John knowing the final answer and using his free call to call his parents just to tell them that he's gonna be a millionaire is such a fucking power move
No need to be dropping f bombs like that how about showing some respect to other's watching hope you don't talk like that in front of your children that
Using his lifeline to tell his dad he was going to win the million and didn't need his help is probably the most legendary flex I have ever seen. Way to go John Carpenter!
Google was available at the time he won the show, but not wikipedia. Still, they can ask any number of obscure questions that few people will immediately know if they haven't studied in those areas. Like if you didn't study anything in the history of entertainment you could lose well before the million in this run.
@@MrsSlocombesPuddyCatNo some of them were come on. The Louvre, Devil's Tower, Vaccines, OK Corral, Laugh in, these aren't common knowledge, he just makes it look easy. The Phoenix and Monotheism questions, they were a joke yes. I may imagine Phoenixes weren't quite as common in pop culture in 1999 though, I'd know it from Final Fantasy or X Men or whatever at the time and I suppose for 125k it was absurdly easy but maybe not something everyone knew. Monotheism, for 250k, that's ridiculous, how could people not know the other three are all old testament religions? They are easier than they got later, the US early on was willing to use easy questions so they got a millionaire early on. That's not why this is cool, it's because he's cool. Even on other easy questions you see people freak out about the risk of the money in other episodes. He just never lost his cool or gets distrustful of himself. That's why people love this. John Carpenter just realises he's actually pretty cool.
the questions are not hard its just random, they could have ask who are the 3 starter Pokémon from the 1st season of the anime or who is the 8th president of the USA
Stark contrast to the British guy who cheated in the British version of the show. That bloke changed his mind and shuffled through the answers on pretty much every question while this guy was self-confident and knew what he was doing
Regis was great, totally gracious in his “defeat” immediately acknowledging John’s confident play as a win. The drama had already passed because the audience totally believed he was right and there was only the conformation needed to celebrate. Regis handled it like a pro.
People are saying the questions are easy, you have to realize this was 1999. No internet, no social media. All information was from life experiences, reading books and all that stuff. Now being online, you, like it or not, will randomly bump into things and learn new things. Back then, learning things must be a dedicated time and effort going through books, libraries, reading stuff and all. You have to dedicate time to learn things back then. now it's one google away from your phone. Shit you wouldnt even need to stand up and get a book by the shelf, or worse go to a library or whatnot. Information didn't come as easy back then as how it is now. Now it's all on our fingertips. Not to mention you have to be very lucky to get 15 straight random trivial questions and know all the answers. Give me a break.
Not to nitpick at what you're saying, because you are mostly right... The internet has been around since 1993. The "Wikipedia" of that time period were encyclopedia's, which were used often in schooling (I remember having to use them in the '90s, to start the process of research for a given topic). Social media was also around then, but definitely not to the degree that it is today. Much of the way of learning back in the '90s is still used today. You can still learn things via reading books - even fictional works, or media of varying kinds.... and no, you don't really have to put much effort into that either. It's just not as fast. Furthermore, while the internet is more readily available now, and thus information, discernment of fact from fiction is very important - even more so than reading back in the '90s. Needless to say, the luck of having these 15 questions doesn't make it any less impressive. It helps that he stayed calm; tension prevents clear thinking. ^_^ Cheers!
As a Brit the few hundred dollar questions were more difficult than the later ones. His phoning of his father to let him know he was going to win a million dollars was pure class.
@@opeth84 it's a mock language, used often between students. The premise is as follows: you take the first letter of any word qnd add "ay". You then say that "word"/syllable *after,* the 2nd syllable (correction: It should read the *last* syllable). So, for example, hello would be "ello hay". It doesn't work for all words, but that's the basic idea.I'm not sure if kids still use it. It was very common when I grew up in the 80s.
That sheer confidence throughout the show!! My man called his father and casually dropped the greatest and most badass moment in the history of reality TV and left silently!!
@@gibonzproject9710 There's only one or two here that I don't instantly know. I don't really find it unbelievable that someone who was actually good at this could know all of them.
@@gibonzproject9710 yes? I mean I've never told him I was coming home with a million dollars but under similar circumstances he'd probably try to act the same way.
@@yoker88 Yeah, no. No. Sorry, pal. "Intelligent" is the better word there. Not "wisdom". Although both words are practically synonyms, and either usage would be fine here (for all intents and purposes). "Wisdom" speaks to the quality or soundness of a particular action (ie. That wasn't very *wise* of you put your ignorance on full display to the world, when you clearly don't have a clue what you are even talking about). That said, I'm really not too interested in spending my Monday morning arguing over ridiculous semantics and nuances, so go look for attention somewhere else. Thanks anyway though, you goof
16:47 - I've seen this multiple times, and I've come to notice this: when the answer to the question comes up (Richard Nixon), his face slightly changes. John Carpenter knew at that moment that he was going to win $1 million. The fact that he came up with the swag move calling his dad to let him know that he will be a millionaire makes this moment all the more historic. There will never be another contestant quite like Mr. Carpenter.
@@davidwootton683 no it's correct, the answer to the choking question is around the throat. It's known as the universal choking sign, where the person who is choking grabs their throat, showing that they need help.
@@davidwootton683 chock, /CHäk/, verb: gerund or present participle: chocking... Definition: prevent the forward movement of (a wheel or vehicle) with a chock
Absolute madlad this guy. Never asked for 50:50 split, never asked for audience, just once at the end asked for a call, only to let his dad know he's about to win a million dollars. What a madlad! :D
It looked cool, but still it was stupid not to use all the tools you have. At the last question he should have used all 3 options, 50:50, poll, and call. Even if he was sure about the correct answer, the stakes were too high. He was balancing between 32.000 and 1 million. Imagine, he uses 50:50 and suddenly Richard Nixons name disappear)) that would have been quite a drama)
I could never believe in a million years that a man named John, last name Carpenter, works at the IRS and becomes the first person to win and become millionaire in a TV show.
@@avo_music Thank you all these clapping trds on here and.Really these questions were easy He went to the College at Rutgers Johnna Salk's he is a federal employee they asked easy ones that not only most can answer but were extra easy for him. Any person his age would know Richard Nixon was on laugh in and if not the other choices were after the show Johnson was the only real opposition and that was paper thin Look at any other top tier big money questions. They needed a winner because people were call foul they could do the 64,000 cheat so they made them easy. My nephew even said there will be a winner tonight because all the buzz and IRS agent just made it even more attention grabbing
Ah yes, back when being a millionaire meant something. The irony of an IRS collector winning the big bucks and about to be taxed is just too good. This man basically created the phrase 'like a boss'. People are being jealous, they said the questions he got are easy. But you all have to realize that this was from a time before Internet was as popular as it is today. People collected and retained information through papers and life experience. What John accomplished here is absolutely incredible and should be given respect for it!
No matter what he did, no one deserves insane amounts of money. Imagine having to work your arse off at the building site how much would you have to win to earn that much
What makes him such a badass isn't that he knew all the answers without using any lifelines, but that he was willing to take the risk of possibly being wrong.
Look at John Carpenter's body language 2 seconds after 16:38 - the point when he already knew the answer, he's relaxed as he knows he's won the show! What an amazing display of confidence! 💯 Superb show, great man.
And the follow up sigh of relief when he sees that "Richard Nixon" is an answer. He must have had a little thought in the back of his mind, worried there might have been two president's that appeared and he wouldn't know the second.
Yes, and nice of you to note HIM, his (Regis's) ability to improvise - to 'go with' whoever he is talking to, is so comforting, linvolving -as it does - (and I guess you know already), kindness and listening: what else do we ever want! ? J.
He could have been the only person ever to win a million without using a single lifeline but he used one anyway just for our amusement. Gotta admire this guy
15:04 the way he smirks when the correct question shows up because he knew it before it was offered, but of course he already knew what the correct question was. So badass
Well he also apparently thought a drumstick is the thigh, not the calf. Like he would have gotten that wrong if they had both "thigh" and "calf" or "upper leg" vs "lower leg" in the choices for the answer. Weird how someone can know so much info, but still have a few random holes here and there. Dude dodged a bullet there at 5:20
I remember watching this on t.v. in its first airing of this episode. I've never seen anyone else BEFORE and AFTER this guy...be so confident in every answer. AND he didn't even have to use a single life line. That's incredible 👏
I don't know if it's because this is well after the Internet became such a thing, but a lot of these questions were very, very easy. Only three that I wasn't completely sure of, only two that I didn't have a clue.
It amazes me that people think it was so easy to win the Million Dollars on this show. First, you have to go through a phone screening questionnaire. Then, you have to travel to New York and answer a question faster than all people who also qualified for the show and get it right. After that, THEN you finally get the privilege to answer the questions in order. And, to do what John did, you have to know ALL THE QUESTIONS. I bet people saying how easy the questions were wouldn't get the 16k question or 8k question right even with the lifelines.
This is the first time I have watched this beginning to end. I knew every answer. He was great. I had seen the end but never from start to finish. He made them go back and rewrite phone rules about announcing they won to the caller. It was fantastic. He is exceptional at strategic moves.
@@kimong.161 No one is to know the outcome prior to release of the show. The show can air months later. You are only supposed to phone a friend if you need help. They never dreamed anyone would call their friend to update them, hence the new rule that you could not call specifically to tell them you are winning the game with no helped and lifelines used for the purpose of help.
@@TheZeotrix You are responsible as the audience to not talk about the show prior to being aired. It is in the waivers and explained to you as a guest. It is also common sense. Ask any show producer. I enjoyed he had the guts to outsmart them at their own game. I thought it was hilarious.
When he said: "I'd like to call my parents" and his laughter when Regis read this question. Love it. I watched it when it happened and I still enjoy seeing it. Hope you're doing well, John.
right? not an anxious "I'd like to use a lifeline," just a calm "I'd like to call my parents." I can't imagine the adrenaline rush surging through him at that moment.
I was only like 9 or 10 when this aired and I still remember it to this day as well, I remember it even being so young at the time and of course I didn't know most of these answers yet myself, in part from watching this but I did eventually do stuff like watch Close Encounters and I didn't know much about religion as a kid, I could have answered that question right now too even without having seen this. The only ones I would have had trouble with I think are the polio vaccine,the Louvre and Laugh-In but thats why hes a legend he didn't need help on any of them at all, eventually I learned most of this stuff anyway not just from seeing the answer on the show but his confidence is something I can't match he is a role model in that sense too, and I am 32 almost the same age he was when he did this so its a good comparison.
After watching this like 100 times, I just realised that John 'badass' Carpenter's laugh at 16:54 is exactly the same as his father's at 17:30. Like father, like son.
John Carpenter is Definitely the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) as a Contestant on Millionaire! Definitely the best moment of All-Time since Regis passed away
This show was such a national phenomenon when it was on in prime time. It seemed EVERYBODY watched it and talked about it the next day. I even got a Regis style tie, as did a lot of guys!
I thought that too, even though I didn't get all of them. IM PEI I should have known because I have been there, but I don't have an encyclopediac memory. I think this guy does. Some were just chance, he went to the university where that guy made the vaccine for polio, or at least had a center named for him.
This was aired in the 90's when Google and wikipedia were essentially non existent, there were no tik toks and youTube videos of gk or facts. All the knowledge you had those days were from books
@@chromosomecollector8310 He didn't cheat. :| In fact he returned later. Aside from that, most of these questions were not particularly difficult to answer, aside from a few.
This is the best Who Wants to be a Millionaire moment . No one can beat that guy's performance . In 1999 he won that prize right now if he had won the exact price he wouldn't buy things he would get in 1999 's :D
To anyone watching this video…you are watching a piece seminal TV history. This guy was an IRS inspector but still tore through all the questions flexed on the final one and the crowd were still cheering him throughout. TV history right here!
Was it though? Obviously a marathon is nothing compared to the others. The Tour de France literally is named the tour of France so you know that’s about to be long as hell, and if you know literally anything about it you will know it takes weeks to complete.. The only hard part was the Indy 500 or a dog sled race, both are known to be very long but not close to Tour de France length. So right off the bat if you have some pretty basic knowledge it’s a 50/50 question. I wouldn’t consider that to be the “hardest question” he saw.
He collected the money like a champ, no wonder he worked for the IRS! He definitely has nerves of steel and balls of iron...him calling his father to flex was the final nail in the coffin for the producers. I have seen the ending before, but the whole thing makes it all just better, especially the foreshadowing at 3:00 of "Needless to say, no one has reached the million-dollar mark yet. There always seems to be something that stops them cold. But out comes an IRS agent, and you know nothing stops them. Nothing." And man do I miss Regis. Not only do we get to see the brilliance of the contestant, but also Regis's brilliance as well. Regis's charm was one of a kind (the dude even appeared in animated things like Shrek the Third and Lilo & Stitch the Series) and TV's just not the same without him.
As a UK Millionaire fan, this is actually the first time I’ve watched a full run of the American version of the show, I have some interesting observations: - They did an AMAZING job at replicating the look and aesthetics of the UK show, it literally looks like the same studio and the music is pretty much the same. - Regis Philbin added a more comedic element to the show, and whilst Chris Tarrant was hilarious, he would really take his time building the tension even when the contestant was sure of something. - John Carpenter was a COOL customer. I think if there had been more players like this in the UK hot seat the first million would have been won earlier. The UK contestants tended to be very wishy-washy about whether to play a question or take the money, this guy doesn’t even consider a lifeline on the questions he’s not 100% on, him calling his father on the final question is a moment of pure television history. - I don’t know what other contestants on the show were like though as the only other clip I’ve seen from it is the one of the guy who got the first question wrong lol
John knowing the final answer and using his free call to call his parents just to tell them that he's gonna be a millionaire is such a fucking power move
600,000aire........irs gettin theirs
he should had called his ex
No need to be dropping f bombs like that how about showing some respect to other's watching hope you don't talk like that in front of your children that
@@danno1966 first day on the internet
@@phatnguyen3016 lol
Imagine being this good that u are on the last question and calling ur dad to tell him ure gonna win a million dollars. thats crazy
Yeah we all watched the same video…
@@lukenaoumovitch4477 😅😂💀
Credit to Regis for keeping his composure when that happened. I would've been struck dumb.
Then imagine he gets it wrong
Honestly, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the producers told him to do that. That might be why Regis reacted the way he did.
When Chuck Norris wants to learn something new, he phones John Carpenter.
Chuck Norris is the answer
Ian hawke gave john all the answers
Chuck Norris. I bet 80% CZcamsrs have no idea. Miss old times.
Chuck Norris doesn't learn anything new because no fact dares tell Chuck Norris that he's wrong.
NOOO JOHN CARPENTER LEARNS FROM CHUCK NORRIS
All these years later and it's still one of the best moments in the show's history.
No doubt
I’d say it’s THE best one personally, at least in the US
777 likes and i blew it away, 😅😅
((ONE)) of the best?
It IS the best
When John was born, he congratulated his father for becoming his father.
😂😂
Ha ha 😂. Gold 😂
Before another John was born, _he_ congratulated Mary for being with Child. A very special Child.
underrated comment
When John was born, he noticed he was born with four testicles and turned to his mom and dad and said it’s OK you could move to them
Almost 25 years later and still one of the most badass moments in Reality TV
Even John’s phone call was considered as the funniest segments in millionaire history. Lol
Definitely the MOST badass moment of all time
@@Zeyad54yearsagowhy?
Simply the baddest moment on reality show..
@@kmarouf5154because it's was awesome Punk 😂😂😂😂😂
Who are watching this in 2024 ❤
India 🎉
Ghana
Philippines 🇵🇭
Arnold Schwarzenegger, in 2029
meee
Who is watching in 2024? Legendary this guy 💪
Me, I'm watching!
the -nth times!
Legen - wait for it - dary
The questions started off pretty easy, but I would not have been able to answer all of them on my own or even with the lifelines.
Me!
Using his lifeline to tell his dad he was going to win the million and didn't need his help is probably the most legendary flex I have ever seen. Way to go John Carpenter!
Imagine if he somehow missed, it would have been a life long meme instead
That episode was the pinnacle of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Everybody was talking about it in school the next day. RIP Regis
Thug life
@@fritos1445why imagine...!!
I'm here for this comment
He did this at a time where there was no google or wikipedia! Absolute genius this guy is...
Knowing alone doesn’t make you a genius. Using your knowledge in unique ways do.
Google was available at the time he won the show, but not wikipedia. Still, they can ask any number of obscure questions that few people will immediately know if they haven't studied in those areas. Like if you didn't study anything in the history of entertainment you could lose well before the million in this run.
Yeah but mobile data wasn't a thing back then.
@@bobbycorwen2341 It was.... Just 2G
Google was around
John looks more surprised when he won the draft, than when he won 1 mln bucks. What a legend.
Would you rather play a game against players or computer?
@@Khalruathe computer was made by humans.
That's because the Fast Finger question was the only difficult one
When he won the draft is when he won the million
The stars aligned for this guy that day. He had personal experiences for the most difficult questions 😂
But absolutely none of the questions were hard.
@@MrsSlocombesPuddyCat This was in 1999
@@MrsSlocombesPuddyCatNo some of them were come on. The Louvre, Devil's Tower, Vaccines, OK Corral, Laugh in, these aren't common knowledge, he just makes it look easy.
The Phoenix and Monotheism questions, they were a joke yes. I may imagine Phoenixes weren't quite as common in pop culture in 1999 though, I'd know it from Final Fantasy or X Men or whatever at the time and I suppose for 125k it was absurdly easy but maybe not something everyone knew. Monotheism, for 250k, that's ridiculous, how could people not know the other three are all old testament religions?
They are easier than they got later, the US early on was willing to use easy questions so they got a millionaire early on. That's not why this is cool, it's because he's cool. Even on other easy questions you see people freak out about the risk of the money in other episodes. He just never lost his cool or gets distrustful of himself. That's why people love this. John Carpenter just realises he's actually pretty cool.
@@MrsSlocombesPuddyCatYeah, okay.
@@MrsSlocombesPuddyCat you really know who design the dome for lourve before he said the answer?
Looking at this 20 years later, I am absolutely stunned at how easy these questions were.
the questions are not hard its just random, they could have ask who are the 3 starter Pokémon from the 1st season of the anime or who is the 8th president of the USA
Not all some are easy and some are hard because it's random
Very true
He got good RNG
I also felt that the questions were easy
regis handled it so well. he didn't overreact, he let the moment speak for itself and nailed it. such a pro.
Him not needlessly milking it out for like 10-15 seconds was a class act.
Well yeah, going off a script isn't exactly difficult...? Lol
@@Cjs3315 Must be hard growing up without a dad or any parental figure for that matter.
Stark contrast to the British guy who cheated in the British version of the show. That bloke changed his mind and shuffled through the answers on pretty much every question while this guy was self-confident and knew what he was doing
Regis was great, totally gracious in his “defeat” immediately acknowledging John’s confident play as a win. The drama had already passed because the audience totally believed he was right and there was only the conformation needed to celebrate. Regis handled it like a pro.
People are saying the questions are easy, you have to realize this was 1999. No internet, no social media. All information was from life experiences, reading books and all that stuff.
Now being online, you, like it or not, will randomly bump into things and learn new things. Back then, learning things must be a dedicated time and effort going through books, libraries, reading stuff and all. You have to dedicate time to learn things back then. now it's one google away from your phone. Shit you wouldnt even need to stand up and get a book by the shelf, or worse go to a library or whatnot.
Information didn't come as easy back then as how it is now. Now it's all on our fingertips.
Not to mention you have to be very lucky to get 15 straight random trivial questions and know all the answers.
Give me a break.
Not to nitpick at what you're saying, because you are mostly right... The internet has been around since 1993. The "Wikipedia" of that time period were encyclopedia's, which were used often in schooling (I remember having to use them in the '90s, to start the process of research for a given topic). Social media was also around then, but definitely not to the degree that it is today.
Much of the way of learning back in the '90s is still used today. You can still learn things via reading books - even fictional works, or media of varying kinds.... and no, you don't really have to put much effort into that either. It's just not as fast. Furthermore, while the internet is more readily available now, and thus information, discernment of fact from fiction is very important - even more so than reading back in the '90s.
Needless to say, the luck of having these 15 questions doesn't make it any less impressive. It helps that he stayed calm; tension prevents clear thinking. ^_^
Cheers!
An underrated part of this is how perfect Regis’s call is at the end. Truly one of (if not THE single) greatest moments in game show history.
The perfect call to end it - he was a true legend in the announcing game
my thoughts exactly! perfect!
Regis was a genius with people.
I still remember watching this live with a bunch of people, it was nuts
Wouldn't say it's underrated, it's generally rated above pretty much above any other game show moment.
Pure genius.He didn’t even cough.
Ha. I see what you did there
Lol 🤣
you meant his wife didn't cough???
@@sweetboy02125 Imagine recognising your wife's quiet cough sat behind you in a studio with 100 people in
IYKYK 👀
As a Brit the few hundred dollar questions were more difficult than the later ones. His phoning of his father to let him know he was going to win a million dollars was pure class.
I had no clue about the football question. 🤣🤣🤣
And what is pig Latin 🙉
@@opeth84 it's a mock language, used often between students. The premise is as follows: you take the first letter of any word qnd add "ay". You then say that "word"/syllable *after,* the 2nd syllable (correction: It should read the *last* syllable).
So, for example, hello would be "ello hay".
It doesn't work for all words, but that's the basic idea.I'm not sure if kids still use it. It was very common when I grew up in the 80s.
@@meehow72 literally who even remembers that
@@meehow72 Wow, interesting, thanks for clarification!
That sheer confidence throughout the show!! My man called his father and casually dropped the greatest and most badass moment in the history of reality TV and left silently!!
Most confident and gutsiest move in game show history! John Carpenter is a legend!
@@gibonzproject9710 No it's not lmao, proof or I call your comment cap
@@gibonzproject9710 if it had been fake this wouldn't had gone down in millionaire history . Oh I got it you are a 3 year old
@@gibonzproject9710 so are you calling this real or fake? Your messages are all over the place
@@gibonzproject9710 There's only one or two here that I don't instantly know. I don't really find it unbelievable that someone who was actually good at this could know all of them.
@@gibonzproject9710 yes? I mean I've never told him I was coming home with a million dollars but under similar circumstances he'd probably try to act the same way.
The fact he knew most of the answers in a similar way to Slumdog Millionaire, - from life experiences - is amazing.
I would imagine that plays a part in most of the big winners. Combination of luck and intelligence.
I knew all of them but the last two.
@@vladtheinhaler8940 i knew all of them but the last eight.
@@Studio732JRL Not intelligence but wisdom.
@@yoker88 Yeah, no. No. Sorry, pal. "Intelligent" is the better word there. Not "wisdom". Although both words are practically synonyms, and either usage would be fine here (for all intents and purposes). "Wisdom" speaks to the quality or soundness of a particular action (ie. That wasn't very *wise* of you put your ignorance on full display to the world, when you clearly don't have a clue what you are even talking about).
That said, I'm really not too interested in spending my Monday morning arguing over ridiculous semantics and nuances, so go look for attention somewhere else. Thanks anyway though, you goof
No coughs, no second guessing, just pure brilliance topped up with some humor in there 🙌🏽 Wonder where he is today.
Dead
If its not true then you're an asshole@@mikeoxlong3504
@@mikeoxlong3504 where did you get that info from?
@@gordonkako I made it up.
Amazing how we went on to make “The Thing” after this
They say he wrote the Halloween theme music for this moment.
ad making some furniture and houses
I remember watching this live and being amazed at how cool calm and collective this guy was the entire time
Well it wasn't really live. The show was taped weeks or even months brfore airing it
The correct word would be premiere.
I hate liers
john and samson, you two really are gen z and it shows, you dont know if this guy was sitting in the "live" audience or not, so sit the F down 🪑 👇
@@samsonchang7400 liars*
@@johndelacroix9909 so the live audience watched taped?
16:47 - I've seen this multiple times, and I've come to notice this: when the answer to the question comes up (Richard Nixon), his face slightly changes. John Carpenter knew at that moment that he was going to win $1 million. The fact that he came up with the swag move calling his dad to let him know that he will be a millionaire makes this moment all the more historic. There will never be another contestant quite like Mr. Carpenter.
The answer to the chocking question is wrong.
@@davidwootton683 no it's correct, the answer to the choking question is around the throat. It's known as the universal choking sign, where the person who is choking grabs their throat, showing that they need help.
the sign is known all over the world how dont u know it
@@davidwootton683 chock, /CHäk/, verb: gerund or present participle: chocking... Definition: prevent the forward movement of (a wheel or vehicle) with a chock
Dude, game shows are scripted. Calm down 🤣 By the way; someone wrote the word "gullible" on your ceiling, you should probably check that out!
25 years later watching it for first time !! I love it ❤
I got them all except that last one cooked me. But what a fuckin G. Grabbed the bag, his wife's hand, and dipped out.
I didn't even look it up, and I guessed Richard Nixon. I had no idea I was right until John said it.
Absolute madlad this guy. Never asked for 50:50 split, never asked for audience, just once at the end asked for a call, only to let his dad know he's about to win a million dollars. What a madlad! :D
E
"And he needs YOUR help... "
Mr. Carpenter in his head: "Oh, I can use this for even more swag"
That's because all of the questions were easy.... this isn't Jeopardy you know.
@@dutchy1121 sure...
It looked cool, but still it was stupid not to use all the tools you have.
At the last question he should have used all 3 options, 50:50, poll, and call.
Even if he was sure about the correct answer, the stakes were too high. He was balancing between 32.000 and 1 million.
Imagine, he uses 50:50 and suddenly Richard Nixons name disappear)) that would have been quite a drama)
I could never believe in a million years that a man named John, last name Carpenter, works at the IRS and becomes the first person to win and become millionaire in a TV show.
I really thought it was the movie guy John Carpenter until I read more of the comments
IRS always wins
yes and the questions were not that difficult!
@@avo_music Thank you all these clapping trds on here and.Really these questions were easy He went to the College at Rutgers Johnna Salk's he is a federal employee they asked easy ones that not only most can answer but were extra easy for him. Any person his age would know Richard Nixon was on laugh in and if not the other choices were after the show Johnson was the only real opposition and that was paper thin Look at any other top tier big money questions. They needed a winner because people were call foul they could do the 64,000 cheat so they made them easy. My nephew even said there will be a winner tonight because all the buzz and IRS agent just made it even more attention grabbing
That was the plan it was a set up super easy questions people complaining never a winner it was cartoonish set up
That smirk the second he heard the question, he knew the answer right away. Certified legend.
Who want to be John Carpenter? The confidence he shown while answering worth watching..
Ah yes, back when being a millionaire meant something. The irony of an IRS collector winning the big bucks and about to be taxed is just too good. This man basically created the phrase 'like a boss'. People are being jealous, they said the questions he got are easy. But you all have to realize that this was from a time before Internet was as popular as it is today. People collected and retained information through papers and life experience. What John accomplished here is absolutely incredible and should be given respect for it!
Could be stricpted
I mean if you're a millionaire today you never have to work again if you know what you're doing lol
@@CabbageYe knowing what you're doing is too much work smh
Also you need to answer all the questions right in a row...
No matter what he did, no one deserves insane amounts of money. Imagine having to work your arse off at the building site how much would you have to win to earn that much
I saw this when it first aired in 1999. One of the most memorable game show episodes of all-time. A true classic.
Same ! I was around 13. Remember it clearly.
Same. I was 11 at the time. One of my favorite episodes of the show.
I was 12. If not the most memorable game moments of all time
I was 4 and I still remember the excitement like it was yesterday.
he was loaded ....smart guy
What makes him such a badass isn't that he knew all the answers without using any lifelines, but that he was willing to take the risk of possibly being wrong.
When you know the answer, there's no risk of being wrong
I remember watching this as a kid live, what an absolute legend
John Carpenter is definitely the Main Character. This is his world and we’re just living in it
This cracked me up.
Even sounds like the name or some main character
Look at John Carpenter's body language 2 seconds after 16:38 - the point when he already knew the answer, he's relaxed as he knows he's won the show! What an amazing display of confidence! 💯 Superb show, great man.
And the follow up sigh of relief when he sees that "Richard Nixon" is an answer. He must have had a little thought in the back of his mind, worried there might have been two president's that appeared and he wouldn't know the second.
U rigth bro
Good observation
he was just smart
Dude knew he'd won the second he said "I.M. Pei."
John is a man of focus, commitment, sheer will...
I love Regis. There’s no one like him. He is greatly missed.
Yes, and nice of you to note HIM, his (Regis's) ability to improvise - to 'go with' whoever he is talking to, is so comforting, linvolving -as it does - (and I guess you know already), kindness and listening: what else do we ever want! ? J.
The way John used that lifeline was simply legendary
pure 🔥🔥🔥
And unnecessary IMHO
He just wanted to flex on the haters
He could have been the only person ever to win a million without using a single lifeline but he used one anyway just for our amusement. Gotta admire this guy
He just purposely timed the clock to 6 second and had all this 30 sec to call his father. This guy is a legend.
15:04 the way he smirks when the correct question shows up because he knew it before it was offered, but of course he already knew what the correct question was. So badass
No emotion. He just answered the questions, took the money and went home. Cold.
Yeah like a normal person
yeah, he looks a bit emotionless, it's a bit scary
What a sigma male
Yo he literally got boo’ed of course he did
He actually didn’t go home, he went to Paris right away
So confident yet so humble ,love him
@@gibonzproject9710 ikr? Everything feels so scripted
@@gibonzproject9710 you need to get a life man
@@gibonzproject9710 Prove it.
@@gibonzproject9710 Wdym by that? It's not like every father likes to reply to a question longer than the question.
@@gibonzproject9710 shock exists lol, if my son called me up and tell me that he won a million i wouldn't even be talking
Those $64,000-$250,000 questions are easier than the $8,000-$32,000 questions 😮
Just watching this now,in 2024❤
Keep in mind, that the only question he had any difficulty answering while on the program, was about his father's name.
bwahahaha 🤣🤣
Well he also apparently thought a drumstick is the thigh, not the calf. Like he would have gotten that wrong if they had both "thigh" and "calf" or "upper leg" vs "lower leg" in the choices for the answer. Weird how someone can know so much info, but still have a few random holes here and there. Dude dodged a bullet there at 5:20
One of the best and most memorable game show winners. Absolutely legendary and Regis is such an amazing host. RIP Regis
Ong Regis was a respectful and entertaining host, you don't see those a lot
Regis was great and funny
Still the most savage moment in tv history.
Good for him! I'm watching this 25 years after the original airing. I remember this when it originally aired and this episode was all over the news!
This might be the best moment in tv
History.
I am so proud of this guy even though I don’t know him ))) his dad must be proud too
Do you mean "best moment in tv History" worldwide or ONLY in the US. TV was on air in Germany in 1935.
Best moment I have seen.
Dumb question, but are you Russian? The only people I know who use ) instead of :) are all Russian / Belarussian and I find that quite interesting
@@wernersgaminglounge5235 lol
Not Russian, but my first language is indeed Russian )))
@@wernersgaminglounge5235 yes, it's interesting that " : " not used, why?
This is what we call a modern generation Einstein 🔥
What an iconic moment in television history, the smug IRS agent calling his dad, not for help, but to tell him he won the $$
I remember watching this on t.v. in its first airing of this episode. I've never seen anyone else BEFORE and AFTER this guy...be so confident in every answer. AND he didn't even have to use a single life line. That's incredible 👏
I don't know if it's because this is well after the Internet became such a thing, but a lot of these questions were very, very easy. Only three that I wasn't completely sure of, only two that I didn't have a clue.
@@Studio732JRL it was 20 yrs ago... When the world was 2g with no Wikipedia or google...
@@alfaaz..9444 I know. That's why I mentioned the Internet in the very first sentence.
@@alfaaz..9444 the internet.. single best and single worst invention for mankind. Simultaneously.
@@alfaaz..9444 But, there was internet since 1995
Perfect example of a person who made his parents proud
Every bit of this episode was legendary one. Dream for any player to play like that...Hats off to King John. 👑🙌
The father's laughing sounded like he knew he would win it!!
It amazes me that people think it was so easy to win the Million Dollars on this show. First, you have to go through a phone screening questionnaire. Then, you have to travel to New York and answer a question faster than all people who also qualified for the show and get it right. After that, THEN you finally get the privilege to answer the questions in order. And, to do what John did, you have to know ALL THE QUESTIONS. I bet people saying how easy the questions were wouldn't get the 16k question or 8k question right even with the lifelines.
Came with a Boo & left with a Standing Ovation
Absolute Legend👌🏻
Wow! this is an absolutely crazy video that can be rewatched anytime over and over. The use of Lifeline was insane stuff. John carpenter, hats off!!
I remember watching this live, and thinking what a rockstar move that was! Also very sweet that he called his dad to tell him ❤
This is the first time I have watched this beginning to end. I knew every answer. He was great. I had seen the end but never from start to finish. He made them go back and rewrite phone rules about announcing they won to the caller. It was fantastic. He is exceptional at strategic moves.
They had to rewrite a rule?
@@kimong.161 No one is to know the outcome prior to release of the show. The show can air months later. You are only supposed to phone a friend if you need help. They never dreamed anyone would call their friend to update them, hence the new rule that you could not call specifically to tell them you are winning the game with no helped and lifelines used for the purpose of help.
@@rebekahweber2413 what about people that are watching the show in person, wouldn't they know?
@@TheZeotrix You are responsible as the audience to not talk about the show prior to being aired. It is in the waivers and explained to you as a guest. It is also common sense. Ask any show producer. I enjoyed he had the guts to outsmart them at their own game. I thought it was hilarious.
@@rebekahweber2413 The same basic NDA any game show binds contestants to. I never knew Millionaire changed that, though!
If that last lifeline isn't the most legendary game show moment in television history... I don't know what is. So awesome!
Simply the coolest contestant of ANY gameshow that there will EVER be.
I’ve never had less fun watching someone win a lot of money.
I saw this live. Everyone was talking about it the next day. What a great moment in television history. I hope John is doing well.
He was arrested. After his wife disappeared and they found him 5 yrs later with his GF in Mexico.
I don't think that is true
@@you2449Proof?
@@graciegracie Just kidding.
@@you2449 Sorry, my bad, I took it seriously
When he said: "I'd like to call my parents" and his laughter when Regis read this question. Love it. I watched it when it happened and I still enjoy seeing it. Hope you're doing well, John.
right? not an anxious "I'd like to use a lifeline," just a calm "I'd like to call my parents." I can't imagine the adrenaline rush surging through him at that moment.
His face upon hearing the question says it all.
He knew it right away.
I was only like 9 or 10 when this aired and I still remember it to this day as well, I remember it even being so young at the time and of course I didn't know most of these answers yet myself, in part from watching this but I did eventually do stuff like watch Close Encounters and I didn't know much about religion as a kid, I could have answered that question right now too even without having seen this. The only ones I would have had trouble with I think are the polio vaccine,the Louvre and Laugh-In but thats why hes a legend he didn't need help on any of them at all, eventually I learned most of this stuff anyway not just from seeing the answer on the show but his confidence is something I can't match he is a role model in that sense too, and I am 32 almost the same age he was when he did this so its a good comparison.
17:58 Regis's Are you freaking kidding me face never fails to make me laugh. 😂😂😂
After watching this like 100 times, I just realised that John 'badass' Carpenter's laugh at 16:54 is exactly the same as his father's at 17:30. Like father, like son.
Good observation!
Badass observation
My father and I have the same laugh as well, it turns heads 😂
that’s cute!
Good father and genuinely good son.
John Carpenter is Definitely the GOAT (Greatest of All-Time) as a Contestant on Millionaire! Definitely the best moment of All-Time since Regis passed away
The British show has much tougher questions!
@@scarecrowman7789 American level u know 🤣
The best moment before this was Regis passing away?
@@geniozeqo229 he came again later and won 250 when the level was much harder.
@@nikunjsaboo91 hard for Americans I get it
Him calling his dad was cold af😂
I love this show I wish they’d air it again on prime time tv. I use to watch it with my parents when I was in high school
He's definitely the main character in this story
"heroes get remembered, but legends never die."
This Man set the bar so high. Incredibly clever and smooth. Amazing
Dude is a legend, these are the people we need to be famous.
I remember watching this live (or at least when it first aired). Such an incredible experience. This dude owned the whole show like a boss.
I remember when I saved Earth from the space rebellion gang known as the a09osufch90a8hsbr, they were no where near a match for me though.
This show was such a national phenomenon when it was on in prime time. It seemed EVERYBODY watched it and talked about it the next day. I even got a Regis style tie, as did a lot of guys!
@@tarantulamadness6191😂
Nah dude, you can’t just make claims about your experiences defending earth from intergalactic invaders. Pics or it didn’t happen.
@@tarantulamadness6191 thank you for your service legend
With all the massive respect to this man, the questions were honestly not nearly as challenging as many other contestants IMO. Still very impressive.
That’s what I was thinking,… very basic.
I pretty sure they bumped the difficulty after this, just like Jeopardy today is much tougher than it was in the '90s.
I thought that too, even though I didn't get all of them. IM PEI I should have known because I have been there, but I don't have an encyclopediac memory. I think this guy does. Some were just chance, he went to the university where that guy made the vaccine for polio, or at least had a center named for him.
@@abacab87 he didn't go to university where the guy cured polio. He went to a university with an institution named after the guy who cured polio.
This was aired in the 90's when Google and wikipedia were essentially non existent, there were no tik toks and youTube videos of gk or facts. All the knowledge you had those days were from books
Damn, I almost got the first question right, lol.
Qhat is so legendary, those questions were not as difficult as a lot of others on that show. He was smart, but also lucky to get thise questions
Incredible character this John. You gave us one of the best recorded moment of entertainment the world has ever seen.
E
He cheated there’s videos on it
@@chromosomecollector8310 He didn't cheat. :| In fact he returned later. Aside from that, most of these questions were not particularly difficult to answer, aside from a few.
@@chromosomecollector8310 no your thinking of Peter Ingram who went on the uk version of who wants to be a millionere
Dude came into this as an unknown and walked out a legend. Cold Stone Carpenter!
I remember watching this when it originally aired.
John Carpenter - real speedrun man!
RESPECT!!!😎😎😎
This is the best Who Wants to be a Millionaire moment . No one can beat that guy's performance . In 1999 he won that prize right now if he had won the exact price he wouldn't buy things he would get in 1999 's :D
The questions he got were common knowledge though. Like 5% of the population would have won the million too if they were in his shoes.
@@eloelo6944 5% seems not too common
And i guess the internet were still barebones and just getting popular
@@eloelo6944Not the last questions. Id say more like .05%
He smile at almost all the questions that looks like easy for him. What a great man
Most of questions were easy
@@Hisherly Yes they are made for americans after all
@@user-rh4sf3yf4p 😂😂
@@user-rh4sf3yf4pbefore the time of google, this guy really is an intellect
@@user-rh4sf3yf4p stop crying 1 year old kid 😁
Nice to watch this show without being distracted by a bunch of " CHEATING COUGHS"
To anyone watching this video…you are watching a piece seminal TV history. This guy was an IRS inspector but still tore through all the questions flexed on the final one and the crowd were still cheering him throughout. TV history right here!
the sad part of this is that the hardest question was the qualifier about the order of races by distance
Thats because it was to make sure none of the other contestants beat him to it, this is payment for letting someone of the hook with the IRS.😅
Was it though? Obviously a marathon is nothing compared to the others. The Tour de France literally is named the tour of France so you know that’s about to be long as hell, and if you know literally anything about it you will know it takes weeks to complete.. The only hard part was the Indy 500 or a dog sled race, both are known to be very long but not close to Tour de France length. So right off the bat if you have some pretty basic knowledge it’s a 50/50 question. I wouldn’t consider that to be the “hardest question” he saw.
He collected the money like a champ, no wonder he worked for the IRS! He definitely has nerves of steel and balls of iron...him calling his father to flex was the final nail in the coffin for the producers. I have seen the ending before, but the whole thing makes it all just better, especially the foreshadowing at 3:00 of "Needless to say, no one has reached the million-dollar mark yet. There always seems to be something that stops them cold. But out comes an IRS agent, and you know nothing stops them. Nothing."
And man do I miss Regis. Not only do we get to see the brilliance of the contestant, but also Regis's brilliance as well. Regis's charm was one of a kind (the dude even appeared in animated things like Shrek the Third and Lilo & Stitch the Series) and TV's just not the same without him.
IRS is fed, this was rigged for entertainment purposes
Calling his Dad at the end to tell him he won a million dollars the level of depth of that epicness! ❤😭
As a UK Millionaire fan, this is actually the first time I’ve watched a full run of the American version of the show, I have some interesting observations:
- They did an AMAZING job at replicating the look and aesthetics of the UK show, it literally looks like the same studio and the music is pretty much the same.
- Regis Philbin added a more comedic element to the show, and whilst Chris Tarrant was hilarious, he would really take his time building the tension even when the contestant was sure of something.
- John Carpenter was a COOL customer. I think if there had been more players like this in the UK hot seat the first million would have been won earlier. The UK contestants tended to be very wishy-washy about whether to play a question or take the money, this guy doesn’t even consider a lifeline on the questions he’s not 100% on, him calling his father on the final question is a moment of pure television history.
- I don’t know what other contestants on the show were like though as the only other clip I’ve seen from it is the one of the guy who got the first question wrong lol
The confident in this guy!!! In tat half a mil question, he didn't even looked at his monitor, but straight into the host eye. Legend!!!!!
He is working for confidant Uncle Sam.
Pretty smart, because he is going with gut feeling first. If he starts reading he may start questioning himself
Legend. I don't know how many times i watch this in the last 15 years and the excitement is always the same. Legend.
E
Wisdom is his!
Congratulations!
I saw this when it happened on TV... Legend!
I come back to this video every once in a while. What a legend.
He just dominated everything there like a boss sitting in a chair. ❤️
I never get tired of watching this. One of the greatest moments in game show history.
His unmatched perspicacity coupled with shear fizz makes in a feared opponent in any realm of human endeavor