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"Deal or No Deal" (2005)

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34 out of 40 people found the following comment useful :-
Surprisingly Exciting "Deal"!, 22 December 2005
Author: truegenius-1 from Houston

"Deal or No Deal", from Endemol, the folks that gave you "Fear Factor" and "Extreme Makeover", brought this international import to the States for a five-night run on NBC originally back in December 2005. Hosted by Howie Mandel, the show is like a cross between "Let's Make a Deal" and "Russian Roulette", and here's how it works: A contestant out of the audience chooses one numbered briefcase out of 26 for their game. The cases have cash values ranging from one cent all the way up to $1 million (and there are several six-figure prizes starting at $100,000). All the values are posted on a large, projection-screen TV monitor in the studio. The contestant then begins a process of elimination, calling out the numbers of six briefcases. As each number is called, a lovely model opens the numbered case to reveal the cash amount inside (Mandel: "Nikki, open the case."). The cash amount is then removed from the list of cash values on the projection monitor.

Following this, a "banker", seated in a surveillance room above the studio floor, phones the host with an "offer" - a dollar amount he is willing to make for the briefcase the contestant chose at the start of the game. Essentially, the offer is an average of all the cash amounts on the monitor that haven't been yet eliminated - the more low amounts that are eliminated, the higher the offer. The host informs the contestant of the offer - which is posted in large numerals on the projection monitor - and then, after a bit of mathematical banter, the host pops the all-important question to the contestant: "Deal or No Deal?" If the contestant accepts the Deal, he/she wins the value of the offer and the game ends. If not, the contest must open five more briefcases before the next offer is made. If the contestant passes on the Deal at that point, then he/she must open four more cases, then three more, then two more, until in the later points in the game, there is an offer issued after one briefcase is selected.

The tension increases with every round of selections because in many cases, a contestant chooses a case with a large dollar amount, eliminating the possibility of winning that prize. Also adding to the drama - the contestant has three to four other guests (loved ones or friends) on the show to help him/her decide whether or not to take a Deal, usually introduced after the second round of briefcase selections. So there is an emotional aspect to "Deal" as well, one the large studio audience gets pumped up for.

Once the contestant has accepted a Deal, the host has the contestant theoretically play out the rest of the briefcase selections ("Let's see what you would have done...") and then reveals the contents of the briefcase that the contestant chose at the start of the game.

Overall, "Deal or No Deal" offers the best odds for winning $1 million on national TV - 1 in 26. But as host Howie Mandel states at the beginning of each show, the game is a combination of "luck, guts, and a great sense of timing." Part of Mandel's opening spiel: "One million dollars as the top prize. No crazy stunts to perform, no trivia questions to answer. In fact, there's only one question you need to know how to answer, the only question that counts. Deal or No Deal?" At the time of this writing, "Deal or No Deal" was introduced by NBC as a "stripped" broadcast (same time for five consecutive weeknights), airing between 8pm and 9pm Eastern Time. The show's initial ratings for the first two nights were great news for NBC; they handily won their Monday and Tuesday time slots.

Part of the entertainment value of "Deal or No Deal" is watching the contestants agonize over whether to accept a Deal or press their luck; a knowledge (or appreciation) of probability helps a lot, and screen graphics are occasionally shown to help viewers do the numbers (Example: "Kyle has a 25% chance his case contains at least $300,000"). The exchanges between the contestants and their guests are often very funny. Host Howie Mandel, better known for his goofball stand-up comedy and appearances on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno", is an affable host, not overpowering the show. He has "a great sense of timing" himself, and sets up cliffhangers before each commercial (sending the audience into frustrated groans of anticipation).

And for anyone that doesn't believe there's a play-along element to the show, you get caught up in the moment, screaming at the TV, "Take the deal, you bonehead!" Most NBC affiliates also participated in the "Lucky Case" home game, in which viewers could win $10,000 based on their selection of one of the 26 cases.

Considering "Deal or No Deal" requires no intellectual knowledge (other than, perhaps, a little statistical analysis) nor mastery of a game (such as "Wheel of Fortune" or GSN's "Lingo") it is a surprisingly entertaining show. At the time of this writing, over 30 other countries had their own versions of the show.

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13 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Intellectually challenged???, 1 March 2006
Author: smenapache from Bel Air, MD

Since when does a show have to be "intellectually Challenging"? Wheel of Fortune has lasted for decades with practically NO intellect required. (Other then knowing the English Language) The reason this "game" is so good is because it IS Brilliantly simple. They could've just called it "Greed" because that's all it's about.. that and knowing how to play the odds. In the tradition of "Let's make a Deal" where contestants keep their prizes or chose between trading for what's behind curtain 1, 2 or 3; there hasn't been a similar game on television since.

You have to Praise "originality" on television these days no matter how simple. Look at how many Networks copy the success of an Original show.. there was American Idol, so other networks tried to bring back Star Search to compete, and then Nashville Star.. both of which never came close. Survivor becomes a hit, so they try Fear Factor, The Cage, and endless others. "Tough Man" makes a mark as a Boxing competition, so they throw out the Contender and another Boxing reality show. Lost becomes a hit, so networks try and compete or Capitalize with Surface, Invasion and Threshold ... Law and Order and CSI are hits, so they make two more Spinoffs of each that saturate the Original.

These days, if a show isn't competing with a similar show it should be PRAISED. Surprisingly enough, "Deal or No Deal" actually has that "addictive" entertaining quality to it. No matter how simple it is. It's only downside in programming is that it's competing for airtime against "American Idol" which has been dominating 3 nights in a row in it's new season... blame those responsible for scheduling.

I can see this show returning many more times. And as for the "Banker", He'll probably be revealed one of these days. Maybe It'll be Regis. Simple it may be, but with all the copy-cat programming, at least it's refreshingly "Different".

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13 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-
character analysis at it's most interesting level, 7 April 2006
Author: babblingbooks from Victoria, B.C.Canada

Well, I, for one, find this show to be very interesting and entertaining. Walk away when the commercials come on and come back three or four minutes later and you will eliminate most of the irritation. Howie Mandel does a really good-natured hosting bit that should be a lesson to those that take themselves too seriously.

The girls are great and are having a lot of fun. This show will develop into a truly entertaining habit for the American viewing audience.

I found myself muttering at the ridiculous offers of the mysterious banker (the cheap creep ... get real!) I wanted some of the macho type, posturing contestants to refuse an offer and have to settle for a lot less. (goody goody) .. The whole gamut of human emotions that is strung out here is quite consuming... I look forward to the next show to see what sort of contestant we have and how they will handle it.

I should like so much to slap some of the contestants silly. Greed is either funny or pathetic and sometimes both at once. Tune in and feel very superior to these poor creatures and find yourself pulling for some of them and despising others. All the facets of watching a wrestling match without having to ignore the phoniness. These people really do want that money.

I am trying to tell you why you are going to get hooked. A very nice package and I say, "Yay, Howie, keep it on the fun level that it is now. Watch it. Enjoy it. Don't let anyone tell you it is not worth while until you have tried it yourself. Any night it is NOT on, I am very disappointed.

OLD DAD

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12 out of 19 people found the following comment useful :-
Just about enough, 6 April 2007

Author: caa821 from Tulsa OK

Please, spare me!! This program was watchable at its beginning, and Howie Mandell is a likable presence. And even now, he does the best possible, given his "script," and the guests which the producers have chosen.

I must admit, though, I still watch it some, with the sound muted about 90% of the time or more. Almost without exception the contestants act like yowling hyenas or screeching magpies, and their actions are a good approximation as well.

If there are those who feel as I do, then suicide watches should be established for the inevitable moment when Howie says "...change your life" one too many times.

The game is a simplistic lottery, with no way the contestants, who usually avow they have chosen a case with big bucks, could possibly have any intelligent reason for so believing. And then the Stepford models wish them luck, and purport sometimes to act if revealing a huge amount is somehow their fault. All they do is walk-on and stand like attractive cyborgs, holding an object with a figure enclosed which nobody viewing has any notion as to its amount.

So why do I watch at all? First, it has reached the level, like some movies, as being so bad that it is (sometimes) pretty "good," in a fascinating way. And I hope to catch the occasional contestant for whom you can "root," who has the intelligence to take the 6-figure offer, perhaps $200,000 or more, rather than risk opening the one large case remaining, among several smaller ones. This would be like someone having a $200,000 bankroll in Vegas, and laying $150,000 on the table, knowing if they picked a low card (among, say, 4 or 5) they could make a nice winning but if they selected the high one, their 150 thou would be gone. No sane person should make this wager. Yet several who could have walked away with a quarter of a million or so have opened one case too many and left (if smart) with 30- to 50-thousand. But several of these have continued and opened the last reasonably large case to leave with $10,000 or less.

Even the best poker players - the pros - go "on tilt" - playing stupidly the nest hand or two after a significant loss, compounding the problem, even though they know better. The contestants on this show do this a maximum speed.

I'd also like to see the occasional show (only one I saw was close to this, although there have probably been some others) where a contestant opens almost nothing but low amounts.

The reverse would interesting, where a contestant might open the cases with the nine largest amount initially.

One other fact. Among the contestants, as well as the three friends/family each one has on-stage (they must be endured, as well, as well as Howie's banter with them) most seem to have one thing in common: whatever their ages, backgrounds or interests, few look like they have ever pushed away from the dinner table early, or refused additional helpings.

On a recent program, the man playing turned-down $41,000, and then opened the last big case ($300,000) with $5,000 the highest of the few then remaining. He got to the point of a $2,500 "offer, with two cases remaining - $5,000 & $10. He kept "his" case, walked away with ten bucks, but with Howie's affirmation that he has a lovely family.

On another, A young Korean man, for once a likable, non-annoying presence, announced his folks had come to America with just $750 to make a new life. His parents were in the audience (and thankfully, likable as well), and he had the good sense to take $200,000+, with $75, $750 and $750,000 remaining. The was indeed an interesting coincidence, and his case contained $750, more interesting yet. But Howie treated this as if it were just shy of being on the order or the "second coming." This show does not lack hyperbole in any way.

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Great Show!, 29 June 2007

Author: knightfan1980 from Connecticut United States

This is one of my favorite game shows and I have been watching it since it's debut in 2005. Howie Mandel is an excellent as the host of the show as I used to watch his voice work as Bobby on Bobby's World, and other things he voiced and was in. It's hard to chose which case is the million dollar case so it's a good game with good skills, etc and can't believe no one one it yet, but some of the contestants did have the million in their cases but this is still a good show. The Lucky case game is good as well and you can play the online game they have on the NBC site which is good and there is the DVD version of the game as well as PC which I do have so watch this show if you like Mandel or just bored.

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1 out of 1 people found the following comment useful :-
My frustration with the contestants keeps me watching, 15 February 2007
Author: Dan Grant (dan.grant@bell.ca) from Toronto, Ontario

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

I love this show. It's the best game show to air since the original Millionaire. It is so simple and that is what makes it so brilliant. Howie is the perfect game show host and his personality and quick wit combined with the greed of the contestants make the show the most fun hour on TV.

How frustrating is it to see greedy people making 40 grand a year turn down a years salary because there might be 300,000 in the case. Why turn down 40, 50, 70 thousand when this is free money? What did you have to do to make this money? You were there for 60 minutes and someone is handing you a check for 60 grand and you have the audacity to say no? Unreal!

I remember watching one train wreck of a contestant who had an offer of $75,000 with three small amounts left and one large amount $250,000. She had to open one case at a time but her small amounts remaining were $1000.00, $50.00 and something else. All she had to do was accept the $75,000 and she just made a years salary, if not more. What does she do? She goes on and the next case she knocks out the $250,000. Everyone ooohed and awed and shed a tear for her. Me? I yelled at the TV..."IDIOT!! GREEDY MORON!!!! TOOL!!! WHAT A STUPID DORK!!!" I was angry that she hit it but glad at the same time. How can someone be that greedy when you are being given a gift that you didn't have to work for?

This is the strength of the show and it's what keeps it in the top ten each week. I enjoy this show and as I said, Howie Mandel is the perfect personality for the film but the idiot, greedy, avaricious contestants keep me frustrated but entertained. After all, the only thing more fun than watching people win tons of money is watching them lose it.

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5 out of 9 people found the following comment useful :-
Boring, 7 October 2006

Author: enrichus from United States

I'm not very patient. Waiting for Howie to reveal what's in the cases is infuriating with his after the commercial delay after his deadpan, dumb expression delay. All the drama surrounding the contestant's "deal or no deal" and their helper's standing nearby to help is childish. Howie's germ fetish is ridiculous. If he is that afraid of touching hands why is he on the show. Howie is not as funny as a host than when he is doing stand-up comedy with his "glove" on his head. Maybe he needs to put the gloves on his hands. Get the show moving!!! I'm afraid that the show would be only fifteen minutes long if that happened. I don't watch the show anymore even if there is nothing else on the "tube". Then, TV is off. Sorry, Howie, I hope you didn't quit your day job!

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6 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
Game show host, comedian, former cartoon actor., 22 May 2006

Author: picrob2000 from United States

To tell the truth, I never thought the former "Bobby" (host Howie Mandell) would become a game show host, but many other actors such as Louie Anderson and Richard Karn (Family Feud) and Donny Osmond (Pyramid) have done this and made success out of it, and Mandell, in my opinion, was a good choice as host, despite the many ways he can ask that one question every viewer can think of an answer to, "Deal or No Deal?" Out of all the prime time game shows, I predict this will not become a syndicated daytime game show like others such as "Who Wants To Be a Millionaire," which changed hosts while it became syndicated, but Regis Philbin has hosted a few specials after the change, otherwise, Meredith Viera from "The View" as the host. The only person I don't like on the show is the banker because I think he can give better offers to contestants than what was shown on episodes. For example, the banker may offer around $100,000 when the contestant has his own case and four other cases, including the $1 million case and a couple of other top amounts are still on the board in play, NO DEAL. Overall, great show, even though the banker needs to get real.

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6 out of 11 people found the following comment useful :-
A nifty idea well done, 27 February 2006
Author: CC Hunt from United States

Who would have thought that a new premise for a game show was waiting around? "Deal or No Deal" (2005) borrows heavily on the style originated by "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?" (1999), but the game play is unique and fun to watch.

As good as it is, host Howie Mandel makes the show much better. He easily ranks as high as any of the best hosts of shows past in skill and is easily on par with Gene Rayburn, Bob Eubanks, and Richard Dawson for genuine personality. He would be a joy to watch even if the show itself was of lesser quality.

The show is well worth watching but I fear that the viewing public will tire of it quickly. Likely the pace is not frenetic enough for many and those seeking a mental challenge will feel forgotten.

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1 out of 2 people found the following comment useful :-
A Well-Done And Addictive Game Show(SPOILERS), 29 January 2007

Author: MovieGuyTay-7-G from Minnesota

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

SPOILERS

I was not too excited about seeing Deal Or No Deal at first. It seemed like a lame game-show and it looked like it had been done a million times. Well, I was dead wrong. This was a really fun game-show to watch. Plus, it had the voice of Gizmo the Mogwai in it.

Here is the concept. A contestant comes in. They choose a case. Then they open cases. The less money in a case, the more money they win. The more money in a case, the less money you win. At the end of a round you are asked if you want to keep the money or not. If you do, you see if you made a good deal. If you do not, you keep going until you stop or the game is over.

Overall, this is a very fun, cool game-show to watch. Although it is no Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, Family Feud, the Price Is Right, Jeoparody, or Match Game, it is still a good choice of game-show to watch. It is also kind of sad to see a really fun contestant not win a lot of money. Once there was a really warm-hearted guy that only won about ten dollars. Also, like I said before, the host of Deal Or No Deal, which is Howie Mandel, voices Gizmo is the movie Gremlins, which was kind of interesting if you ask me.

8/10

Recommended TV Game-Shows: Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

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