Million Dollar Challenge

Format Poker Gameshow
Starring Chris Rose, Daniel Negreanu
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English
No. of seasons 2
No. of episodes 13
Production
Executive producer(s) Mark Mayer, M&M Productions
Broadcast
Original channel Fox
Original run October 11, 2009 – December 12, 2010
Status Running

Million Dollar Challenge (also referred to as the PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge and PokerStars.net Million Dollar Challenge) is the most watched poker show in television history.[1][2] It is sponsored by PokerStars. The show, which airs on the Fox Broadcasting Company, debuted on October 11, 2009.[3] The show is hosted by Chris Rose and features Daniel Negreanu.[4] The first season included five episodes following the FOX network Sunday National Football League coverage. The finale aired on December 27, 2009. The eight-episode season 2 premiered on September 19, 2010 and is scheduled to conclude on December 12.[5]

Show description

Daniel Negreanu is the main star of the show

Million Dollar Challenge is a poker game show where amateur poker players attempt to defeat celebrities, professional poker players and, eventually, Daniel Negreanu in order to win the show's grand prize, $1 million. In the first round, the amateur (with Negreanu at their side, acting as their coach and lending advice) must defeat a celebrity such as Jayde Nicole, Jerome Bettis, Joanna Krupa, John Salley or Tito Ortiz. If the contestant is able to defeat the celebrity the contestant wins a trip to the Bahamas and advances to the second round. In the second round, the amateur (with Negreanu now helping them from a sound proof booth, giving them advice through a listening device in the amateur's ear) must defeat a professional poker player such as Vanessa Rousso, Barry Greenstein, Joe Cada or Chris Moneymaker. If the contestant is able to defeat the professional the contestant wins $25,000 in addition to the trip to the Bahamas. At this point, the amateur has a decision to make. Keep the money and walk away $25,000 richer, or risk the money (the trip is still theirs to keep) and play Daniel Negreanu heads-up for $100,000, knowing that if they lose they walk away with nothing but the trip to the Bahamas. In the season finale, the champions from each episode compete against each other in a sit-n-go tournament, the winner of which plays Negreanu for $1 million.[1][3]

Critical review

Professional poker player Doyle Brunson has been critical of both Million Dollar Challenge and its contemporary rival Face the Ace as terrible shows unlikely to draw viewers.[6] Negreanu responded, via blog, to this type of criticism that the show is not intended for the serious poker player, but rather is aimed at more casual audience.[7] There was some controversy about a poker playing priest on national television that sparked theological debate.[8]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "PokerStars.net "Million Dollar Challenge," Most Watched Poker Show in Television History, Returns With New Show on Nov. 22". Market Wire.
  2. ^ Arnett, Kristy (2009-11-20). "Poker Stars Million Dollar Challenge Returns Sunday on Fox: New Episode Begins Right After NFL on FOX". Card Player.
  3. ^ a b Bradley, Lance (2009-10-09). "PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge Show to Debut Saturday". Bluff Magazine.
  4. ^ a b Cypra, Dan (2009-10-11). "Father Andrew Trapp Wins $100,000 on PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge". Poker Daily News.
  5. ^ a b Burton, Earl (2010-09-17). "PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge Returns To Fox Television This Sunday". Poker Daily News.
  6. ^ Jenkins, Tom (2009-10-15). "Doyle Brunson Blasts Face the Ace, Million Dollar Challenge". Poker Daily News.
  7. ^ Negreanu, Daniel (2009-10-11). "Re: PokerStars Million Dollar Challenge – ~4:30pm ET on Fox Sun. Oct. 11". Two Plus Two Interactive.
  8. ^ Bailey, Issac J. (2009-11-29). "Gambling creates uneasy alliance". The Sun News. p. A.

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