deal or no deal series premiere- Memorable TV Features

USA |NBC

NBC announced today that its high-stakes version of the international hit game show “Deal or No Deal” - hosted by actor-comedian Howie Mandel -- will premiere as a five-night event from Monday, December 19 through Friday, December 23 (8-9 p.m. all nights).

Hosted by Mandel (“Hidden Howie”), “Deal or No Deal” is an exhilarating game show from the producers of NBC’s “Fear Factor” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” where contestants play and deal for a top prize of $1 million dollars in a high-energy match of nerves, instincts and raw intuition.

The unique scheduling announcement was made today by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

“ ‘Deal or No Deal’ has a proven international track record and we think it has all the drama and excitement to keep American audiences on the edge of their seats,” said Reilly.

Each night, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash -- ranging from a measly penny to $1 million dollars. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one -- his to keep, if he chooses, until its unsealing at game’s end.

The risk element of the game kicks in when the player must then instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases - which are opened and the amount of cash inside revealed. The pressure mounts as in each round, after a pre-determined number of cases are opened, the participant is tempted by a mysterious entity known only as "The Bank" to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant's chosen briefcase - prompting Mandel to ask the all-important question - Deal or No Deal?

As each case is opened, the likelihood of the player having a valuable cash amount in his or her own case decreases or increases. Viewers will see if truly, fortune favors the bold. The contestant knows that as long as the larger cash prizes haven’t been opened, the Bank’s deals will only get higher. And if the torn contestant accidentally opens a case with a bigger cash value -- The Bank’s offer could suddenly vaporize.

Based on the successful format from Endemol that has aired in over 35 countries, “Deal or No Deal” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. The series is executive-produced by Scott St. John.

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the break-out hits, "Fear Factor," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Big Brother." Endemol USA is a division of Endemol Holding, a prominent international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 21 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol Entertainment is a fully owned subsidiary of telecommunications giant Telefonica S.A., one of the largest companies in Spain.