[quote name=\'bandit_bobby\' post=\'178285\' date=\'Feb 20 2008, 12:05 AM\']
No, I believe the champ at that time would leave with another $2,000 while the others get $1,000 each.
[/quote]
(scratches head)
Are you serious? And no, I'm not asking a rhetorical question. With your logic, you now create a completely unfair (dis)advantage, thus creating equally bad television. Might as well spot the returning champ an extra $1,000 consolation regardless, just because they're the champ.
Dave's explanation makes more sense (naturally). IIRC, the two zero-outs both happened before the switch to cash-as-consolation (I know one happened on the second or third episode), but did Alex ever explain the consolation setup for either? I only remember seeing the second scenario, but don't remember an explanation.