"Second Chance"

Dr. Kurt Warkenthien slipped into the hot seat on ABC's "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" for the second time this season. Warkenthien, who first appeared on "Millionaire" in January, was back because the ABC producers goofed. On his $64,000 question, Warkenthien was asked:

What television show did both Woody Allen and Neil Simon write for early in their careers?

  • A. Texaco Star Theater
  • B. I Love Lucy
  • C. Laugh In
  • D. Your Show of Shows
The correct answer was "Show of Shows," according to the producers, but Warkenthien guessed "I Love Lucy." So, he walked away with his $32,000. Warkenthien didn't think anything of it. However, a few days later, an ABC producer called, telling him Millionaire made a mistake. Apparently, a producer from "Show of Shows" had called the producers. It ends up Allen and Simon had never worked on the program, so the question was wrong. That means Warkenthien would get another chance. But, he wasn't sure he wanted it.

"I said, 'forget it.' We had a good time the first time," said Warkenthien, "We don't need to do it again." However, producers called again, a few months later, offering to bring Warkenthien and his wife back to New York for a filming with another contestant whose question had also been inaccurate. This time, he was told the segment probably wouldn't make it on TV. Warkenthien accepted, and he and his wife boarded a plane bound for New York for a second chance.

The doctor made it through the first question, getting up to $64,000, but then was down for the count with the next:

In 1994, which left-handed boxer first defeated Evander Holyfield?
  • A. George Foreman
  • B. James Buster
  • C. Michael Moorer
  • D. Riddick Bowe
Warkenthien, who says boxing is the sport he knows the least about, answered Riddick Bowe. The correct choice was Michael Moorer.

While the second chance wasn't profitable, it was certainly enjoyable, according to Warkenthien. He says he and his wife had a wonderful time touring New York City before they headed back to their Naperville home.

As for the $32,000 Warkenthien brought home the first time, well, it's all gone. He spent the money on a couple of things. "I got the best personal computer for my kids," said Warkenthien, who has five children. The rest of it, the family practice physician invested into a new practice, "Golden Rule Family Practice," which is set to open this August in Naperville.

Warkenthien hopes it's the first of a set of franchises around the Midwest that offers what he refers to as a "high-end, high-caring, high-service" family practice. "House calls, home visits, the ability to see anybody who comes to the door, anybody who needs help," explains Warkenthien, who wants to win the trust of his patients the old-fashioned way-with the best care possible.