Imagine if there was a lifeline called “Ask a Billboard Charts Department Member” available during challenging moments on game shows. This would provide invaluable insight into music trivia, particularly for contestants grappling with difficult questions.
During the exciting season premiere of ABC’s Who Wants To Be a Millionaire on Wednesday, July 23, contestants Drew Carey and Aisha Tyler were making great progress. They were riding high on their success until they encountered a tricky question about the Billboard Hot 100, which posed a significant challenge for the duo.
Both stars, well-known for their previous roles as hosts on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, had already secured $16,000 for their selected charities — the La Maida Project and the International Rescue Committee. However, they faced a pivotal question posed by host Jimmy Kimmel: “With a whopping 11, which of these singers has more #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 than the other three combined?”
The options they had to choose from were: “A: Whitney Houston / B: Celine Dion / C: Tina Turner / D: Britney Spears.” Each of these legendary artists has left an indelible mark on the music industry, making the decision even more challenging for the contestants.
Initially, Carey and Tyler considered their options carefully. Carey expressed his inclination, stating, “I think it’s A or B,” while Tyler countered with her belief that it might be “A or D.” As they deliberated further, their thoughts shifted towards Britney Spears, partly influenced by the fact that Houston passed away in 2012, which could impact their recollections of her chart-topping history.
To ensure they made an informed choice, the pair decided to consult the audience. The audience response indicated a majority preference for Spears at 60%, while Houston received 38%, with Dion and Turner trailing far behind at 2% and 0%, respectively. This crowd-sourced insight undoubtedly influenced their decision-making process.
Ultimately, the duo placed their trust in the audience’s judgment, and Tyler confidently stated, “Britney Spears, final answer.” They were optimistic about their choice, believing they had made the right call based on the audience’s overwhelming support.
However, the correct answer soon appeared on the screen in green, revealing that the answer was, in fact, Whitney Houston. This revelation was a surprising twist that left the contestants momentarily stunned.
In a lighthearted manner, Kimmel consoled Carey and Tyler by humorously noting, “The answer rhymed with ‘itney’,” attempting to ease the disappointment of their incorrect guess.
Unfortunately, the pair realized they needed to be more familiar with the Billboard charts to ace that particular question. They learned that Houston had an impressive total of 11 career Hot 100 No. 1 hits, while Spears had achieved five, Dion four, and Turner just one.
Houston’s remarkable 11 chart-toppers, which she amassed between 1985 and 1995, include iconic tracks such as “Saving All My Love for You,” “How Will I Know,” “Greatest Love of All,” “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me),” “Didn’t We Almost Have It All,” “So Emotional,” “Where Do Broken Hearts Go,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” “All the Man That I Need,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).”
In contrast, Spears achieved her No. 1 hits on the Hot 100 with memorable songs such as “…Baby One More Time,” “Womanizer,” “3,” “S&M” (featuring Rihanna), and “Hold It Against Me,” all between 1999 and 2011, showcasing her impact on pop music.
Remarkably, Houston ranks as the artist with the ninth-most No. 1 hits in the 67-year history of the Hot 100 chart. The chart’s all-time leaders include The Beatles with 20, followed closely by Mariah Carey with 19, and Rihanna with 14. Other notable artists such as Drake, Michael Jackson (each with 13), Madonna, The Supremes, and Taylor Swift (each with 12) have also made significant contributions to the chart’s legacy.
Despite their unfortunate elimination from the game, Carey and Tyler’s evening concluded on a positive note. They were able to secure $32,000 for their respective charities, a significant achievement that underscored the philanthropic aspect of their participation.
Additionally, the next contestants on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire had their own moment of triumph, successfully answering a Hot 100 question. Jeopardy host Ken Jennings and Kimmel’s friend and frequent collaborator Matt Damon correctly identified that the shortest hit ever on the chart, Jack Black’s “Steve’s Lava Chicken,” hails from A Minecraft Movie, showcasing their knowledge of music trivia.
Kimmel humorously remarked about the brief nature of the 34-second-long hit, saying, “We hear that a lot in my house,” highlighting its catchy yet concise appeal that resonates with audiences.
