Gary Janetti, a television writer, and Brad Goreski, a fashion stylist, appeared as celebrity contestants on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. The married pair performed for charity while Jimmy Kimmel presented the renowned quiz program. Their presence exemplified both strategic gameplay and prudent decision-making under pressure.
The two got to the $64,000 question before deciding to walk away. They used their phone-a-friend lifeline to contact cartoonist Bruce Kaplan for help. Despite obtaining what turned out to be sound counsel, uncertainty drove them to collect their wins rather than risk losing money for their chosen charity.
On Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, players face a stack of tricky questions that get harder each round. If they manage to answer all 15 correctly, they can walk away with a million dollars.
To help them out, the game gives three lifelines: 50-50 takes away two wrong answers, Ask the Audience lets the crowd vote, and Phone a Friend means calling someone for backup. Sometimes the hot seat is filled with celebrities, but instead of keeping the money, they play for charities.
It’s the same pressure, just with a cause that makes it worth sweating under the lights. The structure produces tension as competitors assess prospective benefits against the danger of losing collected earnings. Kimmel's hosting delivers comedy while preserving the show's dramatic mood.
What was the couple’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire strategy?
Janetti and Goreski demonstrated careful gameplay throughout their appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. They methodically worked through earlier questions without major difficulties. The pair showed good teamwork while discussing potential answers.
Their conservative approach became evident at higher dollar amounts. Rather than rushing decisions, they took time to consider each option. This strategy served them well during the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire preliminary rounds.
The couple's chemistry was apparent as they supported each other. Goreski's fashion expertise and Janetti's writing background provided different perspectives. Their collaborative style matched the show's celebrity format perfectly.
At $64,000, Janetti and Goreski faced a question about human reflexes. The question asked which muscle can react in under 100 milliseconds. They decided to use their phone-a-friend lifeline.
Bruce Kaplan, their chosen contact, provided his best guess about the human eye. However, he expressed uncertainty about his answer. This hesitation proved crucial to their final decision. The cartoonist's response was actually correct. His knowledge about muscle reaction times was accurate. But his lack of confidence created doubt for the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire contestants.
Despite receiving the right answer, Janetti and Goreski chose safety over risk. They walked away with $64,000 for their charity rather than gambling. Their decision reflected the cautious approach many celebrity contestants adopt.
Had they trusted Kaplan's answer, they could have continued playing. The next question was worth $125,000 with even higher amounts possible. Their conservative choice cost them potential additional winnings.
The moment highlighted how uncertainty affects decision-making. Even correct information becomes less valuable without confidence. Phone-a-friend lifelines work best when the contact sounds certain, as seen on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
Implications of their decision to walk away
Janetti and Goreski's appearance demonstrated smart but cautious gaming. They secured a substantial donation for their charity while avoiding total loss. Their experience shows how celebrity contestants balance risk versus reward differently from regular players.
The couple's decision to walk away from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire proved both wise and limiting. While they protected their winnings, they missed chances for larger amounts. Their story illustrates the psychological pressure contestants face when the stakes increase.
You can watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire on ABC, Sundays at 9/8c, and stream it the next day on Hulu.