Following hot on the heels of Temptation South Africa, Deal or No Deal, is a game show with one contestant, one host, a banker and 26 suitcases, each containing a different amount of money between 1c and R1 million.
The money suitcases are brought on set and opened by a bevy of models. To start the game, the contestant must pick a suitcase in which he or she hopes to reveal the million bucks - a one in 26 chance. This suitcase is potentially the contestant's prize, i.e., what they can take home - if, of course, they do not take the banker's deal.
When the chips are down, it's all about making the right decision and deciding how much you can risk. Can the contestant call the banker's bluff? Can he or she keep their cool and sail through the rounds? Will the contestant dissolve into a heap of nerves and strike a deal? There's always a chance that they'll play on and end up with nothing.
Carl Fischer, head of M-Net Original Productions, says that there is a clear demand for quality gameshows on South African television. "Before Temptation, we hadn't produced a gameshow since 2000's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? It was a case of finding a compelling format which has all the elements - drama, fun, humour and entertainment, and we believe that we've found that in Deal or No Deal," he says.
The show is produced in over 50 countries around the world. Wherever the show has aired, from Thailand to Russia, Australia, Mexico, Brazil, pan-Arabia and Hong Kong, it has taken primetime by storm, according to M-Net.
In the US, Deal or No Deal has been consistently placed in the top 10 most popular shows on television. In the UK, viewership has made it the most-watched daytime TV show in television history. And in each country where it is produced, the style and presentation are unique but the core idea is the same: one contestant in a high-thrills face-off with 26 mystery suitcases - in a bid to win a million bucks.
Deal or No Deal is sponsored by Virgin Money. Enter online at www.mnet.co.za/dealornodeal.
