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PREMISE Each episode of ''Let's Make a Deal'' began with the host (again, usually Monty Hall) choosing a studio audience member at random to play a game against him. Although the specifics of the games varied, the usual pattern was that the audience member was given a small amount of cash or prizes, or ''promise'' of cash or prizes. The choice posed to the audience member was to keep a relatively safe bet, or to risk for the potential of a larger or different prize or cash award. Choices could be hidden onstage behind one of three curtains; behind several large boxes which were occasionally wheeled in; or even on smaller table-top boxes or inside other items brought down by the show's announcer and Monty's frequent sidekick/assistant/co-conspirator, Jay Stewart . Initially, studio audience members came in their Sunday best - suits and ties and dresses. Shortly into the show's run, a single audience member carried a sign to try to get Monty's attention, and he picked her. That led to more signs, costumes, hollering...anything an audience member could think of to become the lucky person Monty picked next. The free-for-all with the audience became a hallmark of the show. FORMAT The show opens with a series of deals between Monty and contestants he picks. A classic example: Monty Hall picks a studio audience member at random to become a contestant. He gives him a plastic egg. Monty: "You have a plastic egg that may have a thousand dollar bill hidden in it, or it may have a lot less. You can either keep that, or trade it for what's behind the large box on the display floor." (In early versions, "that (model) Carol Merrill is showing us" would also be added.) Now the contestant is forced to make a difficult choice: keep the egg he's been given in the hope that a thousand dollars is contained within, or pick the box and its contents instead. ''Either'' may have a prize of value – the egg could contain $1,000, or the box might reveal a prize (e.g., a refrigerator/freezer and a gas range). However, either location may also contain something worthless, called a zonk on the show. Zonks became as outrageous as the audience:
The goal, of course, for contestants was to increase their winnings by making the right choices as given by Monty Hall. Other deals Other typical deals included the following:
Skill-based games Several games, however, were skill games testing a contestant's consumer knowledge or memory (a la '' The Price Is Right ''). Games of this nature included:
Several times during the game, Monty would offer a "sure-thing" prize to call off the deal. Even if the contestant failed, Hall offered a consolation prize (usually, the small items and/or $50). BIG DEAL OF THE DAY The top two winners in each show were eligible to either keep their winnings or give up everything already won for a spot in the Big Deal of the Day. If one or both of the top winners declined to give up their winnings (usually because they won a car or large amount of cash), Monty would go down the list of winners - highest to lowest - until he had two traders. (Very rarely, even a player who had been zonked could find themselves given a chance at the Big Deal.) In the Big Deal of the Day, the two contestants were allowed to make a simple choice between three doors. The day's top winner had first choice. One door hid the day's Big Deal, which often had the day's most expensive prize (a luxury or sports car, a trip, furniture/appliances, a fur, cash ... or more often than not, a combination of two or more of said items). Zonks were never included in these deals, although the contestant always risked winding up with far less than their original deal (e.g., a $1200 living room set for $200 worth of small kitchen appliances). During the classic era (1963-1977), the daytime Big Deal of the Day was typically worth $2000-$5000; the nighttime and Syndicated show's ''Big Deals'' were worth $8000 to $15,000 or more, with cars often being part of the runner-up door. Some of the more notable Big Deals included:
During the 1975-1976 syndicated season, a new Super Deal was offered for "Big Deal" winners. The contestant could risk his Big Deal winnings on a 1-in-3 shot at adding a $20,000 cash prize. The other two doors caused the player to lose the "Big Deal," but he/she took home a $1000 or $2000 consolation prize. Later, the consolation prize was changed to $2000 and a mystery amount ($1000 to $9000). The Super Deal was discontinued when the show permanently moved to Las Vegas for the final season (1976-1977). By that time, the "Big Deal" ranged from $10,000-15,000. VERSIONS OF THE SHOW 1963-1977 version The classic version of ''Let's Make a Deal'' aired from , 1968 (incidentally, the show's 5th birthday) and where it aired until July 9 , 1976 . A prime-time version aired on NBC-TV from May 21 to September 3 , 1967 and on ABC-TV from February 7 , 1969 to August 30 , 1971 . The classic Syndicated version aired from 1971 to 1977 . After the network version was canceled in 1976 , the show moved for its final syndicated season to Las Vegas , where it took place inside the Las Vegas Hilton 's showroom. Several game shows during the 1970s and 1980s shot on location there. 1980-1981 syndicated A short-lived remake based in Vancouver BC, aired during the 1980-1981 season. It is rumored that this version did not air in many parts of the US, so It has been rarely seen. It's known for having a cheap budget as big deals were only worth around $5000. Its co-producer, Catalena Productions (which also produced '' Pitfall ''), also had financial trouble, which might have contributed to the low Big Deal value and its short life. Though in Canada, it was seen on some stations during most of the 1980s, as a cheap source of Cancon . 1984-1986 syndicated A modestly successful remake, called The All New Let's Make a Deal, surfaced in 1984, three years after the last version folded, this time from NBC Studios in Burbank. It was distributed by Telepictures . Although it began with a terribly small budget, it managed to widen its audience and budget as the series went on. Hall was joined on this version by announcers Brian Cummings (season 1) and Dean Goss (season 2). Big Deals ranged from $6000 to $8000 in season 1 to $8000 to $11,000 in season 2. This version was most famous for a new feature called "Door 4." Played every few days (and announced with siren and quick-zoom fanfare), a contestant was chosen at random and given a $1000 check. The contest could keep the money or risk it by spinning a carnival wheel, where he could win $2000 (by landing on a space marked DOUBLE), $3000 (landing on a '''TRIPLE'''), $4000, a new car ... or win less ($100, $200 or perhaps even a '''zonk'''). The 1986 finale featured cameo appearances by Carol Merrill and Jay Stewart. Reruns continued for several years on cable. 1990-1991 NBC daytime In 1990, NBC tried a revival of the show starring Bob Hilton , but the show flopped. Monty Hall was brought back midway through the run to try to boost the ratings, but it was too late. Big deals now could potentially be worth up to $20,000. This version originated from the Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando FL, and was co-produced by Dick Clark and Ron Greenberg . 2003 NBC primetime In 2003, another revival of ''Let's Make a Deal'' was tried, this time starring Billy Bush , with announcer Vance DeGeneres , in prime time. It was not a success on any front; some longtime fans of the format complained about the new show's raunchier tone, while the younger viewers the changes were meant to court never gave the show a chance; in addition, the show was placed against FOX powerhouse American Idol . Five hour-long episodes were shot, but only three aired before NBC pulled the plug. Executive producer Monty Hall (who was joined by daughter Sharon) returned for a deal in the final airing. Hall's deal also brought back a contestant from the '70s version who had incredibly passed up ''three'' separate cars during a single deal. ''Big Deals'' were now worth $50,000 or more. 2005 Univisión On January 10 , 2005 , a Spanish version of ''Let's Make A Deal'', titled '' Trato Hecho '' ("Treatment Done", in its original Spanish translation), premiered on Univisión , a Spanish television network in the United States. The term used for "zonk" on this show was ''chasco'', which is the Spanish word for "disappointment". This version originated from the Raleigh Studios in Hollywood. Guillermo Huesca served as the host. Big Deals were worth around $3,000-5,000 on the regular show and around $26,000 during the primetime specials. The show was cancelled after an eleven-month run. 2006 ( Gameshow Marathon (US)) In 2006 ''Let's Make A Deal'' will be among the seven game shows that will be used in the upcoming RTL Group and ITV joint production '' Gameshow Marathon '' to air on CBS . The series will be hosted by Ricki Lake and will use celebrities as contestants. Ironically, '' The Price Is Right '', which is considered a 'rival' to ''LMAD'' by some of its fans, is also among the seven shows used in this series. FOX'S "BIG DEAL" '' Big Deal '' was FOX 's attempt at a spinoff of ''Let's Make a Deal'' in the fall of 1996 . This version, which had no official connection to ''LMAD'', added elements of Truth Or Consequences to the gameplay and was hosted by Mark DeCarlo. For more information on this show, click Here . PARODIES A spoof of the show appeared at the beginning of the '' Flintstones '' animated film '' The Flintstones Meet Rockula And Frankenstone '' ( 1979 ), entitled ''Make a Deal or Don't''. The game-show's host was called Monty Marble. The way in which 'Marble' was pronounced gave emphasis to the end of the word, making it sound like 'marb-hall'. Another spoof appeared on the Situation Comedy '' Sanford And Son '', when Fred Sanford appeared on a show called ''Wheel and Deal''. ''Let's Make A Deal'' was parodied by Cheech And Chong in their ''Let's Make A Dope Deal'' comedy routine. In the 1995 computer game "The 11th Hour: The Sequel to the 7th Guest", the show was parodied in the ending sequence, where choosing a door also chose the game's ending. The name was changed to "Let's Make a Real Deal." The host was "Monty Stauf", mixing the names of the original host and game character. INTERNATIONAL RTL Group holds international rights to the show, and has licenced the show to 14 countries. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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