Contestants use audience input, elimination of multiple choice options, and help from a friend to answer trivia questions for an escalating tier of cash prizes.

Correctly answering 14 multiple-choice questions could net contestants $1 million on a half-hour quiz show that's had a long run since its adaptation from the Brit show with the same name. Its format has evolved, but the basics remain: Answer trivia questions to win what could be very big bucks. Safety nets along the way guarantee sums that can't be lost once a contestant reaches certain thresholds -- and players can quit any time, but going for the million carries the risk of losing hundreds of thousands with one wrong answer. Contestants get "lifelines" to help reach the top.—Jwelch5742

A more recent version of the hit television quiz show. Starting with easy multiple-choice questions that gradually get more challenging, contestants have only their wits and three lifeline chances to see them through to the grand prize of one million dollars.—Jean-Marc Rocher <[email protected]>

Syndicated version to the big ABC Primetime hit show, with Meredith Vieira hosting. Rules are the same, with contestants answering questions to win money. If the contestant answers 15 questions straight, they will win $1,000,000. The contestants will have 3 lifelines in order to help them out throughout their journey towards the $1,000,000. In the syndicated version, there is no fastest finger round, and contestants simply go one at a time in a particular order.—Chris K