$25 Million Dollar Hoax

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}

{{Infobox television

| image =

| caption =

| runtime = 60 minutes

| creator =

| starring = Chrissy Sanford

| country = United States

| network = NBC{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Warren |title=$25 Million Dollar Hoax |url=https://www.wthr.com/article/25-million-dollar-hoax |website=WTHR |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=November 8, 2004}}

| company = {{Plainlist|

}}

| first_aired = {{Start date|2004|11|08}}

| last_aired = {{End date|2004|11|22}}

| num_episodes = 3

| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|

  • Ben Silverman
  • Scott Hallock
  • Kevin Healey
  • Stuart Krasnow

}}

}}

$25 Million Dollar Hoax is an unscripted television series that was originally shown on American network NBC in November 2004.

The series is noted to be similar in style to FOX's My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance, which aired in 2004.{{cite news |title=NBC to air a 'Fiance'-like '$25 Million Dollar Hoax' series beginning November 8 |url=https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/nbc-air-fiance-like-25-million-dollar-hoax-series-beginning-november-8--2988.php |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=Reality TV World |date=October 18, 2004}} It is based on a United Kingdom show titled The Million Pound Hoax, broadcast on Sky One earlier that year.{{cite news |title=Latest reality TV stunt stars lottery hoaxer |url=https://www.breakingnews.ie/showbiz/latest-reality-tv-stunt-stars-lottery-hoaxer-144245.html |access-date=November 26, 2019 |work=BreakingNews.ie |date=April 24, 2004}}

Synopsis

In the series, daughter Chrissy Sanford plays a hoax on her family by convincing them she had won a $25,000,000 lottery prize through the internet, and that it had changed her from a sweet girl into a spend-a-holic.{{cite web |title=The $25 Million Dollar Hoax |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/the-25-million-dollar-hoax-20050525-gdldx1.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=May 25, 2005}}

$25 Million Dollar Hoax contained guest appearances by Ed McMahon, George Gray, and N*SYNC's Lance Bass.

Chrissy successfully pulled off the hoax, which won her and her family over $400,000 in cash and prizes.

Cast

  • Chrissy Sanford – As herself
  • Guy Sanford (father) – As himself
  • Lois Sanford (mother) – As herself
  • Paul Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • Eric Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • Andrew Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • David Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • Phillip Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • Matthew Sanford (brother) – As himself
  • Jameson Karns (friend) – As himself
  • Ed McMahon – As himself
  • George Gray – As himself
  • Lance Bass – As himself

Overseas broadcasts

  • {{CAN}}: Global{{cite web |title=Global premieres $25 Million Dollar Hoax reality show |url=http://mediaincanada.com/2004/10/28/hoax-20041028/ |website=Media In Canada |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=October 28, 2004}}
  • {{UK}}: Challenge{{cite web |title=Advert for its run on Challenge TV. |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir3thzE8Jg0&t=9s |website=YouTube |access-date=January 16, 2024 |date=February 13, 2006}}

References

{{reflist}}