TV Review: ABC’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ Highlights Great People While Manipulating Viewers

Hey Brian,

Whilst I understand the issues you have with the show appearing ‘scripted’, I think a certain amount of creative editing (including the odd re-take) is necessary to make TV shows of this ilk as entertaining as possible to the public. I’ve not seen the first episode yet but I’m very familiar with the format over here in the UK and I do hope the new series is not ruined by over-editing or over-production.

It would be awesome if a television program could just concentrate on giving exposure to worthwhile charities, causes, people and organisations that are making a positive to the lives of others, but ultimately all networks are in a constant battle for the ratings and it is the ‘gimmicks’ that push the viewing figures up and get folk watching.

On the whole, I think Secret Millionaire gives an opportunity for the everyday struggles of people below the poverty line to be understood by the wider public as well as rewarding those people and organisation that deserve it. To me, this can only be a good thing.

Of course the ABC network are getting adequately compensated for their part via advertising revenue, as are the featured millionaires in terms of personal exposure for themselves and their businesses so, to coin an oft-used phrase: Everyone’s a Winner.

Except perhaps, as you say, the viewer - but if the success of the UK-version of the show is anything to go by, it is a format that works and it should be a big hit.

I loved the idea of a show like this but was seriously disgusted. And, there was nothing “secret” about it. As other posters pointed out - this was blatantly about self-publication and self-aggrandizement. People’s real lives - from their pain to selflessness - were used for someone else’s selfish gain. If you truly want to help others, try doing it anonymously. The millionaire could go by an alias and when they dole out checks they don’t have to be present to get all the accolades.

I couldn’t agree more with the writer and the other commenters. With regards to the actual millionaires, the cost of this type of “free” publicity/advertising is as they say “priceless.” And, I cannot help wondering what the tax deduction is.
Is this a tax deduction with super benefits? No doubt it is.
Wondering as well how the amounts are determined. It seems odd and sad to me that the charity which seemed to impact the most lives and in most need was given the least. Also, did she need to get “all dolled up” at the end when she was writing the checks? I think not. Perhaps, this is what people watching want to see. Personally, I hope the Love Kitchen will be benefit from all the exposure. Those ladies are wonderful!

Is this a show for the times? With the daily dissolution of the middle class, perhaps this how we will be enter-tainted.
Oops, I made a typo….. but perhaps, it was a just Freudian slip.
The last “adventure” millionaire show (though not a reality show) was downright offensive and appalling. So, comparatively speaking this one is tame.
Hoping the spotlight will get people talking, thinking and most importantly doing something to help their fellow human beings.

This show would be a whole lot better if they actually focused a bit more on the ‘Millionaire’ being forced to live in such poverty and maybe even getting a minimum wage job and see how difficult it is to survive…. for longer than a measly 6 days. How do we know that she actually lived in that tiny, bug infested apartment the entire 6 days??? We see her in sweats with no makeup, never really experiencing life being that poor (whether it’s the first or second time being ‘poor’ doesn’t matter, it’s been long enough since they’ve had to live like that), and all of a sudden we’re made to believe she’s actually slumming it?? The whole point of her living in such a run down place and getting the equivalent of welfare money is because it’s supposed to give them a better understanding of the people whom they are helping’s poor lifestyle, and therefore have more compassion for them when giving. Also, the guy from the music school who just happened to be walking up the sidewalk at the same time as the Millionaire, TOTALLY set up!! I bet the producers and/or the Millionaires already know the places they’re going to and where they’ll be giving their money before they even go there. This show just feels like an hour long ad for charities, and watching rich people give money for tax write offs. The UK show was MUCH better, as was their Slumdog Secret Millionaire version.

With the events going on in Wisconsin, it was irritating to watch this show. I’d like to know more about the millionaires that will be featured. Did they approve of the tax cut to the rich? How much did they pay in taxes last year? How much did their corporations pay in taxes? Are they regularly supporting organizations that help the poor—without the acclaim they get from doing this show? Do they think budget cuts are shared equally by the all economic classes? Have they or their children served in the military in Iraq or Afghanistan? Are the producers of this program Republican or Democratic?