James Dinan

James Dinan
From	Arlington, VA
Appearance	April 5, 2001 May 21, 2001 ($0 winners edition)
Money won	$0 (Original run), $64,000 ($0 winners edition)

James Dinan, a journalist from Arlington, Virginia, was a contestant on the U.S. version of the show on April 5, 2001 after answering his $500 question wrong and went home with nothing. At the time of his appearance, the top prize was at $2,160,000.

He'd return for a special zero dollar winners edition on May 21, 2001 and walked away with $64,000.

First WWTBAM Run

Fastest Finger Question

Fastest Finger Question
Put the following leaders in the order of their birth, starting with the most recent.
⬥ A: Genghis Khan	⬥ B: Crazy Horse
⬥ C: Napoleon Bonaparte	⬥ D: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Seven out of nine contestants answered D-B-C-A correctly, but James's time of 3.54 seconds was quickest, getting him into the hot seat.

James's Run to $2,160,000

$100 (1 of 15) - Not Timed
When a tree is cut down, the part that remains in the ground is called what?
⬥ A: Rump	⬥ B: Hump
⬥ C: Stump	⬥ D: Leftovers

$200 (2 of 15) - Not Timed
It is commonly said of an older person, "He's no spring" what?
⬥ A: Dance	⬥ B: Chicken
⬥ C: Blossom	⬥ D: Roll

$300 (3 of 15) - Not Timed
What would a person most likely use a settee for? 'Ask the Audience' lifeline used
⬥ A: Mowing the lawn	⬥ B: Sitting
⬥ C: Mixing batter	⬥ D: Paperweight
Ask the Audience Results: A: 2% ⬥ B: 82% ⬥ C: 7% ⬥ D: 9%

$500 (4 of 15) - Not Timed
What is the name for the plastic strips inserted into shirt collars to help them keep their shape? '50:50' lifeline used
⬥ A: Plackets	⬥ B: Yokes
⬥ C: Shanks	⬥ D: Stays

James isn't sure on this one either so he uses the 50:50, which eliminates A & C. That settles it. He'll go with B. Oops. It was D. James goes home with nothing. Total Prize Money: $0

Second WWTBAM Run

Fastest Finger Question

Fastest Finger Question
Put these singers in order by the year of their birth, starting with the most recent.
⬥ A: Lenny Kravitz	⬥ B: Mick Jagger
⬥ C: Fiona Apple	⬥ D: Stevie Wonder

Of the 5 contestants who answered C-A-D-B correctly, James's time of 3.57 seconds was the fastest.

James's Second Run to the Million

$100 (1 of 15) - Not Timed
Before color television, programs were broadcast to the public in what two colors?
⬥ A: Green and red	⬥ B: Black and white
⬥ C: Yellow and tan	⬥ D: Sonny and Cher

$200 (2 of 15) - Not Timed
In football, to "fumble" the ball means to do what?
⬥ A: Drop it	⬥ B: Throw it
⬥ C: Kick it	⬥ D: Make it feel at home

$300 (3 of 15) - Not Timed
What shape is a standard Monopoly game board?
⬥ A: Triangle	⬥ B: Star
⬥ C: Square	⬥ D: Flabby

$500 (4 of 15) - Not Timed
A person endorses a check by doing what to it?
⬥ A: Signing on the back	⬥ B: Destroying
⬥ C: Copying	⬥ D: Punching a hole in it

$1,000 (5 of 15) - Not Timed
Which of these continents does not touch the Pacific Ocean?
⬥ A: North America	⬥ B: Australia
⬥ C: South America	⬥ D: Europe

$2,000 (6 of 15) - Not Timed
In what decorative art would paper cutouts be pasted onto something, then coated with varnish? 'Ask the Audience' lifeline used
⬥ A: Trapunto	⬥ B: Decoupage
⬥ C: Enameling	⬥ D: Crochet
Ask the Audience Results: A: 2% ⬥ B: 81% ⬥ C: 12% ⬥ D: 5%

James isn't sure, so he asks the audience.

$4,000 (7 of 15) - Not Timed
The 2001 movie "The Mummy Returns," features what professional wrestler?
⬥ A: Goldberg	⬥ B: The Rock
⬥ C: The Undertaker	⬥ D: Triple H

$8,000 (8 of 15) - Not Timed
Typically, what kind of wire is used to connect a cable box to a TV? '50:50' lifeline used
⬥ A: Serial	⬥ B: Firewire
⬥ C: USB	⬥ D: Coaxial

James thinks it over and decides to use the 50:50, which eliminates B & C. He goes with his gut, D, and wins $8,000.

$16,000 (9 of 15) - Not Timed
What is rocker Elvis Costello's signature fashion accessory?
⬥ A: Cowboy hat	⬥ B: Silver belt buckle
⬥ C: Black-rimmed eyeglasses	⬥ D: Alligator boots

$32,000 (10 of 15) - Not Timed
House Speaker Dennis Hastert is a U.S. representative from what state?
⬥ A: Minnesota	⬥ B: Florida
⬥ C: Wisconsin	⬥ D: Illinois

$64,000 (11 of 15) - Not Timed
Due to efforts by London's mayor, what is no longer sold at stands in Trafalgar Square?
⬥ A: Union Jack clothing	⬥ B: Cigarettes
⬥ C: Pigeon feed	⬥ D: Buckingham Palace maps

James thinks he remembers reading a story about how the Mayor of London got tired of all the pigeons hanging around Trafalgar Square, so he makes C his final answer and wins $64,000.

$125,000 (12 of 15) - Not Timed
"Sternutation" is a term for what? 'Phone-a-Friend' lifeline used
⬥ A: Sneezing	⬥ B: Yawning
⬥ C: Blinking	⬥ D: Coughing

James doesn't know, so he calls his friend Samir, who doesn't give an answer in 30 seconds. He's not risking half his money, so he walks away with $64,000. The correct answer was A: Sneezing. Total Prize Money: $64,000

Gallery

James on $0 Winners Week

References

Preceded by Terry Sheldon	U.S. Contestant (Season 1) James Dinan	Succeeded by Kevin Baggett
Preceded by Martin Poteralski	U.S. Contestant (Season 1) Zero Dollar Winners Edition James Dinan	Succeeded by Steve Fayne