A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" had reached
the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly,
she would win $1,000,000.
If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only
the $32,000 milestone money.



And as she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was
no pushover. It was, "Which of the following species of birds
does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests
of other birds? Is it A) the condor; B) the buzzard; C) the cuckoo;
or (D) the vulture?"



The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer.
And she was doubly on the spot because she had used up
her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline.
All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline.
The woman hoped she would not have to use it because ...
her friend was, well .... blonde.



She had no alternati ve. She called her friend and gave her the question
and the four choices. The blonde responded hesitatingly: "That's easy.
The answer is C: The cuckoo."



The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered
employing a reverse strategy and giving Regis any answer except the one
that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blonde,
that would seem to be the logical thing to do.



On the other hand - the blonde had responded with such confidence, such
certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded.



"I need an answer," said Regis.



Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."



"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis.



"Yes, that is my final answer."



Two minutes later, Regis said, "That answer is .... absolutely correct!!



You are now a millionaire!"



Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends
including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars.



"Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant.
"How did you happen to know the right answer?"



"Oh, come on," said the blonde.
"Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks..!!!