ITV’s latest game show, Millionaire Hot Seat, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, aimed to offer a fresh and fast-paced twist on classic quiz formats. However, viewers tuned in on Tuesday night found themselves frustrated with the show’s pace and contestant behavior.
The show features six players taking turns in the “hot seat,” with just 15 seconds allocated to answer each increasingly difficult question. Correct answers allow a contestant to remain and climb the prize ladder, while wrong answers result in immediate elimination and a reduction in the top prize. Each player is also granted a strategic ‘pass’ to shift their turn to the back of the rotation, adding a layer of tactical decision-making.
Despite the quick-fire rules, viewers quickly noticed the contestants speaking excessively before giving answers, dragging out the pace. Social media buzzed with criticism. One viewer complained, “These people all like the sound of their own voices… or think they’re on regular Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.” Another echoed the sentiment: “Can’t they just answer the bldy question and stop talking she all the b****rd time!” Comments like “Do they realise how long 15 seconds is? Stop yapping” and “Don’t have to give a definition, just answer the question” became common.
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Not everyone was dismissive, though. Some viewers appreciated the format’s increased pressure and unique elements, likening it to “a quiz show version of speed dating” and admitting they “quite like the format tbf.”
Clarkson himself described the game as unforgiving and brutal. When a contestant was forced to guess without the possibility to pass, she answered incorrectly and was eliminated on the spot. Clarkson remarked on the toughness of the rules, stating: “What a brutal game! It’s so brutal.”
Millionaire Hot Seat’s combination of rapid questions, strategic passes, and harsh eliminations aims to create tension, but early reactions suggest pacing and contestant chatter may need addressing to satisfy the audience’s expectations for a swift and thrilling quiz experience.