The Captain
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Millionaire fan since 2001. Game creator since 2011
Posts: 56 
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Post by The Captain on Jan 19, 2018 19:31:13 GMT -5
So as someone who practically grew up watching Millionaire, I don’t get what happened to the music. The show always boasted some pretty suspensful music, up until the clock format ended. I praise the decision the host and player are standing as it adds to their physical expressions, but why eliminate the suspense from the music? Now it sounds like generic game show sound cues and not like what the show became so popular for. I was wondering is there anyone in here who believes this music is an improvement? Also what do you think about the standing format and the big wall screens?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2018 20:22:24 GMT -5
I always loved the original and clock format soundtrack. When the new music came out I did not like it at all, but over the years it grew on me. Although I still like the original soundtrack better, I do not hate the new one. One thing that never grew on me was the removal of the hot seat. I don't know why it bothers me so much, but it does. It is nothing that would make me stop watching the show though. They have done an excellent job on the host, and I am happy about the format they have now as opposed to the dreaded shuffle format.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 20, 2018 7:07:57 GMT -5
I completely agree with @sbarsodo on this one. The effective changes to the format of Millionaire like the music, the Hot Seat removal and the lack of suspense in the show kinda damaged it's profile of being dramatic. Although I have to say that the format may have some downsides, there are also many upsides, like the current improvement of the format. It's a really good thing that Chris Harrison is hosting the show now, since some of the suspense was brought back to Millionaire once again. By the way, referring to your last question in the post, I believe that the big wall screens and the podium are actually quite fine for the show, although it's kinda sad that the Hot Seat had been removed in exchange. Maybe they'll possibly bring it back if the format should get some changes.  |
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The Captain
Fan Games Pass Holder
Millionaire fan since 2001. Game creator since 2011
Posts: 56
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Post by The Captain on Jan 21, 2018 5:18:11 GMT -5
In clarification of what I meant, I am particularly bothered by the fact that the sound cues don’t feel organic. They don’t feel like they are “produced” by the question graphic, they just feel “added” to it. The correct answer sound sounds like a doorbell with some fanfare layered on it. And although I could get used to this version’s suspensful background music, the overall suspense the older music generated and the dark ‘interrogation’ tone of the show have sort of dissipated. The clock format revamped the music and sounds in a good way, they felt modern but still organic. The shuffle format destroyed all that and we probably all agree it was terrible.
The other problem I have with the new graphics starting with the shuffle format is this weird shape the question is initially displayed in, before switching to the more familiar romboid shape. I mean, this is even less related to the identity of the show, serves no real purpose and the transition from that shape to romboid is awkward if non-existant in the episodes.
Finally, I believe that you should never use a totally different main theme for the same franchise. The musical theme is in my opinion wooven into a movie or TV franchise’s identity and evokes feelings of overall familiarity and epicness as time goes by. Additionally, the clock format was not old enough for the show to require what is essentially a soft reboot. But even soft reboots nowadays usually keep the theme tune. Doctor Who has kept the same main theme in almost 50 seasons albeit with different arrangements, so don’t tell me Millionaire needed to change so much of its identity so quickly in its path.
All in all though, I don’t think I would be so dismissive of the new cues as long as they retained some kind of organic feeling. However they have devolved to something so generic, I am not even sure I am watching the same show. It’s a shame for the nice graphics, the cool host Chris Harisson and the screens which make the question feel more “threatening” and important, that the music has been replaced with what feels like generic Google-searched “game show sound effects”.
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Post by greekmillionairefan on Jan 30, 2018 10:50:08 GMT -5
American shuffle version millionaire music is horrible.I wonder why did they destroy the most popular game show in the world by replacing the most epic game show music with this crap.
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millionaire1999
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Post by millionaire1999 on Jan 30, 2018 20:10:55 GMT -5
The rave version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? is a rendition done right. The main theme of the shuffle format isn't as catchy as the original, nor are the question beds. The classic Millionaire beds are a bit better. They definitely offer suspense, but if you were the contestant, the studio is still well-lit, and the only music you hear, is a drum beat. To my knowledge, after the 5th question on the original format, you would hear the music in its entirety on set.
While there are some decent cues on the Shuffle format, they totally missed the mark with how Millionaire is supposed to be. Heck, even the million dollar win cue falls flat. It doesn't have that 'triumph' you'd feel with the original.
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Post by thepixelpolygon on Jan 31, 2018 20:44:42 GMT -5
The original music was created because the people over at Celador wanted tension and drama. The set design was also created with this thought in mind. Not only that, but the lighting was also meant to go well with the music, and I think that this was accomplished with the original music. When the Shuffle format came, however, I think that all that just ended up in the garbage. The music does NOT go well at all with the set's lighting, and it also came to a point where the show was just unrecognizable. I'm not too fond of the standing thing, but the music is pretty much a deal-breaker for me. Gone is the catchy jingle and tension-creating music. What we're left with is a set of music that doesn't even compare to the original cues.
To me, the new music ends up becoming repetitive as there aren't any modifications like the old. The classic cues at least raise the key one semitone (until the next guaranteed amount) to really cement the thought that the drops get higher and higher, thereby increasing the tension.
Every element of the classic format was carefully put together so that everything works together to create drama and tension. The money tree was crafted to really make players think. For example, someone can be stuck on a question, and can have the thought like, "OK. This is the next milestone. If I get this wrong, I'm gonna lose all the money I have and walk out of here with a measly $1000. Do I really want that?" The lighting getting progressively darker communicates that you are the focus of tonight's show, and every move you make will be seen by millions of people on national television, all in clear sight. The hot seat takes this idea even further, because people know that the person sat in this chair is bound to have 12 different cameras pointed at them, thousands of eyes staring down from within the set alone. There's nothing they can do to escape that, with the hot seat being centered on set, and its elevation above the floor. This is what everyone came to see. Finally, it's topped off with the music, which is the glue that connects everything together, to create this one truly dramatic piece of television.
By contrast, the new set and music just don't work at all. The atmosphere it creates is similar to that of other television shows. It invokes the thought of, "I'm just here to play for fun." That just can't be further away from the original intent of the show. Everyone goes to win lots of money. That's why the title was renamed from "Cash Mountain" to "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?". It's why the networks keep telling us, "Everybody has a chance to win $1,000,000!" It's supposed to create that temptation, because everyone wants to win lots of money. The way it's presented with the new format... It's just underwhelming.
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!Tommy
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Brooke's fiance <3
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Post by !Tommy on Feb 3, 2018 23:06:25 GMT -5
I personally don't mind the new music. While I still like the original cues better, the new music is pretty good too. Although in its current format, I think the second threshold music needs to be a bit more dramatic. In the shuffle format, as you progressed closer and closer to classic Millionaire, a few instruments would be added to the music to amp it up a bit and unless I just haven't noticed, the current format doesn't really do that until the $50,000 question. As for the third threshold, I love those cues the best but I do think that the million dollar question should've been changed to a much more dramatic version, that was the excitement in the original version of Millionaire, building up further and further and then the million dollar question was literally knocking on death's door in lack of a better term to use. There was no more *beeping* around, this is do, die, or quit. Although the set itself needs to tone the lights down more as you get further into the game. It just remains too light as well.
Going back to the music, you can tell that the audience theme is inspired from the original track but it's at a much slower tempo. 50:50 takes it a bit further than the original and uses the jump the question start cue and then the money disappears theme to take away the two wrong choices. The early questions also feels original inspired as well. I don't care for the actual main theme though, it's just too loud and not that pleasant on the ears. I believe the themes were created by Ah2 music, which if you've noticed, they do themes for a lot of television shows these days. So while I appreciate the new cues, nothing can replace the originals and the originals will always be what Millionaire is.
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The Captain
Fan Games Pass Holder
Millionaire fan since 2001. Game creator since 2011
Posts: 56
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Post by The Captain on Feb 10, 2018 5:41:58 GMT -5
I personally don't mind the new music. While I still like the original cues better, the new music is pretty good too. Although in its current format, I think the second threshold music needs to be a bit more dramatic. In the shuffle format, as you progressed closer and closer to classic Millionaire, a few instruments would be added to the music to amp it up a bit and unless I just haven't noticed, the current format doesn't really do that until the $50,000 question. As for the third threshold, I love those cues the best but I do think that the million dollar question should've been changed to a much more dramatic version, that was the excitement in the original version of Millionaire, building up further and further and then the million dollar question was literally knocking on death's door in lack of a better term to use. There was no more *beeping* around, this is do, die, or quit. Although the set itself needs to tone the lights down more as you get further into the game. It just remains too light as well. Going back to the music, you can tell that the audience theme is inspired from the original track but it's at a much slower tempo. 50:50 takes it a bit further than the original and uses the jump the question start cue and then the money disappears theme to take away the two wrong choices. The early questions also feels original inspired as well. I don't care for the actual main theme though, it's just too loud and not that pleasant on the ears. I believe the themes were created by Ah2 music, which if you've noticed, they do themes for a lot of television shows these days. So while I appreciate the new cues, nothing can replace the originals and the originals will always be what Millionaire is. I think the main problem of the new music, besides the whole dissolution of the suspense is that it is annoying af. It is as you say, too loud and not at all pleasant to hear. Just disturbing. |
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RegisFan
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Post by RegisFan on Feb 10, 2018 23:57:53 GMT -5
The second tier question music (formerly the Round 1 question music) is just awful. It’s hard to believe that anyone was paid to compose that.
If ABC ever does bring back the show to prime time as part of the summer Fun and Games block, I sincerely hope they either use the original music cues or have Matthew Strachan write new versions of the classic tracks. I realize that there is a cost involved in that, but it is worth paying.
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!Tommy
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Post by !Tommy on Feb 11, 2018 17:51:01 GMT -5
The second tier question music (formerly the Round 1 question music) is just awful. It’s hard to believe that anyone was paid to compose that. Hiya RegisFan!  You, are ABSOLUTELY correct! I never liked that theme either. It's just so...boring! No suspense, no drama, no nothing, just....dun dun dun dunnnnnnnn. I think a walk in the park is more suspenseful than that. Although I do like the new round 1 question music and I'm a fan of the round 3 question music. But round 2 should really be revamped since few actually make it to round 3, you're stuck listening to that other garbage most of the time. |
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Post by millionairefan64 on Feb 11, 2018 17:55:36 GMT -5
While I find the music used in Classic millionaire and current $100,000 question and later a little bit dramatic, I do have to agree that the music especially the one used in the first 10 questions isn’t as nearly as good as the original cues in general.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2018 20:59:59 GMT -5
I also want to take a part on this...
I have to say about the actual U.S. OST (the most that I've counted from this thread), Idk how guys going to react saying that I have weird tastes (to be polite), but I'd like a big part of this OST.
I agree that these sounds are far away from the original cues, and makes the actual U.S. version more 'relaxing' ante- $100K question and killing all the drama of the original concept... But seriously, who cares, do the show have to be dramatic on a second tier questions, considered as a medium difficulty?
And how about the 'Hot Seat' version? By listening this OST, I do not feel any drama except on $6,000 and $10K questions (on a 'normal' state of play AND respectively Q.9-10), where I find more 'tension' than the others cues...
Speaking about drama, NOT all countries have this specific word in mind, just watch a Japanese Millionaire show and see how it's different from the original 'ambiance', for exemple : they've used original cues but nobody cared about the music, BUT I know that Japan have lot of differences in the way on how to host a gameshow.
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!Tommy
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Brooke's fiance <3
Posts: 200
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Post by !Tommy on Feb 11, 2018 23:34:41 GMT -5
I also want to take a part on this... I have to say about the actual U.S. OST (the most that I've counted from this thread), Idk how guys going to react saying that I have weird tastes (to be polite), but I'd like a big part of this OST. I agree that these sounds are far away from the original cues, and makes the actual U.S. version more 'relaxing' ante- $100K question and killing all the drama of the original concept... But seriously, who cares, do the show have to be dramatic on a second tier questions, considered as a medium difficulty? And how about the 'Hot Seat' version? By listening this OST, I do not feel any drama except on $6,000 and $10K questions (on a 'normal' state of play AND respectively Q.9-10), where I find more 'tension' than the others cues... Speaking about drama, NOT all countries have this specific word in mind, just watch a Japanese Millionaire show and see how it's different from the original 'ambiance', for exemple : they've used original cues but nobody cared about the music, BUT I know that Japan have lot of differences in the way on how to host a gameshow. You're absolutely more than welcome to your opinion. We all have our own likes and dislikes. Quite honestly, I never liked that question set cue even when shuffle first came out. I just didn't feel like it had the character that I was looking for. There are a number of good cues in the pack but this one, I could most certainly live without. |
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wolf4537
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Post by wolf4537 on Feb 15, 2018 12:58:26 GMT -5
To me, the only rendition that I actually REALLY liked was the way they spruced up the music for the clock format. The lights down cue felt A LOT more intense and the higher tiered questions felt the same way. The new music doesn't feel anywhere near as intense. I do think it is somewhat intimidating on the higher valued questions, but I think the big problem is that the overall environment takes away from how intense it could really be with the way the lighting effects work now.
I'd say change the lighting effects first (make the higher questions a much darker environment) and start from there. I don't think the music could get any worse, so they could probably build from there.
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) I guess the next on will be Poland then...
