By Tim Binnall
A Flat Earth enthusiast in Australia sparked headlines following an ill-fated appearance on a nationally televised game show in which she lost on the first question. Ashleigh Koutsoukos was a contestant on the program Millionaire Hot Seat, which is the Australian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, this past Wednesday evening. As is custom for such shows, she chatted with the host before beginning the game and, understandably, their conversation centered around her shirt which boldly declared that 'The Earth is Flat.'
Asked about by host Eddie McGuire to explain the Flat Earth theory to him, Koutsoukos answered that "well, it's not really a theory when it's true." Nonetheless, when pressed to prove the unorthodox idea, the Flat Earther countered that she needed the host's proof that the planet is round first. When the good-natured McGuire responded by wondering what is at the edge of the Flat Earth, Koutsoukos claimed that it is a mystery because people are not allowed to explore Antarctica due to international treaties.
The amusing exchange continued with Koutsoukos dismissing space travel as the "best joke I've ever heard." She went on to explain that "I live on top of the mountains and I can see the city and no curvature whatsoever." The impromptu debate came to an end when McGuire observed that he had seen the curvature on a recent plane trip and Koutsoukos responded with withering sarcasm "wow, that's great."
Unfortunately for Koutsoukos, the host wound up getting the last laugh once the actual game began as the Flat Earther gave the wrong answer on her very first question and, as such, saw her chance to become a millionaire quickly come to an end. While one might think that the misadventure would leave the Flat Earther second-guessing her belief in the shape of the Earth, it's more likely that she is simply happy to have had the chance to spread the word about the controversial conspiracy theory to a national audience.