Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

Who Wants to Sue a 'Millionaire'?

Aired July 12, 2001 - 07:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: One hugely popular TV show is a target of a lawsuit now.

CNN's Paul Vercammen reports on a former quiz show contestant's fight for another chance to be a millionaire.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAUL VERCAMMEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Game show contestant Richard Rosner is suing for another chance to become a millionaire on the ABC television show.

RICHARD ROSNER, "MILLIONAIRE" CONTESTANT: I want them to do the right thing. I want them to do what they've done for almost every other contestant who's gotten a stinky question: Put him back. And put me back in the hot seat.

VERCAMMEN: ABC is refusing comment on Rosner's lawsuit against the network, alleging breach of contract, negligence, unfair business practice, and more, over missing the $16,000 question on the "Millionaire" show a year ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?")

REGIS PHILBIN, HOST: What capital city is located at the highest altitude above sea level?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VERCAMMEN: Rosner answered Katmandu. "Millionaire" gave the correct answer at Quito, Ecuador, and eliminated Rosner, who has since become a producer and question writer on "The Weakest Link" and has appeared on other game shows, including "Jeopardy."

Rosner claims, after his "Millionaire" elimination, he learned and confirmed the world's highest altitude capital city is La Paz, Bolivia. That was not a choice on the ABC show.

ROSNER: They maintain that their question is right because Quito is the best answer among the four they gave me. I maintain that the phrasing is critical. And I've shown that with 1,300 questions that are phrased properly -- and mine being the only improperly phrased question. VERCAMMEN: Rosner argues the 1,300 "Millionaire" questions he researched concerning magnitude, such as biggest, lightest, highest, only one did not offer the top answer: the altitude question he missed.

Rosner is suing to return to the chair opposite Regis Philbin and start with another $16,000 question or a $1 million payment as ABC's final answer.

Paul Vercammen, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com