This is what it's really like to win $1 million on a game show

The strangeness of Campagnone’s win was compounded by the fact that her prize-winning episode was just the first of several taped that day — a time-and-cost-saving tactic commonly employed by game shows. For home audiences, who see each episode on a different day, the accelerated production schedule is supposed to be invisible. Between games, the host changes his tie, returning contestants change their shirts, and everyone plays along with the illusion that 24 hours have passed instead of 15 minutes.

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For Campagnone, that meant returning to the audience after winning $1 million and acting like nothing had happened. “I talked a little bit, composed myself, and went back out to the audience,” she explained, watching from the crowd as two more episodes were taped…

Campagnone spoke with an accountant and a financial advisor as she wrapped her head around her prize. Of course, $1 million is just the starting point; after taxes, the number shrinks considerably. “You really have to start with the fact that you really get half of [the money],” she said. “It’s not like one of the jackpots — a MegaMillions, or even a Powerball, where people win $350 million.” Obviously, $1 million is a ton of dough, even after taxes, but it’s also not “quit your job and move to the Bahamas” money. As such, Campagnone doesn’t have any particularly extravagant plans for her future.

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