The recent “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” episode delivered an unforgettable moment as celebrity duo Ken Jennings and Matt Damon achieved a remarkable $1 million victory, much to the delight of viewers and the benefit of Water.org.
This monumental win, which aired as Season 4, Episode 2, showcased the intellectual prowess of game show titan Ken Jennings, bolstered by the unexpected and humorous presence of Hollywood star Matt Damon. Their collaboration culminated in securing the grand prize for Water.org, a vital charity championed by Damon, dedicated to ensuring global access to safe and clean water.
The tension built to a crescendo with the million-dollar question: “Which of these words is used to describe one of the most beautiful auditory effects on Earth, the sound made by the leaves of trees when wind blows through them?” Jennings, leaning on his vast knowledge, correctly identified “susurrus,” a conviction solidified after wisely utilizing the show’s “50/50” lifeline.
Reflecting on their success, Jennings humorously credited Damon’s presence, stating, “I think what we’ve learned is that Matt Damon is worth 900,000 extra dollars when I play ‘Millionaire.’” The victory was made even more entertaining by its intertwining with the long-running, playful rivalry between Damon and host Jimmy Kimmel, who, in a surprising twist, was the mastermind behind pairing the two stars.
Kimmel, known for his sharp wit, capitalized on the comedic goldmine of their faux feud. He poked fun at Damon’s intelligence and appearance, particularly his “Odyssey” beard, creating memorable on-air banter that played heavily into the season’s promotional material. The lighthearted jabs added a unique layer of entertainment to the high-stakes game.
An intriguing detail cut from the broadcast revealed that Jennings and Damon did, in fact, use their “Phone a Friend” lifeline, though not in the traditional sense. Mimicking the iconic move of original “Millionaire” winner John Carpenter, they called fellow “Jeopardy!” champion Brad Rutter, not for advice, but merely to announce their impending million-dollar triumph.
Jennings admitted that the most challenging question involved an obscure fact about Bill Nye in a Steve Martin look-alike contest, a detail neither he nor Damon knew. Relief washed over them when Jimmy Kimmel unexpectedly provided the crucial answer, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the game show and the host’s surprising intervention.
The current season of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” has showcased a series of celebrity pairings, starting with Drew Carey and Aisha Tyler. Following the high-profile Damon/Jennings win, subsequent episodes featured Jordan Klepper and Ronny Chieng, with future appearances planned for Joel McHale, Jim Rash, Tramell Tillman, Zach Cherry, Adam Devine, Anders Holm, Helen Hunt, and Dan Bucatinsky, ensuring a star-studded run.
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