Morristown Man 'Wants to Be a Millionaire,' Ends with $25K
Local engineer made it to the $100,000 question on the TV game show.
A Morristown mechanical engineer didn't quite become a millionaire, but his appearance on a nationally televised game show did net him $25,000.
Jon Papp appeared as a contestant on Friday's episode of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” which was scheduled to air at 12:30 p.m. on WABC-TV. Because of a weather broadcast that interrupted regular programming, the episode was instead planned to air at 1:35 a.m. Saturday.
Papp, 24, was described as a Michigan native and former lifeguard who runs a swing dancing club in his spare time (he even danced with host Meredith Vieira on the show). He said that if he won big on "Millionaire," he would pay off his student loans and get a Ph.D. in robotics.
In the game, in which players answer a list of increasingly difficult general-knowledge trivia questions, earning higher amounts of money as long as they answer correctly. They are allowed a limited number of lifelines, such as "Ask the Audience," "Jump the Question" or "Phone a Friend," in case they get stuck on a particular question.
Papp acquitted himself admirably, making it all the way to his $100,000 question. But that's where his journey ended: He answered the question incorrectly. But he still was able to leave the show with $25,000 in winnings.
Want to try your hand at the questions Papp faced? (Answers will be at the bottom of the page—no peeking.)
Question #1: Category, 'What's in a Name'
Until it changed its recipe to include the minimum 10 million cultures per gram, Pinkberry was criticized for calling its product what?
A: Gelato
B: Frozen yogurt
C: Italian ice
D: Sorbet
Question #2: Category, 'Sage Advice'
What group sang the song “Poison,” in which they warn listeners to “never trust a big butt and a smile”?
A: Bell Biv DeVoe
B: Jodeci
C: Blackstreet
D: Boyz II Men
Question #3: Category, 'Naming Trends'
“Jetta” and “Scirocco” being two examples, Volkswagen is known for naming its cars after well-known what?
A: Ocean trenches
B: Wind currents
C: Fault lines
D: Tectonic plates
Question #4: Category, 'Pig Tales'
Who wrote the 1948 essay “Death of a Pig” several years before publishing a classic children's book in which a pig's life is saved?
A: Roald Dahl
B: C.S. Lewis
C: E.B. White
D: Dr. Seuss
Question #5: Category, 'Civil Protests'
An Oregon man was dubbed “Sir Godiva” after a judge ruled it was not illegal for him to have done what in protest of airport security screenings?
A: Destroyed a laptop
B: Stripped naked
C: Yelled “Fire!” on line
D: Ate his shoes
Question #6: Category, 'Early Work'
Having developed lie-detector technology, inventor William Marston created what comic book hero, who fittingly wields the “golden lasso of truth”?
A: Catwoman
B: Captain America
C: Thor
D: Wonder Woman
Question #7: Category, 'Medical Degrees'
Which of the following is the accepted abbreviation for a medical professional who specializes in women's health?
A: O/BGYN
B: OB/GYN
C: OBG/YN
D: OBGY/N
Question #8: Category, 'Bird Formations' While geese are known to fly in a V formation, what birds are known to swim together in a U formation in order to trap fish?
A: Pelicans
B: Swans
C: Ducks
D: Seagulls
Question #9: Category, 'Simple Inspirations'
The builders of what architectural wonder were said to have been inspired by the simplicity of a rectangular pencil?
A: Space Needle
B: Gateway Arch
C: U.S. Capitol
D: Empire State Building
Question #10: Category, 'Spellchekc'
Which of the following is the correctly spelled title of a popular TV sitcom from the late ‘70s and early ‘80s?
A: WRKP in Cincinnati
B: WPRK in Cincinnati
C: WKRP in Cincinnati
D: WPKR in Cincinnati
$100,000 Question:
“Double Irish” and “Dutch Sandwich” are types of what?
A: Chess strategies
B: Suspension bridges
C: Soccer maneuvers
D: Tax loopholes
Correct answers:
1. B, 2. A, 3. B, 4. C, 5. B, 6. D, 7. B, 8. A, 9. D, 10. C, 11. D
Betsy
8:03 am on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Good for Jon Papp! I worked backwards through the questions (answer key at end) and nailed questions 4-10. Not boasting, really: Jon Papp is not a middle aged matron like I am, and OB/GYN and WKRP would never have been on my question slate. Questions 2 and 3? Failure buzzer. Good for Jon Papp!
Jon Papp
8:00 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Thanks!
Arthur E. Perkins Jr.
10:51 am on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Congratulations to anyone who gets on Millionaire. I have been trying and passing the exam for years but not passing the interview.
The "Phone a Friend" lifeline has not been active in Millionaire for at least 1.5 years.
Jon Papp
7:59 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Thanks!
Walter O.
2:03 pm on Saturday, February 9, 2013
Congratulations! 25K is nothing to laugh at, funny how everyone thinks if they can answer the questions at home correctly that translates to being able to do the same on the show! I know I have at times. Reality is its a lot harder than it seems. Congrats one more time!
Jon Papp
7:59 pm on Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Hey, thanks!