I am – Hercules!!

It’s another highly-rated British game show adapted for American TV. Like the old “Who Wants to Be A Millionaire,” “Deal or No Deal” is being introduced to the United States in a “strip schedule,” with NBC airing new hourlong episodes at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday of this week. The game itself is pretty much “Let’s Make a Deal,” only with 26 leggy spokesmodels, a bit more strategy and a great deal more money at stake. It reminds me a little of playing No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. A little.

Does it star the good Wayne Fiscus Howie Mandel of “St. Elsewhere” or the bad Howie “What? What?” Mandel of “Evening at the Improv”? We’re pleased to report that Mandel, while still a loathsome comedian when left to his own devices, is here not often left to his own devices.

Watching Americans bathe and bake in their own greed turns out again to be infectious fun, and I do suspect NBC could have a mammoth hit on its hands, especially since it’s Christmas week and almost everything’s in repeats. But what matters Herc’s opinion? Variety says:

… does a creditable job building suspense, but it's hard to imagine the premise - basically a simple-minded "Let's Make a Deal," minus bedroom sets and Monty Hall - possessing much staying power. … The twist, such as it is, is the unseen "banker," who, in periodic intervals, calculates the shifting odds and offers the player a cash buyout to quit. Whether the contestant takes the certain money or presses onward provides the oft-repeated title, "Deal or No Deal." …

The Hollywood Reporter says:

At one point in the first episode of this game show from Endemol USA, host Howie Mandel tells the contestant, "This is not just a game of chance." He's wrong. It is entirely a game of chance. Unlike other game shows that, from time to time, impart information, albeit trivial, "Deal or No Deal" shows only how well contestants and their families can follow exhortations to show emotions.…

The New York Post says:

Do you remember how insanely exciting the first season of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" was? Well, hold onto your seats, because for the next five nights something as equally maddening and exciting is coming your way. It's called "Deal or No Deal," and it's a game show that's been a mega hit in 35 countries, and when you see it, you'll know why. …

The Boston Globe says:

… it will test your nerves, if you expect more from a game show than coyly manufactured tension and a host who's all hyped up on artificial energy. The needy NBC may be hoping ''Deal or No Deal" will become its ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," but the show … makes ''Millionaire" look downright substantive and complex. It's only a few shades more adult than, say, playing with blocks. …

The Boston Herald says:

… Mandel, looking more like Dr. Evil every day, is thankfully reined in by the relentless rhythm of the show, asking models to open the remaining cases and pleading with them to “keep it small” - as if these vacuous beauties could work any magic on their cases’ contents.… If the press materials can be believed, this show is a hit in 35 countries. Given the state of international television, I’d like to propose a spinoff: “Let’s Watch Paint Dry.”

The Salt Lake Tribune says:

I'm reeling in guilt right now. I just watched NBC's new prime time game show, “Deal or No Deal,” and I thought it was going to be the most mindless, insignificant game show on the planet. Well . . . it was. But (big gulp), I liked it. In fact - and this is perhaps the greatest measure for how good a game show is - I found myself yelling all kinds of epithets and, um, colorful metaphors at the contestants. Like, “You #%*$@%& idiot! Why on earth did you do that?!?!” Or, “Take the #&%^@* money, you $@&$)*% imbecile!!!!” …

Read more of the show and play the pitilessly addictive home version of the game here. (I just did; and even though my suitcase only contained $200 in fake money I was able to walk away with $144,675 in fake money.)

8 p.m. Monday-Friday. NBC.

Showcase Presents Justice League of America (544 beautiful b&w pages for $11.55!) Contains The Brave and the Bold 28-30 plus Justice League of America 1-16!

Only six more shopping days till Firefly: The Motion Picture!! (Only $16.98!!)

Got three more bucks lying around? Season sets selling new for $19.97 (or less!!) per season!!
ER 1.x * ER 2.x * Friends 1.x * Friends 2.x * Friends 3.x * Friends 4.x * Friends 5.x * Friends 6.x * Friends 7.x * Friends 8.x * Lois & Clark 1.x * Nip/Tuck 1.x * The West Wing 1.x * The West Wing 2.x * Wonder Woman 1.x * Wonder Woman 2.x