QUICK TAKE

ONLY TWO EXCITING EPISODES REMAIN UNTIL BILLIONAIRE MARK CUBAN GIVES AWAY THE MILLION DOLLAR PRIZE - WITH AN UNEXPECTED TWIST - ON ABC'S "THE BENEFACTOR," OCTOBER 18 & 25

Who Will Pass His Test for Success?

How far are you willing to go for one million dollars? This was the question posed to 16 finalists as billionaire businessman and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban got ready to give away one million bucks to a complete stranger.

With only five contestants remaining, Cuban is two heart-pounding episodes away from awarding the prize. He will continue putting the contestants through a series of tests, based on his life experiences, to determine who has what it takes to be successful. All the tests were designed to show the values and characteristics that Cuban feels are important - creativity, competitiveness and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Editors please note: Although originally scheduled to air for eight episodes, "The Benefactor" will conclude with six, due to the recent pre-emption on Monday, October 11 for "Christopher Reeve: A Tribute to Courage" - which was a special edition of "20/20" -- and upcoming election coverage.

In the episode airing MONDAY, OCTOBER 18 ("No. 105," 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), Cuban will send one of the five remaining contestants packing within the first 10 minutes of the show. Meanwhile, he challenges the remaining contestants to give back to the community by allotting each team 48 hours to perform random acts of kindness for the people of Dallas. But that kindness quickly turns to cruelty as the contestants evaluate one another. And those who can't find it in their hearts to complete these tasks to Mark's satisfaction will be cut and lose their chance to win a million dollars.

In the exciting season finale ("No. 106"), airing MONDAY, OCTOBER 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), Cuban pays a visit to the remaining contestants' hometowns to meet with their friends and family. But what he learns about some of the players proves shocking, and he will cut the contestants down to the final two. Cuban will then give the remaining two contestants 60 seconds to explain why he should pick them to win the million dollars, and his choice will have a surprising twist.

"Episode No. 105" carries a TV-PG,L parental guideline. A guideline for "No. 106" will be assigned closer to airdate.

"The Benefactor" was created by and is executive-produced by David Young for 12 Yard Productions. Clay Newbill (executive producer, "The Mole," "Celebrity Mole" and "The Bachelorette") of Dog-Fight Industries, and Todd Wagner, CEO of 2929 Productions, are also executive producers. (CLOSED CAPTIONED)