Section A·Page 8
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, February 17, 2000
Twenty One lucky for KU grad
U.S. Navy recruiter earns most money in game-show history
By Sara Shepherd
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Kansan staff writer
Knowing the final line of the last episode of Cheers may not be a graduation requirement for a degree in chemical engineering at the University of Kansas.
But the correct answer of "Sorry, we're closed" helped make 1994 KU graduate David Legler a little richer last night.
In three consecutive appearances on the NBC prime-time television game show Twenty One, Legler racked up a total of $1,765,000 to become the winningest contestant ever in television game show history.
"David, you're the new king!" said host Maury Povich in his loudest game-show-host-voice last night. "You have won $1,765,000 — more than anybody in the history of game shows."
Twenty One, hosted by A Current Affair veteran Povich, is a multiple-choice, question-and-answer quiz show where two individuals compete head-to-head as they attempt to answer a series of questions that vary in difficulty and point value.
Players are sequestered in soundproof booths and may only speak when the host instructs them. They are unaware of their rival's score and must play a game of chance and intuition when deciding whether to continue playing.
NBC representative Lisa Burks said
Legler first appeared on the show on Feb. 9. He competed again Monday and last night as the returning champion.
Legler missed his first question on yesterday's show, so he was set up with a contender. After shaking hands with his opponent Shaye Hall Davis, the two challengers proceed into their respective sound-proof booths.
"Let's play Twenty One," Povich said.
Legler replied, "Let's go."
Legler replied. Let's go.
After answering two more questions,
Legler and Davis were given the opportunity to stop the game.
Whoever had the most points would win, and Pavich made sure everyone knew the stakes weren't low for Leeler.
"And our audience, you know what will happen," Povich said. "This man will be the champion of all time in game shows."
Because he had more points then Davis. Legrer was the big winner.
"I'd like to stop the game," Legler said coolly.
Later, Legler wasn't so lucky with questions about French cuisine and the human body. He was quickly replaced by a new champion.
But at the end of the game, an assistant wheeled out a cart piled high with bundles of cash — all of Legler's winnings.
According to a University press release, Legler was a member of KU's Naval ROTC program and currently is a recruiter for the U.S. Navy.
Throughout most of the final game, the uniformed contestant kept a military-like stance . his hands clasped behind his back, elbows out and legs apart. His name, on a badge, flashed
"It was like 'Oh my God, that's David Legler.' "
Liz Gentry former student records clerk at KU Naval ROTC
above the right pocket of his khaki button-up shirt. An array of multi-colored badges were piled above his left pocket.
Liz Gentry, a former student records clerk at KU Naval ROTC. watched Monday's show.
She said Legier maintained his military attitude during the first part of that show, but loosened up after he passed the half-million mark.
"You could see all his inhibitions stripped away," she said.
Gentry said she hadn't seen Legler in a long time, but she recognized him right away when she spotted him on Twenty One.
"It was like 'Oh my God, that's David Leeler.'" she said.
Gentry said Legler now is stationed near Chicago in Great Lakes, Ill.
Todd Cohen, assistant director of University Relations, said he was pleased with the alum's accomplishment.
"We're always excited when KU graduates do well," Cohen said. "This is particularly a chance to show off their brainpower."
According to "Maury Answers Your Questions," an NBC.com online chat session with Povich, a contestant won $1,120,000 on the Feb. 2 episode of Twenty One — the largest individual prize to be awarded in television game history.
Until last night, that is.
Millionaire marries stranger on Fox show
Bv Jessie Mever
By Jessie Meyer
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Who wants to marry a millionaire? A lot of people would, but most wouldn't marry a stranger on national television.
That's what happened Tuesday night when Rick Rockwell, a real estate investor and motivational speaker worth millions, met and married Darva Conger on Fox television.
Conger was one of 50 women between the ages of 19 to mid-40s who were put on display on national television in bathing suits and wedding gowns.
The bride-to-be hopefuls were reduced to ten and then to five before Rockwell chose his life partner.
The bride and groom proceeded to the Las Vegas Hilton hotel where the ceremony was performed and taped.
The beauty-pageant-game-show wedding may be the first of several if the idea of a game show called Who Wants to Marry a Multi-Millionaire takes off.
"I'll be your friend, your lover and your partner." Conger told Rockwell before he made his decision. "You will never get bored."
At the University of Kansas, it doesn't sound likely.
After the wedding, the newlyweds escaped to an undisclosed location for their honeymoon.
"You couldn't pay me a million bucks to go on there," said Kent Bozarth, Englewood junior, of the chance to be on Who Wants to Marry a Multi-
"I'll be your friend, your lover and your partner. You will never get bored."
Darva Conger new bride to muti-millionaire
Millionaire. "It seems like people are looking for the wrong things."
Bozarth is not alone in his skepticism.
"I think it's a bad idea because they don't even know each other," said Carolyn Konar, St. Charles freshman.
"Marriage is supposed to be about love, and this is just for the money."
Conger signed a prenuptial agreement before the ceremony, which may dampen some of the criticisms about the money.
"A prenuptial agreement is a contract you would sign before you get married that would state how you wanted your property disposed of if you would get divorced," said Braxton Copley, KU staff attorney. "Basically, he gets to keep his multi-millions and she gets to keep whatever she brought."
Mike Darnell. Fox's executive vice president for alternative programming, came up with the idea of the show.
"The money is a cutesy motivational factor," Darnell told an Associated Press reporter. "I think mostly people are looking for a relationship."
- The Associated Press contributed to this
story
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