[quote name=\'fostergray82\' post=\'246129\' date=\'Aug 19 2010, 01:35 PM\']Another example, HSq/H^2 in 2002, had their contestants stand, and it caused an uproar at ATGS. Yet, the show turned out just fine on air.[/quote]
If "just fine" means it didn't shatter the glass on your TV, yeah. But it looked pretty goofy to make the contestants stand while the host and panelists all got to sit down. It also strikes me that if your elegantly simple show has as one of its signature elements a "hot seat," you might want to keep it.
On "Wheel," they need to spin the thing, so there's a reason to stand up. On "The New Price Is Right," there was movement across the stage, so there's a reason. On "Jeopardy!" they have something to stand behind.
Maybe they will on "Millionaire," too, but if they're just going to stand on the middle of the stage, I think it's poorer TV. We don't stand around at home. You invite someone in to sit down. (Unless, say, they're going to help cook.) In Minneapolis, one station recently restaged their 6:00 news so the anchors stand there with papers in their hands. The desk they sit behind at 10:00 is in the shot. They're about five feet from it. Looks positively stupid.