Contestant two-fer

Game Show Paradise has started a thread about civvies who turned up on more than one game show. As you might expect from GSP, almost all the entries are about contestants from decades ago. But the thread reminds me of a guy who played on a couple more recent game shows: Barry Lander.

Mr. Lander had a moment of fame when he copped $343,000 on 1 vs. 100 in 2007. That was a record until Jason Luna came along and won a million. Six years later Barry Lander was one of the first contestants on another NBC effort, Million Second Quiz. Sadly, he didn't last long on the 2013 quizzer. He still had his previous NBC winnings as a consolation prize, though.

Million Second Quiz reminds me of how broadcast ratings have tanked. The show debuted with 6.5 million total viewers and a 1.7 18-49 rating. These numbers would have have broadcast execs exulting today. Even in 2013 they were pretty good. The ratings for later eps went south a bit, but the show would likely have gotten a renewal nowadays.

I liked the quizzer despite an 800-pound rule book. But NBC decided that the numbers didn't justify the expense of the ritzy set (among other items).

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