Who WANTS a Secret Millionaire?
by Greg Milner on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Last week I was asked to be a ‘secret millionaire’ on the Channel 9 show of the same name.
A producer emailed me with the details. Basically, I give up two weeks of my time, and at the end of it hand over $100,000.
It’s hardly a new idea. The franchise runs in a dozen or more countries, all the same format.
Undercover millionaire introduced to poor community, gets to know locals, volunteers to help, and at the end whips out a bag of cash and gives it to one or more of the downtrodden.
I don’t have a problem at all with donating to charity. I do it all the time. But call me old-fashioned and a cynic, I just have a problem with the concept of this show.
To me, it reinforces the dangerous idea so harmful to the working poor that simply because they are working poor, they deserve to have somebody hand them a bag of money. From the rich, who clearly have too much of it.
Seems all ass-backwards to me. How come nobody hands out bundles of cash to those who’ve worked hard, educated themselves, scrimped and saved, started and built businesses, created employment opportunities for others?
Here’s one thing I’m sure of: there will never be a reality TV show about people who pull themselves out of the gutter, start with nothing or less than nothing, make fortunes from ordinary businesses and prudent financial behavior over time. There are many more of those than there are Paris Hiltons or Madonnas or Wall Street bankers.
There won’t be such a show because TV producers think such a concept is passé, that the Haves only have by luck and theft, and have too much anyway. And the Have Nots can only be helped by hand-outs.
Or am I just being grumpy?
 |
A post by Greg Milner The odd idea, a bit of prodding, a nudge here and there, a little fun, and the occasional dose of brutal reality. Greg is co-founder and CEO of Worldwide Salon Marketing, a writer, direct response marketing consultant, specialist marketing systems adviser and coach. |
Like this article? Share it at:
Michael Curtis
Dec 3rd, 2009
Yeh, you’re a grumpy old ………..! LOL
Nah, you’re pretty much spot on most of the time for a Dictator! Haha
I need something outside the box Greg…wot hav u got????
Give me sumthin…it’s nearly Christmas for god sake…
Kathy
Dec 8th, 2009
I haven’t seen the show (too busy working for myself) but have heard of it. I hope you declined Greg, I happen to agree with your comments above about no show about those who work hard and just get by on their own, nobody hands out to us who just work hard for a living, doing the best we can, educating ourselves on the side with extra nights at Uni to get ourselves ahead a bit more while working 10 hours days as well. We are the small business who scrimp and save, give employment to others and just manage to keep our families in a comfortable lifestyle. Your right there will never be a show about us there are too many for us out there. But we are all proud of ourselves., At least I am, so call me grumpy too I don’t care.
My Late husband said to me once, I have the potential to earn as much money as I want, Just get out there, think about it and just do it. As a very young widow with 2 babies his positive sayings has been my inspriation for 16 years now. If I’d waited for a handout I’d sure as likely be sitting in the gutter today. I’ll never be a Paris Hitlon but working towards a Micheal Curtis ! (LOL)
Greg says: yes Kathy, I declined:-)
Michael Curtis
Dec 9th, 2009
Your funny Kathy…haha
However, something to think about that I have learned over the years is, if you think you’re a millionaire, you are
eve m kelly
Jan 7th, 2010
Michael Curtis is right if You think you’re milionaire,You are!!!!!!
Problem with us we dont go out of our way,to do something if it’s not working,i am looking for our new 2010 to do something to make it happend….
thanks for Greg ,You opening My eyes,been shut for to long ……