When trivia legend Ken Jennings teamed up with Hollywood sensation Matt Damon on ABC's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, the game show world was shaken to its core. What is their goal? To win the $1 million grand prize for Damon's NGO, water.org. Going into a recent program, the dynamic duo was only two questions away from a life-changing sum. The anticipation was tremendous, especially with host Jimmy Kimmel's continual humorous digs at Damon, which kept their well-known pretend rivalry going. But did they manage to secure the huge win?

Ken Jennings, fresh off his remarkable 74-game winning run and "Greatest Of All Time Tournament" victory on Jeopardy!, took his overwhelming knowledge to the Millionaire's seat. He even joked about the combination on social media, saying, "Can't believe I get to play with one of my generation's great math prodigies." This is in the bag. Indeed, Jennings handled the most of the early questions, while Kimmel kept the atmosphere up with his constant taunting of Damon.

The Million-Dollar Moment: Ken Jennings' and Matt Damon's Triumph

The route to $1 million is never easy, and Jennings and Damon encountered some difficult questions along the way. The $500,000 question, for example, was: "With another career path already established, who got his first taste of the entertainment world when he entered a Steve Martin look-alike contest?" This one stumped them, so they used a lifeline.

The Road to $1 Million: Key Questions and Lifelines.

Despite Damon's initial reluctance to ask Kimmel for assistance, fearing his adversary would not be sincerely helpful, Kimmel astonished them by knowing the answer. He was "100% sure" it was Bill Nye, the Science Guy, something neither Jennings nor Damon knew. This critical "Ask the Host" lifeline proved helpful, propelling them closer to the top spot.

The last contest question was: "Which of these words is often 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?" With their "50/50" lifeline still available, they used it to restrict their options. Jennings had a gut sense about the answer, and once the 50/50 proved his suspicion, he accurately recognized "susurrus."

Ken Jennings and Matt Damon now officially join a small club of celebrity $1 million winners, which includes chef David Chang and the Ike and Alan Barinholtz duo.

It's great to have Ken Jennings as your trivia partner.

I believe we've learnt that Matt Damon is worth an extra $900,000 when I play 'Millionaire.'

Beyond the banter: unpacking the Kimmel-Damon feud.

For years, Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon's long-standing, humorous feud has served as a running farce on late-night television. Kimmel frequently concludes his program by apologizing for running out of time with Damon, and their exchanges on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire were no exception.

The Faux Feud: A Deep Dive into Kimmel vs. Damon.

Kimmel could not hold back, ridiculing Damon's beard and questioning his appearance on the show. He also joked about Damon "crashing" the performance and breaching the rules to get there. Despite the continuous insults, Kimmel himself suggested pairing Jennings and Damon, seeing the situation's humorous potential.

This was the least dramatic million-dollar moment in 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' history.

Kimmel's humorous animosity persisted even after the win, when he dubbed it "the least dramatic million-dollar moment in 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' history." He even threatened to appear on Jeopardy!. with "someone you hate!" in response to Jennings' humorous remark that everyone loves Damon except Kimmel.

You're turning this into an uprising! I'm coming to Jeopardy! You're with someone you despise!

A Legacy of Knowledge: The History of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire.

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has a lengthy history, beginning in Britain. The game show was devised by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight and premiered on ITV in September 1998, with Chris Tarrant as host. It rapidly became a sensation, attracting millions of spectators and redefining the game show format.

From Regis to Kimmel: A Host's Journey.

The American version debuted on ABC in August 1999, hosted by the renowned Regis Philbin. Philbin's passionate approach and the show's high stakes made it an instant success, with phrases like "Is that your final answer?" becoming pop culture mainstays. Following Philbin's tenure, Meredith Vieira hosted the syndicated version for 11 seasons, followed by Cedric the Entertainer, Terry Crews, and Chris Harrison. Jimmy Kimmel took over the celebrity edition in 2020.

The Show's Cultural Impact

The show's concept, with its growing complexity and smart use of lifelines, generated an engaging mix of suspense and intellectual challenge. It became a global phenomenon, with adaptations in approximately 100 countries, making it the best-selling TV format in television history. Its impact grew beyond television, creating goods and becoming part of the worldwide language.

Iconic Questions and Unforgettable Wins

Beyond Jennings and Damon's recent win, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire has had numerous memorable moments and million-dollar questions over the years.

Famous Non-celebrity Winners

In the United Kingdom, Judith Keppel became the first person to win £1 million in November 2000. Other British winners are David Edwards, Robert Brydges, Pat Gibson, and Donald Fear. In the United States, John Carpenter was the first to win $1 million in November 1999, utilizing his "Phone a Friend" lifeline not for assistance, but to notify his father that he was about to win. Dan Blonsky, Joe Trela, Bob House, Kim Hunt, and David Goodman were among the other US millionaires who won during Regis Philbin's tenure.

Explore the Million-Dollar Question Archive

The questions on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire range from somewhat simple to really difficult. Earlier challenges for Jennings and Damon included identifying the newest state with "New" in its name (New Mexico) and the animal Teddy Grahams are fashioned like (a bear). The wide range of themes keeps contestants and viewers on their toes.

How to Watch the Latest Season of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

If you want to see the latest celebrity matches and nail-biting situations, the new season of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire premieres on ABC. You can also watch episodes on Hulu and Disney Plus. The show continues to feature a mix of celebrities and, in some recent seasons, frontline workers competing for charity.

Streaming Options and Broadcast Schedule

The show airs every Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. For those who want to stream, episodes are usually available on Hulu the day after they show. Disney+ also provides access to the series, making it simple to keep up with all the excitement.

Behind The Scenes: Strategies and Lifelines

Contestants on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire have a few resources at their disposal to assist them answer difficult questions. These "lifelines" are an essential component of the game's strategy.

Tips for aspiring contestants:

The classic lifelines are "Phone a Friend," "Ask the Audience," and "50:50," which eliminates two erroneous responses. In recent celebrity versions, notably the one involving Jennings and Damon, the "Ask the Host" lifeline has been offered, allowing participants to speak with Jimmy Kimmel personally. While Jennings and Damon used "Ask the Host" and "50:50," they also made a "Phone a Friend" call to fellow Jeopardy! champion Brad Rutter, not for assistance, but to announce their approaching million-dollar victory, emulating John Carpenter's iconic act.

The show's premise, with increasing levels of difficulty and smart use of lifelines, produces a distinct blend of suspense and intellectual challenge. It's a game that values both knowledge and intelligent decision-making, making each episode an exciting ride for both contestants and viewers.