On the night of January 14, 2001, Marty Scott, an attorney, was within 2 questions of becoming the new quiz show king, dethroning David Legler. The Jackpot had reached $1.77 Million, but he is quite happy being a quarter millionaire. Marty re-live's his big money experience with WWTBAM2001.tripod.com.

WS: Marty, you are tied for the Top 67 All-Time Winners in American Television. When you were on, the bonus had reached $1.77 Million. During the commercial break after you won your $250,000, what was the pressure like of knowing that with just 2 more correct answers you would become the new quiz show king?

MS: Actually, during the break, it didn't really hit me. Michael Davies, the show's creator, came out to talk to me during the break. He told me I was doing great and to take all the time I needed on the next two questions. It really sank in when we came back from the break and Regis went through the checks showing where I was and what would happen if I answered one or two more questions or if I missed. This part got edited out. I think it was because they had mis-typed my name on the $500,000 check, and we had to re-tape the scene after the horn sounded. I guess they couldn't get a "clean" edit.

At the time, I wasn't thinking about becoming the all-time Game Show champ. I was hoping that I would know the $500,000 question because I had just burned all my lifelines.

WS: Recently, with Debby Mittleman's $0 Loss, and you having to Ask the Audience at $300, what are your feelings about the writers and their definitions of "Popular Phrases?" A Lot of people who don't live in New York don't seem to know them.

MS: I think the phrase that caused me to burn the ATA lifeline is much more common than the one that did in Debby. Since my show aired, I have had a number of people tell me that they knew "Too Pooped to Pop." I usually just smile and nod. It turns out that I had heard the expression before, but it just wasn't coming to me at the time. In fact, it was used in the movie "Smokey and the Bandit."

Debby's fatal question, though, is one to which I have not found anyone who knew it. I had heard it, and would have gotten it right, but it is definitely obscure.

WS: How did they accomadate you in New York?

MS: Millionaire does everything top-notch. I was picked up by a driver at the airport. The show paid for our flight to New York and our hotel room at the Empire Hotel (they've since switched to the Lucerne). The hotel room was somewhat small, but it was still nice. The day of the taping, we were sequestered at the studio from about 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. The show's staff was great, and my assigned Associate Producer, Melissa, was terrific. The next day, there was another car to take us back to the airport. Thankfully, the driver was about 45 minutes early. I say that because we would up spending more than an hour in line at LaGuardia waiting to check-in.

WS: What have you done (or planning to do) with your $250,000?

MS: I have already spent the vast majority of my winnings. I tithed $25,000 to my church. My wife and I bought a used Mini-van, which comes in handy for hauling around our two kids. I bought a couple of saxophones off eBay, a new iMac, a big television and DVD player with an entertainment center in which to put them, and a Glider-Rocker for my wife. My wife bought me a set of books I've wanted for a long time. I also gave my friend, Rod, who served as my Phone-a-Friend a nice cash gift.

Mainly, though, we paid off all our consumer debt, and there was a lot of it.

I also set back $100,000 in a Certificate of Deposit to cover the taxes when they come due in April 2002. Many people assume that the show deducts the taxes from your check, but they don't. Actually, this is a good thing, because I'm collecting interest on that money, so when I cash out the CD next March, I'll have a pretty nice influx of cash again.

WS: What are your opinions on Regis?

MS: Regis seemed very nice to me and to the other contestants who got into the Hot Seat on my show. I've heard stories about his being somewhat snide about some contestants who may have crashed, but that wasn't my experience. When we had to re-tape one of my questions, before the computer was set with it, Regis joked around with me by calling me a "Chicken" because I walked away. Some people might not have taken that very well, but it was obvious to me that he was only kidding.

Mainly, he's a consummate professional. Despite his legendary difficulties pronouncing things, he always hits his mark, and his timing is impeccable.

WS: You have to keep quiet about what happened on the show before it airs - how difficult did you find that to be?

MS: Actually, I didn't have that much trouble. Most people assume that contestants sign some sort of Non-Disclosure agreement. That's not true, but I let them continue in their erroneous belief because it took the pressure off me. By the time my show aired, the only people who knew the outcome were those in the audience at my taping, my 5 Phone-a-Friends (which included my brother whose wife was in the audience), my parents, and my sister.

WS: With Millionaire going to 2 nights a week this fall, going into sydication next fall, and the constant stream of repeats we have been seeing for the past 3 months, how long do you think it will be around?

MS: The constant stream of repeats has made it difficult for regular fans to keep up with when new shows are being aired. I didn't watch any repeats this summer.

Personally, I think they are hurting the primetime show's longevity with the repeats and the constant Celebrity Editions. I may be wrong, but I think most people like seeing "real" people play the game. Only having one "real" person show per week in the fall is a mistake, in my opinion.

If the syndicated version gets a good host, and I sincerely hope it isn't Rosie O'Donnell, it could have a long run. Perhaps not as long as Jeopardy!, but respectable. Of course, one of my hopes is that former Hot Seaters will be eligible for the syndicated version.

WS: How has this affected your life since you were on?

MS: Mainly, it has eliminated a severe financial situation that my wife and I were in. Thanks to this, my stress level is down.

Also, I have been able to walk away from the legal profession. I have obtained a Real Estate Salesperson's License, and I'm working with the local Century21 office selling real estate. I enjoy the work much more than I ever enjoyed being an attorney.

I still get asked about being on the show on occasion, but for the most part, life has returned to normal in my small hometown.

WS: Do you have any tips to offer for potential WWTBAM contestants?

PRACTICE the Fastest Finger. This is definitely the most nerve-wracking part of the game. Practice along with questions while you are at home. If you ever get to the show, get as comfortable with the Fastest Finger console as possible.

Persevere. At times, it can get discouraging. I qualified under what is called the "Old Phone Game." That was back when there were two phone rounds. I had successfully completed the first round approximately 135 times before I got that fateful callback. There were times I thought it might never happen for me, but I never gave up. Play the phone game every time they open it up. Go to any audition within a reasonable distance. Never Give Up!!

WS: Finally Marty, Thank You for you time with us, and Good Luck to you.

MS: Thank you for allowing this opportunity as well. It's interesting to step back and assess things after the passage of some time.