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| | Thursday, August 31 ESPN's 2-minute drill begins now! | |||||||||||||||||
| ESPN's 2-Minute Drill game show will feature fast-paced drama as contestants compete against each other and the clock for cash prizes, ESPN Experiences and a chance to advance in the 2-Minute Drill contestant tournament. The winner of the 26-show tournament can collect between $100,000 and $200,000, plus four ESPN Experiences such as a trip with ESPN's College GameDay crew or MLB Spring Training with Peter Gammons.
ESPN's 2-Minute Drill, hosted by Kenny Mayne, will debut on Monday, Sept. 11 at
7 p.m. ET and will continue on Mondays, with Thursday editions added beginning Oct. 12. The series will culminate with the final on Christmas, Monday, Dec. 25.
The program, created and produced by Michael Davies, executive producer of ABC's Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?, and Andrew Golder, creator of Comedy Central's Win Ben Stein's Money, will test contestants' knowledge in a variety of sports. Each 30-minute program will feature show elements that have become Millionaire staples such as dramatic music, lights and camera angles. Each show will consist of three rounds.
Round One
Three contestants compete individually. Four panelists (sports celebrities and ESPN personalities) ask questions. The questions are not multiple choice in any round of 2-Minute Drill. The goal is to maximize the number of correct answers within the time frame. Each panelist has an assigned subject with five possible questions to ask the contestant (time permitting). Mayne starts each round by saying "Your 2-Minute Drill Begins Now!" Each contestant then has two minutes to call upon the different panelists who quickly read the questions. After each question and answer, the contestant selects a panelist (same or new). If a contestant is unable to answer a question correctly from a given panelist, they must select a different panelist for the next question. Each question is worth one point and the top two contestants will advance to round two. Round Two Two contestants compete individually. Unlike round one, panelists don't have assigned categories and contestants don't control who asks the questions. Instead, all four panelists plus Mayne ask rapid-fire questions on random sports topics. Each contestant has two minutes to answer as many questions as possible. Each question is worth a point. Two-round totals determine the winner. The winner collects money (see cash prizes chart), an ESPN Experience (see sample Experiences) and a chance to double their cash in the specialty round. The winning contestant also advances to the next phase of the 2-Minute Drill contestant tournament. Specialty Round Mayne asks a specific and difficult question in the contestant's pre-determined specialty (e.g. - The 1978 Yankees, Super Bowl XII, etc.) A correct answer doubles their prize money (see cash prizes chart). 2-Minute Drill Tournament Structure (26 shows: Sept. 11-Dec. 25) Qualifying Round: 51 contestants compete (first 17 programs; 3 contestants per show). Quarterfinals: The 17 winners, plus the top second-place finisher from the qualifying round (18 total contestants) are split up into six groups of three (shows 18-23, three contestants per show). Semifinals: The six quarterfinal winners are split up into two groups of three (shows 24-25; 3 contestants per show). Final: The two semifinal winners plus the top second-place finisher from the semifinals compete in the final show.
A trip to 2001 MLB Spring Training with ESPN's Peter Gammons NFL Sunday in Bristol/Live NFL Countdown screening and afternoon of NFL games with ESPN commentators A day of boxing training with ESPN's Teddy Atlas/Front row seats at an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights card A on-air spot in an ESPN This is SportsCenter promo Behind the scenes at the ESPYs in Las Vegas/Front row seats to the ESPY's Pre-game Show A bass fishing trip with ESPN's Jerry McKinnis | ALSO SEE Who wants to be a 2-minute drill contestant? | |||||||||||||||||