George Qirdahi, the Lebanese presenter of the famous Arabic quiz show Man Sayarbah Al Malyon (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), is one of the Arab World’s premiere TV stars.
The program is a version of Britain’s internationally renowned quiz show, which has so far been produced in more than 20 languages around the world.
Although the show’s simple question/answer formula has become a hit around the globe, Qirdahi managed to transform the program into an event, rallying the highest number of viewers in Arab TV history, according to Thisiscyberia.com.
How did he do it? The man certainly has a way with people.
Qirdahi teases the contestants, tricks them and confuses them, until both contestants and viewers are tantalized and tormented at the same time. With his scrutinizing eyes, he announces victories and declares defeats, all the while making sure that everyone is having a great time.
The formula has proved successful and, as a result, Qirdahi has become a sensation. However, he never anticipated the wide-reaching fame he enjoys today.
As a young man, Qirdahi studied journalism at university and for some time, worked as a news editor and announcer at Tele-Liban.
When the civil war broke out, he traveled to Paris and worked for Radio Monte Carlo for more than 12 years. He then moved to Radio Orient before becoming a media consultant for the Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) in London.
The show has nevertheless attracted some controversy, including a fatwa banning it and similar shows by the mufti of Egypt’s powerful Al Azhar Islamic institute – Albawaba.com
