LANSING, February 11, 2010 – Three lucky Michigan Lottery players won over $3 million in cash in the second episode of Make Me Rich!, the Lottery’s game show. “Make Me Rich!”, which aired on Wednesday, was hosted by Christopher Knight, best known for his role as Peter Brady on the 1970s hit TV series “The Brady Bunch” and most recently as host of “Trivial Pursuit America Plays.”
Allen Byrd of Detroit was the lucky winner of $500,000 in the Holiday Riches game. Other contestants participating in the Holiday Riches game included Lori Smith of East China Township and Lisa Felice of Holt, who each received a $5,000 appearance fee.
Mary Cuschieri of Canton was the grand prize winner of $1 million in the Million Dollar Mega Play game. Other finalists participating in the game included Ala Brikho of Sterling Heights, and Erin Horton of Howell. Each finalist earned the right to appear on the show after each winning $1,000 on the Million Dollar Mega Play instant ticket. In addition to their $1,000 prize, non-grand prize winners were each given a $5,000 appearance fee.
David Alton of Troy was the lucky winner of a $2 million prize in the $20 Instant games $2,000,000 drawing. Additional contestants for the game included Beverly Laforest of Bay City, Daniel Hersey of Traverse City, Laura Sadro of Caro, and Marilyn Perry of Howell. Each non-grand prize winning contestant received a $5,000 appearance fee.
Created by Hollywood game show producer Jonathan Goodson Productions, “Make Me Rich!” will air new shows quarterly with a variety of exciting prizes. Christopher Knight will host future productions, with the third show slated to air in the summer.
Contestants won the opportunity to appear on “Make Me Rich!,” by winning cash prizes on Michigan Lottery Instant games, including $750 on the Holiday Riches Instant ticket; $1,000 on the Million Dollar Mega Play instant ticket, $1,000 on the Lottery’s $20 Instant games $2,000,000 drawing tickets. Viewers at home were also able to participate in the game show fun by texting-in for a chance to win one of five $1,000 prizes.
Anyone interested in being a future contestant can get more information by visiting https://www.michiganlottery.com/ and clicking on “Make Me Rich!”.
Over 98.5 cents of every dollar spent on Michigan Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2009, the contribution to schools was $724.5 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.
For additional information on “Make Me Rich!” and other games, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.
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