Let's Make A Deal

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Let's Make a Deal is a television game show aired in the United States. The original and most widely known version aired from 1963 to 1977. Other short lived versions aired in 1980, 1984, 1990 and 2003. The show's attraction was its deals - audience members were challenged to maximize their winnings by matching wits against the host, usually Monty Hall, who also co-produced the show from the '60s through the '80s with his partner, Stefan Hatos.

Contents

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:

Giant shoes or other articles of clothing
A garbage can or washtub for each day of the week
An enormous amount of some food item (1 ton of watermelons, 500 pounds of bananas/cabbage/lettuce/etc.)
A room of junky, worn furniture; broken, rusting 19th-century appliances, etc.
Every type of live animal imaginable (they were rented from local zoos or farms)
Junk antique automobiles (usually rusted out shells with steaming radiators, flat tires, broken windshields, etc.) Occasionally (especially starting with the "All New" version), these would be sawn in half.
Large stuffed animals
Giant toys or baby furniture (high chairs, red wagons, rocking horses, etc.); these usually featured the models and/or announcers dressed as babies and/or their mothers.
Other giant objects, including a hot water bottle, a donut, a cupcake, and a paper airplane
Hideously decorated household items (sequin and/or fur-covered garbage cans, wildly painted and sequined rocking chairs labeled "punk rockers", etc.)

The goal, of course, for contestants was to increase their winnings by making the right choices as given by Monty Hall. Contestants legally won the zonks; however, after the taping of the show, any trader who had been zonked would be offered a consolation prize instead of having to take home the actual zonk. In fact, a disclaimer at the end of the credits of later 1970s episodes read "Some traders accept reasonable duplicates of zonk prizes."

Other deals

Other typical deals included the following:

Two traders (or couples) competed against each other to price a series of four grocery items or small prizes. The first contestant gave a price, and the opponent gave one; the one who was closer got a cash prize (e.g., $100). Each succeeding item is worth more (e.g., $200, $300 and $400), with the players alternating turns going first. The first trader (or team) to collect a pre-set amount (usually $700) won a grand prize, such as a car or a trip (and got to keep any leftover money). The losing contestant was offered a regular take-it-or-leave-it deal in exchange for any cash accumulated; the consolation deal was also played for both teams if both obtained less than the required amount.
Keys which unlocked anything from boxes (containing money, trip tickets, etc.) to cars, usually from a choice of three. Hall always offered cash or a curtain/box as options. Variant: A couple chooses one key from a choice of three, with a car offered as the grand prize (and a sure-thing buyout offered once Monty demonstrated one of the "dud" keys).
Deciding whether an announced prize was real or fake and choosing a cash amount or the box/curtain as a substitute.
Choosing an envelope, purse, wallet, etc., which concealed dollar bills. One of them concealed a pre-announced dollar bill (usually $1 or $5), which awarded a car or trip. The other envelopes contained a consolation gift of $500, $1000 and $1500. The player had to decide whether to keep his/her choice or trade.
Choosing four of seven envelopes, each containing $1 and $2 bills, whose contents they hoped added up to at least $7 for a grand prize.
Monty's Cash Register, wherein a couple had to punch keys on a 15-key register. Exactly 13 of the buttons hid amounts of either $50 or $100, and getting to a stated amount (usually $500-$1000) won a grand prize. The couple could stop at any time and keep what they have (always then being tempted with a follow-up keep-or-trade deal) but hitting "no sale" at any time ended the game; one twist would involve the two "no sale" buttons; if the unlucky button were struck on the first try, hitting the second "no sale" button the very next time also won the grand prize. Otherwise, Monty allowed the couple to take home whatever dollar amount they hit with the next key punch.
Three unrelated traders act as a team on deals. Sometimes, only one was allowed to speak for the team without consultation of the others; other times, a "majority rules" format was used. Usually after a series of deals, Hall broke up the team and could individually decide on one or more options on a final deal.
Beat the Dealer: three contestants would choose envelopes to start the game; two of them contained $500 cash, the other $50. The two dealers who chose the $500 continued on to try to win a middling prize by picking the higher-suited card out of nine off a game board. The one who won could then risk the prize and the cash by picking two more cards - one for themself and one for Monty. If the player picked the higher card for themself, they added a new car (or another big prize); otherwise, they lost everything.
At the start of the show, a contestant given a large grocery item (e.g., a box of candy bars), always containing a cash amount. Throughout the show, he/she is given several chances to trade the box and/or give it to another trader, in exchange for the box or curtain. Only after the Big Deal of the Day was awarded (or if the last trader with said item elects to go for the Big Deal) was the cash amount or prize given. Variant: A "claim check" given to a trader at the start of the show for any prize shown during the regular deals and chances to trade throughout the episode. The prize ranged from cash and cars to zonks. The "claim check" was sometimes played as the very last regular deal, however, with one sure deal offered in lieu of its contents.

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:

Arranging small prizes (usually $5-50) by dollar value.
Choosing which item was a pre-announced price (e.g., 55 cents), or added up to a certain amount (e.g., $1).
Recalling which grocery items were concealed beneath the letters of a car model (e.g., P-O-N-T-I-A-C) or trip destination (G-E-R-M-A-N-Y).

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:

A Cadillac Eldorado convertible.
A modular lodge.
A mink or sable fur coat.
Recreational vehicles – everything from pickup trucks with camper shells, to 25-foot Fleetwoods and Winnebagos.
A first-class vacation to Europe.

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 December 30, 1963 to September 11, 1977. It was broadcast on NBC until December 27, 1968 and switched to ABC (in the same time slot, 1:30 p.m. Eastern/12:30 p.m. Central) on the following Monday on December 30, 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.

One of the Big Deal music cues was a 70's tune called Sexy, recorded by MFSB (Mother Father Sister Brother), famous for TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) aka Soul Train theme.

1984-1986 syndicated

A modestly successful remake, called The All New Let's Make a Deal, debuted in 1984, three years after the last version folded. This version was taped at the NBC Studios in Burbank (returning to where it all started), and was distributed by Telepictures. Although it began with a 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 $6,000 to $8,000 in season 1, and from $8,000 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 offered a prize in exchange for a mystery cash amount ranging from $1 to $5,000. Later, the contestant could keep $1,000 or risk it by spinning a carnival wheel, where he could win $2,000 (by landing on a space marked DOUBLE), $3,000 (landing on TRIPLE), $4,000, a new car ... or win less ($100, $200 or perhaps even a zonk). The zonk was a T-shirt that read "I was ZONKED by Monty Hall". If the contestant kept the money, Monty would let the player spin the wheel just for fun to see what was passed up.

The 1986 finale featured cameo appearances by Carol Merrill and Jay Stewart. Reruns continued for several years on cable.

Geoff Edwards, who hosted The New Treasure Hunt, substituted for Monty Hall for one week while Hall was out with laryngitis.

Three Stooges supporting actor Emil Sitka was a contestant on this version. Dressed as Uncle Sam, Sitka won $500 (passing up a Zonk) in a quick money-or-curtain deal.

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, citing such skits as a deal in the premiere where a contestant had to reach beneath a skirt to retrieve items related to the deal. Meanwhile, younger viewers (for whom the changes were purportedly meant to court) never gave the show a chance. In addition, the show was placed against FOX powerhouse American Idol, while critics also panned Bush's hosting abilities.

Five hour-long episodes were shot, but only three aired before NBC pulled the plug; the other two have never aired.

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 (literally "Deal Made"), 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 ( In 2006, Let's Make A Deal was the second of seven game shows that were used in the RTL Group and ITV joint production Gameshow Marathon aired on CBS. The series was hosted by Ricki Lake and used celebrities as contestants. Ironically, The Price Is Right, which is considered a 'rival' to LMAD by some of its fans, was also among the seven shows used in this series.

1996 FOX Revival

''Main article: 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 was produced with Hall's approval (although he was not involved in the production and was reported not to be happy with the results), added elements of Truth or Consequences to the gameplay and was hosted by Mark DeCarlo. Originally scheduled as a placeholder for L.A. Firefighters, the show ran for six weeks in September and October of 1996 on Sunday evenings.

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, Grady & Bubba appeared on a show called Wheel and Deal, hosted by Harry Monty (John Barbour).

On the cartoon, Wacky & Packy, they appear on a parody called Let's Make A Bundle with host Monty Tall.

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.
Ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was a model on a Turkish version of the show.
An Indonesian Version of Let's Make a Deal debuted on the Antv network April 2006, as Superdeal 2 Milyar (The 2 Billion Rupiah Superdeal).

DVD Releases

In the late summer of 2006, a new DVD Let's Make a Deal game which along with a playable game features classic clips from the Monty Hall years of the show, will be released. [link]

External links

[Official website]
[Let's Make A Deal] at TV Tome

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