History Main / Lifelines

* In the ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'' GameShowAppearance, the fictional game show ''Gold Rush'' has the same lifelines as ''Millionaire'' (because it was originally going to ''be'' ''Millionaire'', but they couldn't get permission). Del calls Rodney ... who unfortunately has been getting {{Prank Call}}s from Mickey Pierce and [[MistakenForPrankCall assumes it's a wind-up]]. Since the [[AlwaysALiveTransmission broadcast is live]], Cassandra soon points out his mistake. In a further irony, he gets the answer right, and Del goes with it ... but the ''question setter'' got it wrong.

* ''Series/WinningLines'': During the "Wonderwall" bonus round, the contestant could use a "Pit Stop" to freeze the clock for 15 seconds to assist in locating an answer. The U.S. version added the ability to pass up to two questions.

* ''Series/AreYouSmarterThanAFifthGrader'': Players used "Cheats" that they could use that would incorporate the onstage kid's answer: "Peek" (look at the answer, but not be committed to it; the contestant ''had'' to answer, however), "Copy" (lock in the kid's answer as their own), or "Save" (get credited for a right answer if the player was wrong but the kid was right).

Basically, in any game show with only one contestant trying to win a massive prize, they are given limited-use assists that can be used at any time to aid their chances of winning. Generally, it's to stop players from bailing out at the first sign of trouble, as almost all of these shows include a rule where the contestant [[AllOrNothing loses all or most of their winnings]] if he gets so much as a single question wrong.

Basically, in any game show with only one contestant trying to win a massive prize, he is given limited-use assists that he can use at any time to aid his chances of winning. Generally, it's to stop players from bailing out at the first sign of trouble, as almost all of these shows include a rule where the contestant [[AllOrNothing loses all or most of their winnings]] if he gets so much as a single question wrong.

-->--'''Series/{{MADtv}}''' sketch "One and a Million".

* ''Das Quiz mit Jörg Pilawa'': Mostly done in the form of your teammate: since the two team members alternate answering questions, once an answer is locked in by the playing member, the other one gets to decide whether to accept the answer or use a Veto to reject it and choose a different answer. The team gets four Vetos at the beginning of the game, one of which can be used to switch the question instead.

** The [=XBOX=] Live Arcade version of the show took the third help and extrapolated to "Trust the Mob" (as above), "Trust the Crowd" (lock in the answer most commonly given by everyone playing, including the mob) and "Trust the Top 10" (lock in what the 10 highest scoring players for the session had picked the most).

* ''Series/{{Shafted}}'': The "Shift", used to force an opponent to answer a question meant for the shifting player. If the opponent gets the question right, they steal the bidding amount of the shifting player; otherwise, they lose such amount. Each player has one Shift at the beginning of the second round, to be used anytime from that point.

** The American version, hosted by 13-time NBA All Star and 3-time champion Dwayne Wade, uses Wade as a Lifeline instead of "Trial Run"; called "One Shot", Wade gets, well, ''one shot'' to attempt the challenge on behalf of the contestant, with the same stakes for success or failure.

'''Host:''' It's burning you because it's filled with sensitive electronics that could help you win one million dollars! You can Text a Teacher, Borrow the Truth, Accuse a Parent, or Open a Trap Door down to the Clue Chamber where you just might have to face... ''The Commissioner!!'' ''(dramatic orchestral sting)''

** The star-studded SpinOff, appropriately titled [=StarQuiz=], which sees two teams of two celebrities play at a time, features two helps for each team: "Zweite Chance" (Second Chance, basically Double Dip from Super Millionaire) and "Schieben" (Push, which merely discards the question).

** The star-studded SpinOff, appropriately titled StarQuiz, which sees two teams of two celebrities play at a time, features two helps for each team: "Zweite Chance" (Second Chance, basically Double Dip from Super Millionaire) and "Schieben" (Push, which merely discards the question).

* On ''Series/{{Deal or No Deal}}'' the contestant has the ability to counter-offer once during the game (beginning with the 2018 revival). By doing so, the Banker has the final say in whether or not the counter-offer can be accepted; if it is accepted, the game ends and the contestant goes home with the amount of money that the contestant declared. If the counter-offer was rejected, the game continues and the contestant is forced to open additional briefcases.

* In the ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'' GameShowAppearance, the fictional game show ''Gold Rush'' has the same lifelines as ''Millionaire'' (because it was originally going to ''be'' ''Millionaire'', but they couldn't get permission). Del calls Rodney ... who unfortunately has been getting {{Prank Call}}s from Mickey Pierce and [[MistakenForPrankCall assumes it's a wind-up]]. Since the [[AlwayALiveTransmission broadcast is live]], Cassandra soon points out his mistake. In a further irony, he gets the answer right, and Del goes with it ... but the ''question setter'' got it wrong.

* In the ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'' GameShowEpisode, the fictional game show ''Gold Rush'' has the same lifelines as ''Millionaire'' (because it was originally going to ''be'' ''Millionaire'', but they couldn't get permission). Del calls Rodney ... who unfortunately has been getting {{Prank Call}}s from Mickey Pierce and [[MistakenForPrankCall assumes it's a wind-up]]. Since the [[AlwayALiveTransmission broadcast is live]], Cassandra soon points out his mistake. In a further irony, he gets the answer right, and Del goes with it ... but the ''question setter'' got it wrong.

* ''Moment of Truth'': The hopefuls were called upon to answer highly embarrassing and potentially damaging questions about themselves (affairs and past crimes were common subjects). A [[BigRedButton big glowing button]] was situated in front of the family and friends' lounge; which could be used (at their mercy, but only '''once''' during the game) to switch the question if they were feeling uncomfortable with the current one.