Monday, Nov. 15, 1999

One Hour in Bangkok...

By Melissa August, Harriet Barovick, Val Castronovo, Tam Gray, Desa Philadephia, Julie Rawe, Hope Reeves and Chris Taylor

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? originated in Britain. Now that it's a big enough hit to spawn clones like Fox's Greed, will other networks import game shows? Notebook took a spin around the world to see what gems are left (and who should pick them up).

1 FORT BOYARD, FRANCE. Groups are shipped off to a fort in the Atlantic where they have to overcome several challenges while being harassed by semi-supernatural figures in latex costumes. (MTV)

2 LACHAPOR KHUN RU CHAI (HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW THIS PERSON?), Thailand. Three sad, dangerous or embarrassing episodes of a celebrity guest's life are recounted. The star's friends have to guess which one the guest regrets most. (E!)

3 GRAND PRIX, SPAIN. Two villages, led by their mayor and a star, compete, in costume, in games such as retrieving a fake nugget from an obstacle course without being tossed by a young bull. (Discovery)

4 WETTEN DASS? (BET THAT?), Germany. The audience makes spectacular bets, and celebrity guests wager whether the contestants can win the bets. After losing a wager, Hugh Grant had leg hairs pulled out with sticky tape. (CNN)

5 DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, Britain. People are given challenges, such as rappelling down a building or eating a live maggot. If the presenter can't persuade someone else to do it, he does it himself. (ESPN)

6 STRIP, Germany. While strippers perform, male and female teams answer questions, some with picture clues, about sex. The team that loses strips. (Fox)