Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/The Million Second Quiz/archive1


 * The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.

The article was promoted by Ian Rose via FACBot (talk) 11:50, 21 June 2017.

The Million Second Quiz

 * Nominator(s): Bcschneider53 (talk) 12:09, 30 April 2017 (UTC)

I present my third attempt at bringing a game show to FA status: The Million Second Quiz. This short-lived series aired over 11 straight days in 2013. Ryan Seacrest of American Idol fame hosted the show, which only lasted for the one season. As always, all feedback is welcome; the show's criticism was largely based on the show's confusing format so please don't hesitate to ask questions. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 12:09, 30 April 2017 (UTC)


 * Comments from Aoba47
 * About.com should not be in italics in the references. Same goes for The Futon Critic. I would go through the references to make sure what should be in italics is in italics, and what should not be in italics is not italics. For the majority, it looks good, but it is always good to double-check this.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Remember to avoid shouting in the reference title (reference titles should not be in all caps even it is presented that way in the source (i.e. Reference 18).
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I have received this note in previous FACs and even GANs, but make sure that all of the works and publishers are consistently cited in all of the references, and not just for the first use.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I would expand on the alt text for the Ryan Seacrest image as it does not really illustrate much to the reader (saying the person’s name and occupation and the year does not exactly provide a clear description of the image at hand) if you decide to keep it (see below comment on this).
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * The “the Olympics of quiz” quote in the lead needs a citation.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * The last sentence of the first paragraph in the “Gameplay” section is lacking a citation.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I am a little confused by the caption for the studio as it says “original version”. Was there a revised version of the studio, a second version? Are you referencing the set used during non-primetime portions? If so, original to me sounds like this was replaced by something else and I do not believe that was the case here. Some clarification would be helpful.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Would it be helpful to break up the “Gameplay” section into one or two more subsections as there is a lot for a reader to take in and some guidance may be helpful (I can understand the criticism against the rules after reading through it). Maybe something for the “Winners’ Row” and “Winner’s Defense” section or something else. This is just a suggestion so feel free to disagree, as I am just trying to think of a way to make this section more approachable rather than a wall of paragraphs of text.
 * (Partly) done. Added a "bouts" section --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you. I think that helps a lot just to make it more approachable to a reader. Aoba47 (talk) 16:12, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * It would seem that the image of the hourglass structure would be more appropriate for the “Production” section as that is where the structure is discussed. I know you want to keep the images of the hosts on all of the game show articles for consistency, but I believe the move would be better as I was slightly confused by the positioning of the image in a place where the gameplay is the focus rather than the picture structured, and I do not see how an image of Ryan Seacrest really illustrates anything further to a reader. This could also help with the confusion that I had with the caption possibly.
 * Done? If you insist, I'll remove the Seacrest image, though as you said, for consistency reasons, I would like it to stay (I've even been asked to add a host image before, so I obliged). --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I will leave the decision regarding the Seacrest image to other more experienced users (i.e. FAC reviewers). I still do not see the value of it necessarily, but that is just my personal opinion and I do not want to enforce that on you or the article so I will leave that up to your personal preference and to other people who comment on here. Aoba47 (talk) 16:12, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Do we know what happened to the structure after the show’s cancellation?
 * Beats me. I'm not sure what one would do with a gigantor hourglass... quite a good question actually... --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I figured that there would not be much information about this, but I just wanted to make sure. My best bet is that it was disassembled/demolished after the cancellation of the program. Aoba47 (talk) 16:12, 2 May 2017 (UTC)


 * Wonderful work with this article. I will support this once my comments are addressed. Hope this helps in a small way at least. Aoba47 (talk) 00:20, 1 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks again. I'm still keeping your FAC in mind. If it passes or gets archived before I get around to it, feel free to ask me if I can do something else for you. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:59, 2 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you for you note, and wonderful job with this article. You inspire me to work on a game show article in the future (I have a few in mind actually lol). I will leave the discussion regarding the Seacrest image to other users as it would be better to get a more experienced viewpoint on that matter. I will support this for promotion. Good luck with getting this promoted and have a wonderful rest of your day! Aoba47 (talk) 16:12, 2 May 2017 (UTC)

Comments from Smurrayinchester
A nicely written article about a very odd gameshow (almost Touch the Truck levels of odd, in fact). There is however one fairly big gap, I think: there's not much about how the show actually worked when it wasn't being shown live. The description of prime time bouts is quite detailed, but the explanation of off-screen ones is very offhand. Did the quizzes really go on 24 hours a day? How did contestants sleep? Were there "Challenger", "Line Jumper", and "Winner's Defense" bouts outside of prime time? This needs more explanation before I can support. Smurrayinchester 12:43, 9 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you for this; yes, it's quite odd....... Anyway, I don't really have the time to do much research now but I should within a few days or so. I can tell you right away that all the non-prime time bouts were all the same (no Challenger, Winner's Defense, etc) and that several contestants were unhappy with how they were treated and couldn't really get too much sleep (in hindsight, this show was a cool idea but it was horribly executed). Now to find sources for that information... --Bcschneider53 (talk) 20:31, 9 May 2017 (UTC)
 * This source seems to have some insider information...would this be an acceptable source for me to use? --Bcschneider53 (talk) 13:34, 13 May 2017 (UTC)
 * My understanding of the sourcing rules is that it's OK if you make clear in the text that it's a primary source and only shows one guy's perspective. So something like "Seth Stevenson, a journalist for Slate, took part in a nighttime slot and described...". It shouldn't be used as a general citation to explain what the show was like, because it's just one guy's perspective. Smurrayinchester 07:40, 16 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Sounds great. Thanks again. My apologies for being so slow for a seemingly simple task. RL work always comes first...and there has been quite a lot of it recently. Still not sure when I'll have time to do this, but I haven't forgotten! --Bcschneider53 (talk) 01:33, 17 May 2017 (UTC)
 * I have done my best to expand the non-primetime part of the gameplay section, and have also added to the Reception section with the Slate article. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:36, 21 May 2017 (UTC)
 * That looks good to me. Support Smurrayinchester 07:24, 21 May 2017 (UTC)

Comments from Cas Liber
What a weird show! Am reading and I think you've done a good job trying to make sense of the confusing format for the reader. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:09, 31 May 2017 (UTC)


 * I'd add a conversion of 500 seconds to minutes to help readers.
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:44, 1 June 2017 (UTC)
 * " out-scores" is one word with no hyphen
 * Done. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:44, 1 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Seacrest then announced that Kravis's winnings would be increased to $2,600,000 - was any reason given?
 * Because they felt like it. (Actually, they wanted to surpass Jennings' original Jeopardy! total, but still...) --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:44, 1 June 2017 (UTC)
 * It would be good if there was any source material for a legacy/postscript section, either that shows copied it or avoided it as a cautionary tale...or something.

A nice read overall. Within striking distance of FA-hood methinks. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:14, 31 May 2017 (UTC)
 * Hopefully the first three are amended. I've done some pretty extensive searching so I'm afraid there's not much more I can add, though I can tell you the show's "legacy" (if it even has one) is not very good. But as you said, this show was ridiculously weird, so... --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:44, 1 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Yeah if we have nothing we have nothing. Anyway, I can't see anything else to fix, so support on comprehensiveness and prose. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 03:17, 1 June 2017 (UTC)

Coordinator comment: Unless I've missed them somewhere, we still need an image and source review. These can be requested at the top of WT:FAC. Sarastro1 (talk) 16:23, 3 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Will request. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 01:59, 4 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Image review:
 * File:MillionSecondQuiz.jpg: Perfunctory but OK non-free rationale. Usage seems proper.
 * File:MSQ Hourglass.jpg: I notice that the uploader is a sock of a persistent block evader, but apparently copyvios weren't a part of their resumé. Otherwise, both license and use seem fine for me.
 * File:Ryan Seacrest 2013.jpg: Both license and use seem fine for me.
 * OK alt text. Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk, contributions) 09:41, 4 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks! --Bcschneider53 (talk) 12:36, 4 June 2017 (UTC)


 * References formatted consistently Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 00:59, 13 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Earwig's copyvio checker all good. Did have a couple of borderline results due to (attributed) quotes, so no problem. Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:03, 13 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Spot check - footnotes 15, 17 and 19 all check out (material cited and faithful to sources) Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 01:06, 13 June 2017 (UTC)


 * Comments by Mymis
 * "Original network: Webcast (internet)" -> Webcast is not a channel. Should be NBC.com, and Internet is always capitalized.
 * "... day earlier at 7:17 AM EDT" -> Link EDT.
 * Ref 22 needs author, same with 23.
 * Forbes Magazine -> Forbes
 * Engadget has an article
 * Is it different from this one? I'm not sure what you're asking for here... --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:05, 17 June 2017 (UTC)


 * What is the source for "Theme music composer" and "Opening theme"?
 * Only three reviews in "Critical reception" section?? And you devote the entire paragraph for each one of them?? What about cutting them by at least half, and add other reviews from, let's say, Variety, Digital Spy, The Hollywood Reporter etc etc etc.
 * Done everything except this. Working now. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 03:05, 17 June 2017 (UTC)

Mymis (talk) 16:18, 16 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Ok, went from three to six reviews and trimed the others. Better? --Bcschneider53 (talk) 04:25, 17 June 2017 (UTC)


 * I meant to wikilink Engadget, but you did that already.
 * Oh, ok.


 * Still no source for "Theme music composer".
 * Yes there is. The source is a compilation of facts about Icona Pop, stating that "their song" All Night is the show's theme.
 * Go ahead an trout me for this...I think I fixed it now. My apologies :)


 * "negative reviews from television critics and the public alike," -> you don't discuss the public's reaction anywhere, only television critics' opinion.
 * Removed public note.


 * There is very little about the ratings of the show. Now there is only information about how each episode compares to one another. Were the ratings of the show in general good or bad? How did the ratings compare to other shows of similar format or shows that aired in the same timeslot on other networks etc? Did NBC air any similar game shows afterwards?
 * I will add the timeslot ranks if available.
 * Done, comparable to other shows in its timeslot but not to any other similar game shows that I can think of.

Mymis (talk) 00:45, 18 June 2017 (UTC)
 * Responded above. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 01:40, 18 June 2017 (UTC)
 * I believe all has been amended and it is ready for another look-through. --Bcschneider53 (talk) 02:18, 18 June 2017 (UTC)


 * Because Icona Pop performed the song, it does not mean they wrote it too. In "Opening theme" put ""All Night" by Icona Pop", and then just don't use "Theme music composer" parameter at all.
 * Done


 * In terms of ratings, there is still no indication if the ratings were "good" or "bad". There must be some article that evaluates the ratings. Then you could put "XX described the ratings as XXX".
 * Done with the O'Connell source.

Mymis (talk) 23:00, 18 June 2017 (UTC)
 * They say third time's the charm. Is this better? --Bcschneider53 (talk) 00:33, 19 June 2017 (UTC)


 * All the issues brought up were addressed. You have my support. Good luck with the nomination! Mymis (talk) 11:34, 19 June 2017 (UTC)

I'm competing in the WikiCup and am borderline on making it to the next round. By my calculations I believe I have 4 supports, and both an image review and a source review have been completed. Are there any outstanding issues that would prevent this from being promoted within the next couple of days? Thanks, --Bcschneider53 (talk) 01:08, 21 June 2017 (UTC)

Ian Rose (talk) 11:50, 21 June 2017 (UTC)
 * The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.