….
[Random Household - Evening]
The aroma of freshly popped popcorn hangs in the air of the Miller family living room.
Seven-year-old Leo is perched right in front of the TV, knees drawn up, while his older sister Chloe, 16, is attempting to do her homework on the sofa, occasionally glancing up.
Their parents, David and Sarah, are settled in, holding steaming mugs of tea.
"Quiet, everyone! It's starting!" David exclaims, shushing the room.
The screen of the T.V in their homely family fades from black.
The iconic MILLIONAIRE logo spins into view with that unmistakable synthesized heartbeat sound - DUN-dun, DUN-dun, DUN-dun - growing louder and more intense.
The audience is on their feet, clapping enthusiastically. The lighting rig creates an almost otherworldly atmosphere - deep blues and purples with sharp white spotlights cutting through the manufactured tension.
ANNOUNCER V.O. ["From a Netflix original, presented in Culver City, California... It's a special CELEBRITY WEEKEND edition of... WHO! WANTS! TO BE! A MILLIONAIRE!"]
The dollar sign logo glows bright.
The theme music swells as the unflappable host of America's favorite game show steps into the light.
["Welcome, welcome, WELCOME everybody! Thank you so much for being here!"] Meredith Vieira's warm, yet authoritative voice booms from the speakers.
The audience cheers. She waits for them to settle, that practiced pause that lets the energy build just right.
["It is the penultimate episode of our second wildly successful season, and we are celebrating with our 'Celebrity Weekend' special!]
She walks slightly away from the podium, more casual now, like she's sharing a secret with millions of viewers at home.
["Our celebrity contestant tonight isn't just any Hollywood hotshot. He's not just a screenwriter and director–
Pause for effect. The camera slowly pushes in on her face.
["Our contestant tonight... is one of the people who actually CREATED this show."]
Unlike the viewers who are watching the telecast fully knowing the celebrity, the live audience gasps and murmurs, looking at each other in surprise.
She continues. ["That's right! However, the story is something that would be worthy to hear from the man himself."]
["And tonight, the creator faces his creation. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our Celebrity Weekend contestant - writer, director, creative director of this very show, and the man behind next week's most anticipated superhero movie–
["REGAL SEREPHSAIL!"]
The audience EXPLODES.
The screen cuts to the entrance as Regal Serephsail emerges from backstage.
He is twenty-six, lean and composed, wearing a charcoal blazer over a black t-shirt - effortlessly cool without trying. His blonde hair is slightly tousled, and there is an amused smile on his face.
As he walks toward Meredith, the camera catches his profile - he waves to the audience, that casual hand raise.
[GRAPHIC OVERLAY appears on screen: "REGAL SEREPHSAIL - Writer/Director/Creative Director"]
He reaches Meredith and they embrace warmly. She is clearly delighted to see him.
["Regal! Oh, it's so good to see you!"]
["Meredith, you have no idea how surreal this is."]
They settle into position - Meredith at her podium, Regal lowering himself into the infamous Hot Seat.
["Once again - welcome, Regal!"] Meredith says with a laugh. "It is so wonderful to have you out here. I feel like I should be asking you if the lighting is okay."
["That was a nice jab."]
["Oh, it's an honour coming from you."]
Regal leans back in the chair, the massive million-dollar board hanging over his shoulder. ["But honestly though, the lighting is perfect - a flawless ten out of ten. But I did tell them to make the blue a little more 'existentially deep' for the special. You know, to match the stakes."]
A chuckle ripples through the audience.
Leo whispers. "Dad, he helps make the show? Will he know all the answers?"
David whispered back. "Well, Leo, he helped create the format, not the questions. But the man is a genius when it comes to filmmaking, let's see what he can do."
….
Obviously, this episode had already been filmed before this broadcast, but during the shoot, a behind-the-scenes approval issue arose because of Regal - or because of something he did.
Sammy, the creator of Netflix and the driving force behind Netflix Originals, loosened his tie as he paced in the production office. Several staff members looked stressed, checking clipboards and monitors.
The door opened and one of the producers walked in, holding a sealed envelope with obvious care.
"Sir, I found it."
Sammy took the envelope and checked the seal immediately. It was intact - unopened.
"God, Regal, what are you planning..." he muttered to himself.
The envelope contained that day's questions, all of them, from the easiest warm-ups to the million-dollar finale. Only two people had access to these questions: Sammy himself, and the show's director, whom he trusted completely.
The questions were prepared by more than twenty different writers, vetted for accuracy and entertainment value.
Even the host didn't know what questions would be asked until the moment arrived, it was part of maintaining the show's integrity.
But today's guest was special - Regal.
The situation was unprecedented.
Approximately eighteen months ago, when Sammy had proposed starting Netflix Originals and Regal had bought seventy-five percent of Netflix's shares, Regal had given him the format and script for 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire'.
They were only in their second season, but the impact had exceeded anyone's expectations.
With just one season, the show had attracted massive recognition. The concept was simple, brilliantly simple, but its execution was what made it addictive television.
Now Regal was appearing as a guest, which would undoubtedly boost ratings even further.
While the primary reason for his appearance was promoting his upcoming film, [Iron Man], he would also be promoting the show itself.
The ethical question gnawed at Sammy.
He had given Regal the sealed questions just before filming began, something he had never done for any other contestant.
It wasn't about cheating the audience; his goal was always to entertain. But this method was only being used for Regal.
Normally, for celebrity episodes, they might give a few hints or slightly easier questions.
But for Regal, he had provided everything.
It wouldn't matter if Regal decided to answer every question correctly using knowledge. The entertainment value would still be there. The promotional benefit was immense.
But here was the envelope, returned. The seal is completely intact.
Regal hadn't even opened it.
Sammy stared at the envelope for a long moment, then slowly smiled.
"Of course he didn't." Sammy said quietly.
….
Meredith begins. ["So let me ask you the question everyone at home is wondering - you CREATED this show, and now you are playing it. What is going through your mind right now?"]
Regal laughs, and it's a genuine, slightly self-deprecating sound. ["Honestly? I am thinking, 'This was a terrible idea.'"]
Leo giggles.
Meredith grins.
Regal added. ["No, but seriously - when I was pitching this concept, I was thinking about dramatic tension, about psychology, about the philosophy of risk versus reward. I was thinking about game theory and how to create compelling television. I was NOT thinking about what it would feel like to actually SIT in this chair."]
Meredith. "And what DOES it feel like?"
Regal responded. "Like I am about to take final exams again, except this time millions of people are watching me potentially fail on national television."
More laughter. The camera cuts to audience members nodding and smiling.
MEREDITH: "Well, you know, there is a story I want our viewers to hear, because I think it's fascinating.
"Sammy Davies told me how this show came to be. Tell us - how did this happen? It is understandable if you were still struggling for recognition at that time. But you already had your second break through with [Death Note]."
Regal nods, settling back slightly in the chair, more comfortable now with the storytelling. "I had met Sammy during one of our [Death Note] screenings. I must press this what I am about to say–
"Sammy is a passionate man in whatever he does. He loved [Death Note], and when he heard that I had a longer format script for the film, but had to shorten it to fit for film length he somehow took it upon himself and approached me to make a T.V version of the film."
"But I was already knee deep in making [Hangover] at that time, and honestly making [Death Note] was not in my plans at that time. So I was honest with him, but man he was tough to get rid off."
"He continued to be touched, and expressed his willingness to work with me as a producer of any of my works."
Meredith smiled faintly. "I can see that happening."
Regal nodded. "Yeah. That's when I finally told him about this idea I'd been carrying around for years, a game show concept I never got the time to explore properly."
"And that game show was?" she asked.
Regal's tone softened with a hint of pride. "This one. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
The audience applauds. The camera catches Regal looking slightly at more ease and pleased.
….
"I still believe all the credit goes to the man. I was one who came up with the idea, yes. But this show required a passion like him - that helped push it forward. Sammy did all the heavy lifting, of course. He is a real genius. And I got to stay involved as a creative consultant and eventually creative director."
Meredith tilted her head. "All while you were building your film career."
Regal smiled. "Trying to, yeah. It's been a wild few years."
Meredith glances at screen, then looks back at him with a knowing smile.
….
Soon after, the Game Begins.
Meredith continued with the opening banter, establishing the rules for the viewers at home who might be new to the show.
"Now, you know how this works because you helped design it!"
They both laugh.
"But for anyone just joining us - you will face fifteen questions of increasing difficulty. You have three lifelines: 50/50, Phone a Friend, and Ask the Audience."
"The money is guaranteed at $1,000 and $25,000. You can walk away at any time with the money you've accumulated. But answer incorrectly, and you drop back down to zero. The goal, of course—"
"To become a millionaire." Regal finished with a smile.
The lights dim dramatically. That heartbeat sound effect intensifies, DUN-dun, DUN-dun, DUN-dun. The camera pushes slowly into a close-up on Regal's face.
"And all your winnings tonight go to charity. You've chosen?"
"The Motion Picture & Television Fund." Regal answered. "They provide assistance to entertainment industry workers facing hardship. Seemed appropriate."
The audience applauded warmly.
"Wonderful choice. Are you ready to play?"
Regal settled deeper into the Hot Seat, his expression shifting from casual to focused. "Let's do this."
The lights dimmed slightly. The heartbeat sound intensified. The game was beginning.
"For five hundred dollars..."
In the Miller living room, Leo scooted even closer to the TV. Chloe had abandoned all pretense of homework. David and Sarah leaned forward, tea forgotten.
On screen, Regal Seraphsail, Oscar-winning screenwriter, director of billion-dollar franchises, creator of the very show he was now playing, prepared to answer his first question.
The game was on.
The first two questions were straightforward, designed to ease contestants into the rhythm of the game.
For someone like Regal, they were almost insultingly easy.
$500: "What was the first 'talkie'—the first feature-length film with synchronized dialogue?"
Regal didn't even hesitate. "The Jazz Singer, 1927. Final answer."
"That's correct!"
$1,000: "Which film is considered the first full-length Technicolor feature?"
"Becky Sharp, 1935. Final answer."
"Right again!"
The audience applauded. Regal had answered both questions about Hollywood history without breaking a sweat - appropriate, given his industry background.
Meredith smiled. "Well, two questions down and you haven't even blinked. Before we continue, Regal, I have to ask - you mentioned you have a little project of your own coming out next week. Tell us about [Iron Man]."
Regal takes his chance, eyes sparkling - and you can see his energy shift - this is clearly something he's passionate about.
"It's an action-packed superhero origin story, Meredith, but with a big, beating heart about redemption and responsibility. It's about a billionaire weapons manufacturer who has a life-changing experience that forces him to confront the consequences of his work.
"He builds a high-tech suit of armor and becomes something more than just a man - a symbol of change. Think cutting-edge technology meets personal transformation, with explosive action and surprising humor.
"It hits theaters next Friday. The whole team is very proud of it."
A graphic overlay appeared on screen: "IRON MAN - In Theaters October 4th" with striking poster imagery.
Meredith nodded enthusiastically. "You've already gotten incredible buzz—I saw you're at ninety-four percent on the Rotten Tomatoes interest meter."
"We've been very fortunate with the early response," Regal acknowledged, his humility genuine despite the impressive numbers.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
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