Roggs on 04/30/2008 12:50 pm

I think it's similar to the Price is Right in that it's less about the game itself and more about the freaky, excitable people that play the game. Only, to a much greater extent.

Major step down from shows like Jeopardy, for certain.

BakaGaijin on 04/30/2008 12:57 pm

I think they're building hype for the new Clone Wars CGI movie/TV show coming this summer.

Colonel Flagg on 04/30/2008 12:57 pm

Up front, let me make one thing clear: "Deal ... or No Deal" is a lame game show. Now that's out of the way ....

This is hard, as I'm not formally trained in statistics, but I'll do my best:

The initial selection of a case is random. The subsequent selections of "elimination amounts" provide a statistical distribution of the amount of money that the case could have. This amount provides the basis for the bank's "offer" which is really not an offer, but a statistically determined amount. (They should have a computer answering the phone up there.)

The "skill" involved is knowing when to stop. In other words, when the offer is maximized, or when the statistics give you an advantage. If in your first 6 cases you get 6 low amounts knocked off the board, you should probably quit early - if, on the other hand, you get 6 large amounts knocked off early, there's generally no harm in continuing to the bitter end. The pendulum swings both ways, but this is the gist.

It's hard to apply statistics to this small a data set (30 cases) but in a sense, it's similar to card counting. Unfortunately, you only get one chance to cry "BlackJack!"

BakaGaijin on 04/30/2008 1:01 pm

PS - I am addicted to Game Show Network (GSN, for those of us in the know) for brain-teasers like "Lingo" and "Chain Reaction"... shoot, even the reruns of "Dog Eat Dog" at least make people work for their money. "Deal or No Deal" isn't any better than watching someone else scratch a lottery ticket.

Cruxader (Guest) on 04/30/2008 1:08 pm

Honestly, it was worth it just to see the ladies in the Leia slave girl outfits. Not that Carrie Fisher didn't look good in it back in the day, but these girls ummm... filled it out a little better, if you catch my drift.

Drunken_Lemur408 on 04/30/2008 1:13 pm

President Bush showed up on an episode recently.That has got to be some kind of statement on America's stae as a world power. Did you know Howie Mandell did the voice of Gizmo from Gremlins? He also has OCD.

-RoG- on 04/30/2008 1:19 pm

I think the real question is whether or not this special was worse than the Star Wars Holiday Special, because that's something I always thought was simply impossible.

Fat_Hippo on 04/30/2008 1:35 pm

I've seen glimpses of this TV show before, and I agree with you all: it's retarded. Why anyone would want to watch this is beyond me, but obviously people do, or it wouldn't be on TV. And with lots of the aforementioned bad Star Wars jokes, it must get even worse. What I understand even less are the stupid sods that actually agree, or truy desire, to appear and humiliate themselves on this show. But money makes people do anything I suppose, even if it is to let thousand people laugh at them all over the world. And truly, they deserve it. Of course, that in turn may be why people watch the show in the first place.

Jonny (Guest) on 04/30/2008 1:42 pm

Aww man, we have this in the UK. Not the star wars one though, we had to make do with Catherine Tate dressed like an old lady. Absolute shite! Pensioners love it though...

Big daddy Z (Guest) on 04/30/2008 2:06 pm

For shame for making fun of the Price is Right! Bob Barker had achieved Bob Ross god status before he stepped down, and some of the games were so ridiculous they couldn't help but be awesome. The little yodeling man? I always hoped they lost so he would plummet to his doom, I always got some sick pleasure out of that. Besides, Bob Barker was pimping before pimping was pimping, everyone should give alms to him for that at the least.

Silver on 04/30/2008 2:16 pm

Well, I guess this is better than having characters related to the Star Wars prequels. Don't you think this is nicer than seeing Jar Jar Binks around, Proto?

Hah, ever since Max Burbank revealed his secret about the American Idol stuff now it looks like everyone has to confess something embarrassing.

Now, being serious about it, here in Mexico we had the very same TV show (but obviously with national audience) some years ago. I don't know what made it so popular as I agree with all the folks who said how sucky can random game shows be. I honestly find it clearly stupid about how the people watching those things frustrate themselves when the player does not make the right choice. If I were to see someone acting like that I would think that he is actually related to the player and he or she is going to get a piece of the prize. That would make at least a bit more sense. Also, why does people blame the player when they choose the incorrect number? They usually say things like "See??? I was right, he should have picked number X, what a moron...".

I wonder what is coming up next...

Redem on 04/30/2008 3:21 pm

Well I for one I'm outrage that the quebec version of deal or no deal give bigger cash hand out that the quizz were they ask what are the serial number of car in particular episode of a kid show (no really I kid you not)

and yes it is a sucesss here. For some reason they manage to get one of old prime minister old one of the cash case, what was that strange is that at the same time he was being accuse of getting cash hand out.

Icculus on 04/30/2008 3:48 pm

I don't watch this show but the Leia models caught my eye while flipping around hockey for a few fleeting moments. I don't care how played out you might think it is. The women were sssssssmoking!

The show itself sucks a big fat one but the Star Wars Holiday Special is just in a league of its own.

Kybo Ren on 04/30/2008 4:04 pm

George (F**k with a great thing) Lucas seems to be all about general audiance approval anymore. It's as if to say "hey that douche on O.C. liked the prequels, and america loves O.C., so the public loves the prequels! buy more star wars propaganda- er merchandise" C'mon, I remember a time I liked Star Wars for what it was- Not because everyone else likes it.

Remember it could be worse-

Phyxius (Guest) on 04/30/2008 4:54 pm

The Cash Cab fucking rocks.

Protoclown on 04/30/2008 5:08 pm

Cruxader: I have to give you that one. Those girls in the Slave Leia outfits were pretty damn smoking hot.

Drunken_Lemur408: Are you serious? The President was on an episode? Via satellite at the very least, I hope?

RoG: Do you even have to ask? Dude, I would rather watch this shit every day for the rest of my life than watch the Star Wars Holiday Special ONE MORE TIME. Just to give you an idea.

Silver: Yeah, I guess seeing shit like this is better than the prequels, that's for sure. But hey, let's get one thing straight: I haven't admitted anything embarrassing! Yet.

Icculus: Those Slave Leia models were the only reason I kept watching as long as I did, I have to admit. I think they're on every episode (not dressed like that, obviously). That's the only thing that explains how that show gets viewers.

Silver on 04/30/2008 5:22 pm

Although Carrie Fisher's most famous role is arguably that of Princess Leia you'll be surprised to see how many photos of her in her Slave outfit appear if you just type her name on Google Images. What's more scary of all of it is a photo I found where she is being held by Darth Vader from behind on the beach, apparently an official photo. That was quite disgusting considering the relation between them both.

Misty (Guest) on 04/30/2008 5:43 pm

I remember hearing an ad for it a few weeks ago. I thought something along the lines of "Yeaaah no." and didn't bother to watch. I don't watch the show in the first place because it seems so incredibly boring. Its not like you have to answer an important question to get the money or anything. I think how it goes is that most of the boxes have suckass money amounts and a few have good amounts and you pick a box. And then a guy will call saying he'll buy the box for x amount of money which will probably be worth more then the amount in the box, but theres an infinitly small chance theres a big number in there and will thus be worth less then whats in the box. Its not even like Price is Right where you have to guess the price of the car to win it. Its more akin to pointing at a car and there will be a card inside either saying "you won this car!" or "you didn't win this car!"

Basically I'd rather just watch people buy scratch cards at a quick mart. Even the appeal of Star Wars characters doesn't make it any more interisting because I'd STILL rather watch people buy scratch cards at a quick mart because you get all sorts of weirdos there.

But I, like Proto, would rather watch this special every day for a lifetime then watch the Holiday Special. Not even the oppertunity for unintentional comedy (which we all know ranks at ZERO!) can make me watch it. Not even for the crappy cartoon which is supposed to be the best PART will make me watch it. I'd sooner watch the "Droids" and "Ewoks" old cartoons then the Holiday Special!

Misty (Guest) on 04/30/2008 5:46 pm

Incidently, during the special "Blue Harvest" Family Guy episode earlier in the year there was a Deal or No Deal joke in the show, where Leia/Lois told Vader/Stewie that the Death Star plans were in one of the boxes. Coincidence?

Pandajuice on 04/30/2008 6:12 pm

This show is popular everywhere and yea, it is total random chance and luck. The UK version of the show though is almost totally different in that the money is offered less often (so it's a bit more nail-biting to if the person deals or not) and instead of the models, they have the future contestants (some are there for weeks before it's their turn in the hot seat) opening the boxes. So it's much more community driven and personal than the American version which to me, is sterile and totally random.

Drunken_Lemur408 on 04/30/2008 6:34 pm

I really wish I was joking, but do a youtube search for it. It's there, and proof that he doesn't give a damn anymore. So has anyone ever seen Moment of Truth, The Evilest show on Fox?

Zombie Moshpit on 04/30/2008 8:12 pm

I hate this show so much. It's painfully boring. Although, it might be like that to me just because my family makes me watch it all the time. And my grandma's obsessed with it, somehow. So yeah, the Star Wars special was pretty terrible.

Fast Eddy (Guest) on 04/30/2008 9:19 pm

The "Darth Vader" was the worst of it, every line of dialogue he had was pre-recorded, which led to a couple amusing moments where a contestant would say something to him and get a baffling response in return. I suspect they just put the regular banker guy in a darth suit and told him to raise his fist now and then.

Dungeonbrownies on 04/30/2008 9:28 pm

Im focusing on statistics right now and its an intelligent game for the game show itself, but not even close for the guests.

but I'd say its worth it.

theres no shame at all watching the gals.
they're so well dressed,
and always manage to hit MY freakyswitch,
and im willing to bet,
some nerd at home with a starwars fetish,
is redubbing it in his mind as alternate universe leiahs,
and probably pleasured himself to it
or is currently planning to do so shortly.

Cruxader (Guest) on 04/30/2008 11:24 pm

Whoever it was in the Darth Vader outfit had incredibly small hands. Must've been some carni.

greenimp on 05/01/2008 2:31 am

yeah, no. i watched that show once (australian version) never going to do that again.

Pentegarn on 05/01/2008 5:34 am

I dodn't watch Deal or no Deal Star Wars edition because I like Star Wars. :P

CaTlaloc on 05/01/2008 11:09 am

Howie Mandel should kill himself now to save his family from further shame. He obviously has no dignity, so he cannot save himself. Someone should have dressed up like Han Solo and pulled a Greedo on that bald bastard.

KillerMcGee on 05/01/2008 11:35 am

I like trivia shows, like Jeopardy! and Cash Cab. I hate how a lot of shows are giving less questions like Millionaire and especially Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. They ask like one question every five minutes and tell the contestants to stall.

I liked Australian Deal or No Deal, it was fast paced and the host was charismatic.

Marthaeus Autolykos on 05/01/2008 12:00 pm

Save your mind! Cancel your cable subscription now before it's too late!

yurts (Guest) on 05/01/2008 2:11 pm

I don't know about in america, but here in the UK its taken on by storm!!! absolutely everybody loves it, it seems to be strangely addictive. I don't get how it lasts 2 hours there cos ours is 45min long! Plus we don't really have many gimmicky shows, nothing like star wars, only holiday themed shows! Maybe worth checking out on youtube

StalfrosGR on 05/01/2008 2:22 pm

On a slightly related note- while drunk at Dave n Busters I won the Deal or No Deal arcade game while a crowd of about 15 equally as drunk strangers crowded around me cheering me on. The max prize was only 400 tickets, but by the energy in the crowd that night you would have thought I won the Million (or how every much the Big prize in that game show is...).

Also, I think I got laid that night. Not sure.

Kitsunexus on 05/01/2008 3:26 pm

"Unfortunately I saw a couple of the lame Star Wars jokes they made and it made me wish that lightsabers were real so I could cut my own head off."

That was funny. IF I WAS 13.

Seriously, this is I-Mockery, not Seanbaby.

arg_zombies on 05/01/2008 5:17 pm

Angry Kitsunexus :S

Lostmayhem (Guest) on 05/01/2008 7:29 pm

I saw the Deal or no Deal Star Wars Special, and yes it was lame. The girls in the slave outfit was good but a waste of an hour before you saw them. My favorite part of the show was when Carrie Fisher came out for moral support, and while all the guest were with the contestant standing up cheering her on, Carrie just sat there on this bench, she seemed like the outcast of the group, every now and then she would get up and clap, then back to her bench. By the way I only watched the show because I was sick.

Autrach Sejanoz on 05/02/2008 2:32 am

Kitsunexus, I don't think that comment was meant to be funny, I think it was meant to signify how much Proto hated watching that episode.

Oh, and greenimp is right, the Australian version does suck, primarily because the host is an annoying dickhead.

TerrorDino (Guest) on 05/02/2008 10:20 am

I love how the american broadcasters can never come up with good gameshows, they have to steal everything from the Brits, anyone for Brucie's price is right? also deal or no deal over here in our neck of the woods is oddly compelling and the presentor is a man i grew up watching on tv. and before you think im just some brit trying to hype the show's, i'm irish, so there is'nt that much love there.

StalfrosGR on 05/02/2008 10:47 am

"Oh, and greenimp is right, the Australian version does suck, primarily because the host is an annoying dickhead."

You mean Howie isn't an annoying dickhead?

El Oh El on 05/02/2008 3:47 pm

I think carrie fisher was slightly more sloshed on the holiday special, so I guess it was worse but only just.

–Shoal– on 05/02/2008 10:24 pm

Eh, I admit I watch Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, though whoever said that the people stall for time are correct in that.

I also like to watch 1 VS 100. The only person who one the million dollars so far on the show was this nerd guy. It made me feel good somehow. Hmm...

Jaimas on 05/03/2008 9:45 pm

Actually, yes, the President was on Deal or No Deal recently. It marked their lowest-rated episode in history.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/04/24/bush-cameo-sinks-deal-or-no-deal/

corduroysmock (Guest) on 05/15/2008 9:17 pm

I thought it might have spiced things up if Darth Vader had laughed evilly after it turned out that he got the better suitcase.

My other idea of him force choking the contestant after they held out one too many times on the deal probably would have worked better, though.

Ice Crusher (Guest) on 08/06/2008 5:37 am

I can see the appeal of a game show that's educational. I think how it goes is that most of the boxes have suckass money amounts and a few have good amounts and you pick a box. And then a guy will call saying he'll buy the box for x amount of money which will probably be worth more then the amount in the box, but theres an infinitly small chance theres a big number in there and will thus be worth less then whats in the box. Its not even like Price is Right where you have to guess the price of the car to win it.

Ladies Briefcase (Guest) on 08/07/2008 12:54 am

I hate how a lot of shows are giving less questions like Millionaire and especially Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. The "Darth Vader" was the worst of it, every line of dialogue he had was pre-recorded, which led to a couple amusing moments where a contestant would say something to him and get a baffling response in return.Hah, ever since Max Burbank revealed his secret about the American Idol stuff now it looks like everyone has to confess something embarrassing.

http://www.ladiesbriefcase.co.uk/