Gabe Okoye and Brittany Mayti just received an early Christmas present.
The couple, who lost $800,000 for answering a question incorrectly on Post-it Notes during Monday's premiere of Fox's "Million Dollar Money Drop", have been asked to return to the quiz after the show admitted a mistake in the question.
Okoye and Mayti were asked whether the Macintosh computer, Sony Walkman or Post-it Notes were sold in stores first. The couple bet $800,000 on Post-its and $80,000 on the Walkman. The show said that the Walkman was correct, as it debuted in 1979, while Post-its first appeared on store shelves in 1980 (the Macintosh debuted in 1984).
After the broadcast aired, several outlets, including this one, referenced several articles noting that Post-it Notes were test-marketed in four cities in 1977 under another name. The product's inventor, Art Fry, told the Financial Times earlier this month that the product was "launched in four cities" in 1977, but that "the results were disappointing."
"Money Drop" executive producer Jeff Apploff released the following statement to CNN:
"Unfortunately, the information our research department originally obtained from 3M regarding when Post-it Notes were first sold was incomplete. As a result of new information we have received from 3M, we feel it is only fair to give our contestants, Gabe and Brittany, another shot to play 'Million Dollar Money Drop' even though this question was not the deciding question in their game. The revised information regarding the Post-it is as follows: the product was originally tested for sale in four cities under the name 'Press 'N Peel' in 1977, sold as 'Post-its' in 1979 when the rollout introduction began and sold nationwide in 1980. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the viewers who brought this to our attention, and we're thrilled to give Gabe and Brittany the opportunity to return to play the game."
Okoye and Mayti have not decided whether they will accept the show's offer. "Money Drop" returns with new episodes January 4.