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Law Student Ryan Dickson to Appear on "Millionaire" April 9
George Mason third-year law student Ryan
Dickson will be a contestant on the
television program "Millionaire" on Thursday, April 9, 2009. Dickson, 31, is from Laurel, Maryland.
Dickson's sister Shireen was a contestant on "Millionaire" in March, appearing in episodes that aired March 2 and 3, 2009. She walked away with $25,000 in winnings after incorrectly guessing the answer to the $50,000 question. Dickson came to her taping and sat in the audience as her on-air companion for the show. Afterwards, he auditioned to be a contestant on the show and wound up appearing in an episode just a few weeks later. Shireen returned the favor by being Dickson's on-air companion for his show. Dickson's girlfriend Tessa also came to the taping.
"Millionaire" contestants are allowed to have three people on stand by as potential "Phone A Friends." Dickson chose fellow Mason law student and friend Alex Morris; his professor and friend Michael Kelly, professor of law from Arlington, VA; and his mentor and friend Sylvia Trujillo, a Legislative Council for the American Medical Association from Washington, D.C.
New for this season, the "Ask The Expert" lifeline enables contestants to connect with a pre-determined "Expert" via a live face-to-face Skype video call on any question past the $1,000 level. Jonathan Ringen, Assistant Managing Editor for Rolling Stone Magazine will be the expert for episodes airing April 9 and 10
Dickson's plan for any big winnings from his appearance on the show will resonate with most law students: He plans to pay off his student loans. Also on his mind is a new car, since his current car will not go in reverse. For the past 18 months, he's had to search for parking that allows him to go forward, even when it has meant parking far away.
Hosted by Meredith Vieira, "Millionaire" can be seen locally in the Washington, D.C., area on WJLA (ABC), weekdays at 12:30 PM.
Dickson on stage with "Millionaire" hostess Meredith Vieira
Photos courtesy of Valleycrest Productions Ltd.