Review: “Let’s Make A Deal” Pretty Good, But CBS Picked the Wrong Game Show
By now I’m guessing a good deal of you have seen CBS’s revival of the classic game show Let’s Make A Deal starring Wayne Brady. I finally saw it online a bit ago and it left me with mix feelings. If you know of the classic version at all then you know this. It’s the same exact show, where people trade supposedly useless or hidden items for what may be behind a door, curtain, or box. Prizes can range from cash, cars, camels, and more. At the end of the show host Wayne Brady goes through the day’s biggest dealers and asks if they want to trade away what they’ve won during the show for a chance at the Big Deal which is in excess of $20,000 generally it seems. Only one person can be selected and that person takes home whatever is behind one of the three big doors.
Starting with the positives: Wayne Brady and co-host Johnathan Magnum did fantastic together. They had a great chemistry together which is needed. It didn’t seem like a typical game show because of this. It seemed like a Las Vegas stage show which is pretty appropriate since that’s where it tapes and it fits with the feel. The set was really great and kept a classic look while updating it to 2009. The prizes were fine overall, contestants were fine, games were fine.
I do have to comment on something a ton of people complained about, though. In the classic version, two Dealers got a chance at the Big Deal. In this version, only one does. Is there a reason people are complaining about it so much because I don’t see it. I think it’s a bit hypocritical for some of the people who complain about the Price is Right fans freaking out about really dumb stuff to complain that they aren’t doing this exactly how the classic version did. It’s extremely obvious they are doing this from a budgetary standpoint and it makes sense. Otherwise odds are they’d be giving away a $20K+ Big Deal plus $8K-$10K to the other player. That’s a lot for the budget. Is there some actual reason a lot of people are complaining or is this another case of, “I want this revived specifically as it was in the 70s,” because if this is the biggest problem for a lot of you, they did a fantastic job with the show.
I only saw two real issues with the actual show. One of them was the money being tossed around. I really can’t believe it’s 2009 and we’re tempting people with around $300-$1,000; which is basically the same amount they had in the 70′s. I’m not asking to be trading $10,000 constantly but come on. It made it seem like a joke. Also the show stretched unbelievably long in that hour. Half way through the show I was pretty bored and fast forwarding to anything that looked remotely interesting. I get CBS’s logic with the 60 minute Let’s Make A Deal but it just didn’t work out that well. But overall the mechanics of the show were as good as I could have hoped for.
Like I said, the mechanics were fine but something just felt really off with the show. Let’s Make A Deal didn’t seem like a big deal or anything special. The similarities to The Price is Right are bound to be drawn. I know this came first but I couldn’t help but think Deal or No Deal constantly as well. I kept thinking, “People are tossing away $30,000 like nothing on Deal or No Deal and they are trying to draw out tension in trading away $300 on Let’s Make a Deal? No thanks.” We’ve had the two elements of this shown driven into our skulls endlessly already. Again I know LMAD came first but I just couldn’t help but think this was nothing that great.
It’s why I truly think CBS flat out chose the wrong game show for the daytime slot. Watching this today made it unbelievably evident it should have been The $1,000,000 Pyramid instead. This isn’t favoritism talking. I mean Deal or No Deal is on so many times a day and The Price is Right is on right around the same time as this new show. It felt like nothing that I need to be around to watch, and that is going to hurt the show in the long run. There was nothing here that made me want to make sure I was around for the next show. I’ll be watching when I can but it was just, “Eh,” for lack of a better grunt. Pyramid is different enough from everything else on television right now to get a bit more attention and it becomes appointment television during the big money finals. To repeat: I’m well aware that CBS chose this because it was the easiest to abuse at the hour time slot and the whole product placement, but it was just the wrong decision.
So there we have it. I’ll keep watching if I’m around because I really want to see new daytime game shows but they did nothing to really impress me. It felt like the same old, same old. We’ve seen this before and we see it for hours on end each day already. In the end it just felt like a really missed opportunity for CBS to really get some more attention. I wish Let’s Make A Deal all the luck in the world and I want it to succeed very badly. Like I said, it’s a good show and they did just about everything they could correct with a few minor exceptions. But it just felt like nothing special and irrelevant at this time. Am I alone in thinking this? Pretty good show all-in-all but just left a neutral feeling on me.
Did you get my email? I hope I sent it to the right address. We had a major site issue overnight and I had to wipe this post out and replace it. I only got about half the comments backed up before it stopped. You may have noticed the site has been running slower than normal recently. Just having some issues, that's all. I really don't care about disagreeing as long as you aren't a total ass and actually contribute to the conversation instead of taking a needless slam.
And for the record there is no bias here with a person on this one. With the show maybe since it's flat out my favorite game show, but that's it. I sincerely think LMAD won't do anything in the long run. I don't know if Pyramid would have done any better, though. But LMAD was cheaper to do in the long run and it played a big part of why we see it.
And Randy…you base that on what exactly?
Did you get my email? I may have mistyped your address. We had a major site issue overnight and I had to wipe this post out and replace it. I only got about half the comments backed up before it stopped. You may have noticed the site has been running slower than normal recently. Just having some issues, that's all. I really don't care about disagreeing as long as you aren't a total ass and actually contribute to the conversation instead of taking a needless slam.
And for the record there is no bias here with a person on this one. With the show maybe since it's flat out my favorite game show, but that's it. I sincerely think LMAD won't do anything in the long run. I don't know if Pyramid would have done any better, though. But LMAD was cheaper to do in the long run and it played a big part of why we see it.
Did you get my email? I may have mistyped your address. We had a major site issue overnight and I had to wipe this post out and replace it. I only got about half the comments backed up before it stopped. You may have noticed the site has been running slower than normal recently. Just having some issues, that's all. I really don't care about disagreeing as long as you aren't a total ass and actually contribute to the conversation instead of taking a needless slam.
And for the record there is no bias here with a person on this one. With the show maybe since it's flat out my favorite game show, but that's it. I sincerely think LMAD won't do anything in the long run. I don't know if Pyramid would have done any better, though. But LMAD was cheaper to do in the long run and it played a big part of why we see it.
Did you get my email? I may have mistyped your address. We had a major site issue overnight and I had to wipe this post out and replace it. I only got about half the comments backed up before it stopped. You may have noticed the site has been running slower than normal recently. Just having some issues, that's all. I really don't care about disagreeing as long as you aren't a total ass and actually contribute to the conversation instead of taking a needless slam.
And for the record there is no bias here with a person on this one. With the show maybe since it's flat out my favorite game show, but that's it. I sincerely think LMAD won't do anything in the long run. I don't know if Pyramid would have done any better, though. But LMAD was cheaper to do in the long run and it played a big part of why we see it.
Did you get my email? I may have mistyped your address. We had a major site issue overnight and I had to wipe this post out and replace it. I only got about half the comments backed up before it stopped. You may have noticed the site has been running slower than normal recently. Just having some issues, that's all. I really don't care about disagreeing as long as you aren't a total ass and actually contribute to the conversation instead of taking a needless slam.
And for the record there is no bias here with a person on this one. With the show maybe since it's flat out my favorite game show, but that's it. I sincerely think LMAD won't do anything in the long run. I don't know if Pyramid would have done any better, though. But LMAD was cheaper to do in the long run and it played a big part of why we see it.
Oh come on, Deal is cheaper. Product placement, not taping in LA or NYC, no celebrity fees, less actual cash given away, and a lot more. You can't say someone has no idea what they are talking about and then you have no clear idea yourself.
I'm not sure where you get your figures, but going by the CPI (which has been consistently figured since 1975), $20,000 of todays money = $5800 in 1977–I seem to remember LMAD having bigger deals of the day back then.
This is the only complaint that I have with LMaD.
The Big Deal NEEDS to have 2 people/dealers playing it!!
It does not work with one.
Other that that, the set looks awesome, Wayne and company flows well and I don't mind the hour long format. As long as they don't lose creativity and perhaps bring some retro into it.
The flaw in the 1/2-hour-being-more-cost-effective logic is that the 30 minute show then loses half the income it's bringing in.
Depends on how much of the prize budget is offset by sponsorships.
Im happy with the new lmad i wish they had more games and don't have it drag out. I don't really care for a million dollar Pyramid Cbs already had million dollar password i rather see that retooled for a 30 min format instead of pyramid.
Let me put it this way. . .I will watch when not in class, it isn't to bad. The fact that there is only a one person Big Deal wasn't to big for me. For my money though they could have taped this show at Television City, although Wayne probably didn't want to have to travel to far for work. The good thing about the shows hour long format is that it lets the people think more on the deals than what would have been allowed in a half hour show. IMO I would;ve pefered a LMAD, Pyramid, (and in some places) TPIR punch for daytime game shows. Ah well. . .someday.
Cancel it… it is a complete waste of air time!
Maybe CBS is trying LMAD as an hour format to see how it would work this year. Who knows maybe next year it will go to 1/2 hour and then Pyramid after it. While the new version of LMAD isn’t perfect I still enjoy it. Wayne Brady is the best host I’ve seen since Monty Hall. So they pick lthe right host here. I personally think $1,000 should be the cheapest amount offered but the money isn’t that big of a deal to me to keep me from watching. I’m just grateful that LMAD is back and i hope it stayed on and Pyramid comes back. While were at it and i hope CBS reads this please bring back Card Sharks played like the 80′s version ( Eubanks and Raffety version with higher stakes) with the opening music from Perry Version. Could also bring back Press Your Luck with higher stakes (1st round $2,500 is the highest amount, 2nd round $10,000 and a spin the highest amount for round two. I would love to see a lot more gameshows back in daytime.
Another person hoping that they decide at some point in time to reduce LMAD to a half-hour, and bring in the Pyramid.
You are right.. outside of the Password/Pyramid blocks we have on GSN, there isn't anything like what Pyramid is on national TV. It's fun watching celebrities having fun.. and helping contestants win.
Of course, I am one who thinks that Password should be put on daytime again, and returned to either the PLUS or SUPER format of the 70's and 80's. Nevermind this fast-paced and hypertension million dollar chain.
Wouldn't this be something:
10:00AM – $1000k Pyramid
10:30AM – LMAD
11:00AM – TPIR
12:00PM – Local News
12:30PM – Mega Password [Updated Super or Password-Plus type show, not MDP type]
Soapies until 4.
It'd be more daytime gameshows on network than we've had in years.
Or maybe, just maybe, it was no good and the network had no confidence in Davies to deliver a show that could get them ratings and make them money. Maybe his insistence on Tim Vincent as the host was a bad idea. How much effing up can he do? Apparently a lot.
Ask any producer which is more expensive, LMAD or Pyramid and they will tell you it's LMAD. Unanimously.
When this was announced, I said that LMAD would ONLY work if they got the right host, as it is very much a host-driven show. When I heard Wayne Brady was announced, I thought the show had a shot. I can finally say now: VINDICATION! :D
I watched the show these past two days and loved every minute of it. I grew up watching the originals and the 80's versions, so if too much was tinkered with or sexed up, I do think I would've been a bit turned off, but thankfully, such was not the case. The Big Deal change doesn't insult me, it's prudent financially (and if anyone believes LMAD's more expensive than Pyramid, I ask when was it that we've see $1,000,000, let along even any 6 digit number, offered on ANY LMaD EVER?) and when handled right, can be just as dramatic as with 2 traders. I also figure that Wayne is not being paid a Carey/Sajak/Barker/Trebek salary at this point, so your expensive argument fails there too.
The product placement on the show is perfect, not overdrawn, and well worth the airtime that CBS will be reimbursed for investing in it. The correct decision was made here because the production companies didn't screw with the classic and familiar format too much, it's a light, relaxing, happy, fun little show that ties in nicely with other shows on the network, the show is substantially cheaper than its predecessor, the show allows for advertising to pay a hefty chunk of the show's expenses contributing to its affordability, and they got the correct people (behind the scenes and in front of the camera) to work it. Major props to CBS, you've made this lifelong LMAD fan very happy, and I hope you reap nothing from success from the show. :D
When this was announced, I said that LMAD would ONLY work if they got the right host, as it is very much a host-driven show. When I heard Wayne Brady was announced, I thought the show had a shot. I can finally say now: VINDICATION! :D
I watched the show these past two days and loved every minute of it. I grew up watching the originals and the 80's versions, so if too much was tinkered with or sexed up, I do think I would've been a bit turned off, but thankfully, such was not the case. The Big Deal change doesn't insult me, it's prudent financially (and if anyone believes LMAD's more expensive than Pyramid, I ask when was it that we've see $1,000,000, let along even any 6 digit number, offered on ANY LMaD EVER?) and when handled right, can be just as dramatic as with 2 traders. I also figure that Wayne is not being paid a Carey/Sajak/Barker/Trebek salary at this point, so your expensive argument fails there too.
The product placement on the show is perfect, not overdrawn, and well worth the airtime that CBS will be reimbursed for investing in it. The correct decision was made here because the production companies didn't screw with the classic and familiar format too much, it's a light, relaxing, happy, fun little show that ties in nicely with other shows on the network, the show is substantially cheaper than its predecessor, the show allows for advertising to pay a hefty chunk of the show's expenses contributing to its affordability, and they got the correct people (behind the scenes and in front of the camera) to work it. Major props to CBS, you've made this lifelong LMAD fan very happy, and I hope you reap nothing but success from the show. :D
Randy, you're going to have to explain that to me. How is LMAD more expensive than Pyramid would have been? Taking the $1,000,000 that Pyramid would have offered off the table. Most merchandise prizes are either donated in exchange for promotional consideration, or offered at a steep discount. (Cars these days aren't likely free.) Cash is…well, cash! If LMAD and Pyramid were to award roughly the same cash value of prizes in a given week, LMAD's actual prize outlay would have been less than Pyramid's, wouldn't it?
Granted, I only produced a local lottery show, but we were always looking for more merchandise to offer as prizes because it meant less out-of-pocket cost to us than awarding cash.
I'll also grant you that every show is different and LMAD has costs that Pyramid wouldn't incur. Remote production, prize storage, etc.
But I would like to see the poll you took of producers. That unanimous response is impressive!
The only problem I have with the show, and this is quite a minor one, compared to the other posts on here, is that it happens to be at the Tropicana. I mean come on! The Venetian, where Wayne already has his own show at, is MUCH bigger and nicer. That and he wouldn't have to worry about the lousy traffic on the Strip.
I should know, I've been stuck in Strip traffic. Worst traffic I've ever been in outside of Branson.
The show wasn’t bad at all. I thought Wayne and Jonathan clicked the same way Drew and Rich does on the Price Is Right. And I know some of you wondered why the show is taped in Vegas instead of at CBS Television City or the Ed Sullivan Theater? It’s because (as Chris mentions) Wayne Brady has his own show at the Venetian (where LMAD is also taped) and I’m sure that CBS was thinking of the traveling despite the fact that Vegas is (give or take) an hour from Los Angeles.
To Rich: That would be the dream lineup. One problem: Wrestling the 10/9 slot from affiliates. Plus soapies until 4? If As the World Turns ends up like its sister show, Guiding Light, the only soap operas that will be on CBS are The Young & The Restless and its sister show The Bold & The Beautiful. So how will you fill the 1p-2p hour?
To Scott Meckley: I would love to see Card Sharks on the air, especially since they’ve butchered it back in 2001.
Er, no, DeVares. As the opening of the show mentions, it's at the Tropicana, not the Venetian. Hence my earlier post…
Having watched all five of the shows this week, there is DEFINITE growth potential for this show. From Monday to Friday, Wayne (and the show) got better and better. The energy level that was a little lacking on Monday, was MUCH higher on Friday as Wayne and announcer Jonathan got more and more comfortable in their shoes. It felt MUCH more fun and interesting on Friday than it did during the nervousness of the earlier shows in the week. i'm pleased.
To all those thinking it should be a half hour show to make room for a Pyramid revival: As nice as this would be, its NOT gonna happen. If there's a light at the end of the tunnel, it's this. If the ratings for this very compatible show with TPIR are stong enough, perhaps the rest of the networks will take notice and we may yet still have a revival of Pyramid on another network (and perhaps a Scrabble revival too, hmmmm)
I am totally bored I watched all 5 shows last week and 1 today. I am a die hard if it works don't fix it!
It worked and they have over the years on TV thought they should fix it. I think Wayne Brady is good at improv. Not good as the New Host. I new Stefan Hatos personally and He would have never let this show air as it is right now. I would have liked to see the Host of the Live Version Tim Wise have a shot. He had done the show for 10 years or so traveling the U.S.A.
I saw the show in San Diego a few years back and he really got the audience excited and knew the deals.
I am sad to say that Wanye and Drew are NOT GAME SHOW HOSTS. They are FLAT like a Coke left out for days. No fizz. 1 trader for the big deal was Stefan's Idea. I do think that 2 is better.
The announcer does not sell the sizzle. He is as flat as the rest of them. I am sure they are nice guys. Nothing personal. If I am going to give 1 hour of my day, I want to be entertained and they have thus far missed the mark. Sadly
The one thing I dont care for on the new LMAD, is Wayne himself. Now I have nothing against Wayne…He's a funny comedian, and he and Drew Carey are buds, so Im sure thats how he got the gig. But he's not Monty Hall. Im not saying he has to BE Monty Hall, but Monty was a dealer. Wayne is a host. They intro Wayne as "TV's Big Dealer", but theres never that quality about him and the show. He's not making deals, he's offering $700 to someone, then he's offering $800, and so on. I never get the "Ok tell ya what Im gonna do" kind of feel with him as you did with Monty. Now to be fair, I wasnt a big Drew fan til he got comfortable and made TPIR his own, so maybe thats what Wayne needs to do. But right now, Its just WEayne throwing money and prizes at people…some CBS affiliates have already moved this show around because of lower than expected ratings, so it will be interesting to see how this all fleshes out. I would like to see a Pyramid revival as well, although its too bad DC cant be a part of it…Oh well, theres always GSN for that!
The one thing I dont care for on the new LMAD, is Wayne himself. Now I have nothing against Wayne…He's a funny comedian, and he and Drew Carey are buds, so Im sure thats how he got the gig. But he's not Monty Hall. Im not saying he has to BE Monty Hall, but Monty was a dealer. Wayne is a host. They intro Wayne as "TV's Big Dealer", but theres never that quality about him and the show. He's not making deals, he's offering $700 to someone, then he's offering $800, and so on. I never get the "Ok tell ya what Im gonna do" kind of feel with him as you did with Monty. Now to be fair, I wasnt a big Drew fan til he got comfortable and made TPIR his own, so maybe thats what Wayne needs to do. But right now, Its just WEayne throwing money and prizes at people…some CBS affiliates have already moved this show around because of lower than expected ratings, so it will be interesting to see how this all fleshes out. I would like to see a Pyramid revival as well, although its too bad DC cant be a part of it…Oh well, theres always GSN for that!
Stefan is dead. Monty is the creative consultant, but he's not doing anything because Fremantle won't let him. How this format got sold to Fremantle I'll never know.
Stefan is dead. Monty is the creative consultant, but he's not doing anything because Fremantle won't let him. How this format got sold to Fremantle I'll never know.
Stefan is dead. Monty is the creative consultant, but he's not doing anything because Fremantle won't let him. How this format got sold to Fremantle I'll never know.