to a maximum of say $100K? It can't cost much money to produce this show.

To me, the best episode was the first one. The rich lawyer and his son were the most believable. In episode two, the chicken fingers magnate and his wife, though they donated a total of $300K to the people/charities (a higher amount that the secret millionaires donated in episodes 1 & 3 combined), seemed to be slightly fake. I don't know if it was the number of times we heard the name of his chicken fingers fast food business that turned me off. I got the vibe that they were doing it as much as to get free positive publicity for their business or setting him up for a future run for political office as they were to help others in need.

Episode three I liked until the end. "G", who allegedly is worth $300 million donated only $90K at the end. That's less than the show says is the minimum of $100K that each "secret millionaire" is suppose to donate. I know "G" claims that he donated more than $100K and one of his donations wasn't shown on TV as it ended up on the cutting room floor. However I would hope if I was a 26 year old self-made multimillionaire with a net worth of $300 million and I was moved as much as "G" says he was by the work done by the soup kitchen and the woman's shelter, I'd write them a check for considerably more than $35K each to help with their efforts. I also found that "G" signed with a talent agency, William Morris, last year with intentions of developing a reality-based TV show and a book. Doing good works, for goods works sake is great. Doing good works for the publicity is questionable.

Sugar
Member

08-15-2000

Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 10:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Sugar a private message Print Post    
I think I'm done with this show, it is just too cheesy. The whole "reveal" is nauseating.

Texasdeb
Member

05-23-2003

Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 3:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texasdeb a private message Print Post    
I missed the 3rd ep - when was it on. I thought I ck'd really good last wk - must have been on when something else had me.

Jodie75
Member

08-26-2004

Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 6:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jodie75 a private message Print Post    
This is what bugged me, and I hate this in ALL reality shows:

The cameras are already inside the "poor" people's houses, but they act all surprised when they get an "unexpected" visit from the rich people. Why do they have to do that? WE know it's acting, but they seem to assume we're stupid. Why not just keep the cameras outside so the visits truly are unexpected? They can just bring the cameras in with the visiting people and just go from there.

It just seems to me like the producers think the viewer demographic of reality tv are dumb. Like how they always repeat the last thirty seconds of what was just aired before they went to commercial, like we're all struck with short-term memory problems. And I HATE how they spoil with the "coming up" segment before they do go to commercial. It just ruins it for me. It's why I never watch reality tv live anymore. All my shows are taped.

Wife Swap is really bad about this. Before they even show the title, they pretty much show you all the interesting things that will happen. I always fast forward until I see the title and watch from there. And I quickly FF when they're going to commercial because they show all the reactions from "rule change" before it even happens. Grr!

Okay, so now about this show, :-) I'm in Toronto, and I thought the one episode I saw was the series premiere, but I can't be sure. It was the guy with the celebrity/car magazine and his wife. But it was VERY touching, I thought especially with the women who struggled once they were released from prison.

I was actually prepared not to like this show too much, because I didn't want them to be playing up the rich people so much, with their 9 cars and $2,000 dinners. It depresses me, since those dinners alone are more than what I have for to pay for rent, food, transportation and personal needs for 3 months. It just makes me feel my own situation more.

I agree with Sugar, the reveal is really cheesy - tacky. "We've been lying to you. I'm really a millionaire". Couldn't they say something a bit more classy, like, "I'm fortunate to be in a better situation, and I'd like to share that with you."