Here is an idea. The show would be slightly similar to “Who wants to be a Millionaire”. You know how it works. A contestant must answer 15 questions, but with each stage passed, questions become more and more difficult. And each level also increases the money prize, stating with hundred dollars and ending with million.
So here is how this could work. Instead of asking questions, the contestant would have to endure several various tickle challenges. It would start with something quite easy, like being gently tickled by the feather for one minute, on feet, armpits, belly etc. But every stage is increasingly more difficult, like having more ticklers, using fingers or other tools, restraining the contestant or the challenge lasting longer. Passing each stage would grant you more money. All challenges, especially on higher levels, could also be slightly “personalized” for each person, depending on where they are most ticklish, so the final ones include tickling their worst spots. They could also be randomized, so no one knows what to expect in next round, but still maintaining the rising difficulty aspect.
Now, if the contestant endures the round, they can proceed to the next stage. Before it is revealed what will be the next challenge, the contestant could either decide to continue or withdraw with all the money they accumulated so far.
At any point the contestant would be able to stop the tickling, but this will result in them failing the challenge and losing all the money accumulated so far. Unless you reached a safety net, just like in "Who wants to be a Millionaire", in which case you leave with some guaranteed money, like 1 000 $.
And lastly, the show could use modified three Lifelines. Each of them could be used only once in a game.
Pause – at any point during the challenge the contestant might shout “Pause”, which stops the tickling for 30 second.
Change – if you don’t like a specific challenge, you can ask for it to be changed. But this could be risky, because the new one is chosen randomly, and you could end up with something easier or more difficult.
Tickle a Friend – you could bring one companion (a friend, family member, partner etc.) to the studio and at some point decide that in the next challenge they will be tickled instead of you.
And one important note: None of those lifelines could be used in the final three challenges of the show!
