A Look at CBS’s “Let’s Make A Deal” Pilot
Our friends at Hollywood Junket were on the set for the pilot of Let’s Make A Deal. It looks to be pretty good. The show, from Fremantle (same people who do Family Feud and The Price is Right) is hosted by Wayne Brady. I don’t think Wayne’s the absolute best choice but it’s hard to argue that he’s popular and apparently a good host. Plus this show brings him more back to his “interacting with the audience roots” which he does excel at. Amusingly the executive producer of the show is Mike Richards, who is the executive producer for The Price is Right as well. I’m a bit stunned they aren’t being taped on the same set and just redressing the doors for each show, but there we are.
The game is the same as everyone knows, if you remember the old version. Basically people are having to make decisions between cash or a mystery prize behind a curtain or a door. People gamble tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes for the chance at possibly a car, but it could be a “Zonk”, or just a worthless gag prize. At the end of the show Wayne goes down the line of people who won the most during the show asking if they want to trade it all away until he finds two to go for the Big Deal, which is behind one of the doors. It’s the grand daddy to Deal or No Deal and in Let’s Make A Deal‘s defense it is much funnier, quicker, entertaining, and random.
I really don’t know if CBS is considering to fill the gap left by Guiding Light come September with two shows or one show with two episodes a day. I’ve heard that The $1,000,000 Pyramid is looking pretty good to go, and I can’t imagine a better daily game show block than Let’s Make A Deal, Pyramid, and The Price is Right. The Dating Game, another show up for the afternoon slot, still has to pilot but to be frank I’ll be stunned and a bit disappointed if that goes anywhere beyond that. Pictures are on their website, so check it out when you get a chance. What do you think? In terms of reviving shows they did as good of a job as you can. Fremantle’s been on a roll for a while now, with their shows. Let’s see if they can keep it up.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Here's the link to the hollywood Junket article: http://hollywoodjunket.com/blog/2009/07/09/lets-m…
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
It looks really good and sounds like it's being taken care of the right way, but my only gripe is that a lot of the games from the 60s, 70s and 80s are very similar to some of the pricing games used on Price. Putting those two shows back-to-bzck (or 10 & 11) might get tiresome for the audience to see pretty much the same thing they saw at 10 on at 11. If they can find a balance of new games that don't rely heavily on prices, then I'm all for it. Anything to keep the Dating Game out of the running, anyway.
Fremantle's on a roll ? Lol, you're a lot more lenient to them than I am Alex… ;)
However, it seems as if they're sticking to the classic format for the show *which shouldn't need a change, IMHO*, which gets many positive marks from me, and I also believe Brady is a good choice for host. The show is strongly host-driven, as it is them that is the crucial tipping point on making giving up $1000 for a chance at curtain 3 both enticing for the contestant and exciting for the viewer. Wayne Brady I think can do this, provided he's not being forced to rush through things faster than a Britney Spears marriage…
The one thing I'll be interested to see if Fremantle throws in, trying to appeal to the BIG MONEY GAME SHOW mentality, is if they include the Super Deal at the end. The show doesn't need it, I feel, to work, but it wouldn't surprise me if they attempt something of its magnitude to supposedly rectify w/e minimum big win scenario GS's these days seem to wanna have…
I'm surprised they aren't using the pieces of the Price set too. My Aunt attended an audition, held after a taping of Price is Right, back in early June, and they used the Price set then.
Of course, it was an audition which wasn't filmed for broadcast, but still… I would imagine it would be possible to put different panels on the doors, and ta-da! Let's Make a Deal.
Any word on a possible announcer?
Yeah, that's not going to happen. It's fairly ridiculous to be honest with you. That's really expensive for a weekly show, in addition to the other prizes given away throughout the week. Ain't gonna happen.
And Taylor, the Junket article mentioned that the co-host/announcer (basically taking over the old Jay Stewart role) is a relative unknown named Jonathan Mangum. His most prominent role was on The Drew Carey Show and Drew's Green Screen Show. So, he too comes from the world of interaction and improv.
Pictures are on who's website?
I just hope that this version will be better than Billy Bush and FOX. I honestly think that Wayne will do a fine job.
If I could work the prize format for the Big Deal, it would go like this: x < or = $5K, $10K < x < $15K & x > =$20K. No Super Deal. In this economy, even game shows need a little "downturn" once in a while.
I think the pyramid lmad block is a wonderful idea. Wayne is a real people person and will be great. No matter how good he is he will never measure up Monty, after all the game was molded around his auctioneer talents
If the show sells, and Wayne Brady is the host (excellent choice, BTW) and should Ryan Stiles become the show's announcer (why NOT?) , then who'll take over Carol Merrill's old role as "model/prize lady?" Josie Lawrence? Karen Nakamura? KATHY KINNEY?
One can only hope and pray that Fremental, er, uh, FreMANTLE doesn't f*** this one up, either.
And, so WHAT if the show doesn't "borrow" from TPIR's set?
I think when you compare it with the value of prizes given away on TPIR, it might be a bit much to see them start giving away $100K on a regular basis…
Who's website are the pictures for the LMAD and pilot are? Were you talking about Fremantle's? Also, I used to live in Orlando who carried Guiding Light at 10 AM before TPIR and I do hope that they move Rachel Ray to the late afternoon and put LMAD and $1M Pyramid together
No super deals, please!!!!!!!!! LMAD is NOT a big money game show. It's a comedy show that sometimes will offer some serious bling. It's all about the cars and zonks!
I'm sometimes as guilty of this as anyone here, but why do we feel the need to re-format a classic?
That said, the set looks great…totally different than the original, but it still had a familiar feel to it. As a promotions guy in real life, I think it's very cool that CBS could have 3 classic game shows back-to-back that all pay tribute to their roots while moving us all (some of us kicking and screaming) into the 21st century! I think Wayne Brady is a good choice as host. And the possibilities of cross-promotion with Drew and TPIR are endless. I agree that they'll have to be careful not to make the two shows (LMAD and TPIR) too similar. But I'm getting stoked. I hope they announce some pick-ups soon.
Hollywood Junket's website.
Hollywood Junket's site. I found a link at
http://www.gameshownewsnet.com
To be fair, if the big deal is prized at $25-35K, it means that the show will only have barely kept up with inflation, although your dollar does go a lot farther in terms of buying good appliances, etc.
I do, however, agree with your overall point — shows like the Newlywed Game and the Match Game were about having a few laughs and a good time, with money and prizes thrown in between.
If LMaD bows with Wayne Brady, don't doubt for a moment a Drew Carey cameo appearance.
Great to see how four of WLiiA?'s cast members have gone on to the game show realm — some, obviously, faring better than others: Drew ("The Power of 10" and TPiR), Wayne (this pilot and "Don't Forget the Lyrics"), Colin Mochrie (Canada's version of "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?") and Greg Proops (the short-lived, but fun, "Vs." on Comedy Central).
And Brad Sherwood had a short-lived show (on ABC, I think) called The Big Moment and he hosted that crappy Dating Game reboot in the 90s before Chuck Woolery.
I'm loving Rachel Reynolds as the new Carol!
Greg Proops also hosted a short lived dating show called Rendez-View.
I can't argue with Wayne Brady hosting this version. I just hope CBS greenlights the show. It would be a great pairing with The Price is Right (that is if CBS give affiliates the option of airing it at 10/9 or 3/2). What a block that would be, $1,000,000 Pyramid, Let's Make A Deal, and The Price Is Right. Just like old times.
Definitely. 15-25K for a big deal is sufficient.
I just went to the Hollywood Junket website and read the article.
The set is definitely retro, but I dunno if it it might be a little too retro for my personal tastes. More pics might change that. The article makes me feel even better about Brady, and that the games they used worked well for the show. A $28k big deal also is very reasonable IMHO, my basis of comparison being the showcases on TPIR.
It all sounds good. I'll be anxious to hear more as time goes on. :D