The U.S. adaptation of the British general knowledge/progressive elimination quiz show, hosted by Anne Robinson (who also presided over the British version), best known for the humiliating phrase: "You are the Weakest Link! Good-bye!" Eight contestants work together to build the show's jackpot (up to $1 million possible) by answering questions in a chain. Correct answers add money to the pot. At any point before Robinson reads an unspecified part of the question, the contestant currently being asked the question may bank the funds, as an incorrect answer deletes any unbanked money. At the end of each round (the first being 2 minutes, which each subsequent round 10 seconds shorter), the contestants individually (and without consultation) vote out whom they believe is the "weakest link" though oftentimes outstanding players are eliminated and poor performers remain until the latter stages of the game. After announcing the votes and her sarcastic remarks, biting insults and commentary, Robinson tells the player with the most elimination votes the now-infamously dreadful phrase: "You are the Weakest Link! Good-bye!" Contestants could bank up to $125,000 for each of the first six rounds, and $250,000 in the seventh round, for a total possible jackpot of $1 million. The elimination rounds are played, with progressively fewer contestants, until two remain. Those two move on to a final best-of-five showdown. The first to answer three questions correctly wins the entire pot (which averaged $50,000 per episode); the loser leaves with nothing. Frequent celebrity editions saw celebrities win money for charity; the losing celebrity contestants in this case received $25,000 for their charities. |
