Ben Affleck and Jimmy Kimmel Help Contestant Nearly Win $1 Million on ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’
In a memorable episode of ABC’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, actor Ben Affleck and host Jimmy Kimmel teamed up to help contestant Ding achieve a near-million-dollar victory. The episode, which aired on Wednesday, featured Affleck as a celebrity lifeline, and the duo faced a challenging final question about presidential turkey pardons. The question read: “In an annual Thanksgiving tradition, all but which of these have been the names of turkeys pardoned by a U.S. president?” The options included names like “Popcorn,” “Liberty,” and “Courage,” requiring the team to identify which name had never been used.nnDing, who had already used his “Phone-A-Friend” lifeline earlier, called his trivia teammate Stephen Morrison, but Morrison was unable to provide the correct answer. With no other lifelines available, Affleck and Ding turned to the “Ask-the-Host” insurance policy, knowing that Kimmel covers the annual turkey pardon on his late-night show. Kimmel’s hunch proved crucial: he suggested that “Popcorn” was not among the pardoned turkeys, leading the team to select that answer. Their choice was correct, securing them the $1 million prize.nnThe episode highlighted the strategic use of lifelines and the value of celebrity knowledge. Affleck’s participation added star power, while Kimmel’s familiarity with the tradition underscored the importance of the host’s role. The moment was a standout in the show’s history, demonstrating how teamwork and quick thinking can lead to success under pressure.
Shimanta Das 
