This is probably the most brain-rotting show in primetime this season.

But I love it.

Do you remember the more thought-provoking big-cash game shows were back a few years ago? Shows like Millionaire, Weakest Link, Greed and Twenty One at least attempted quiz contestants in order to achieve the grand prize. But now in 2006, people increasingly don’t want to use their brains (i.e. me), and voila, a game show is born.

Originated from Australia, Deal or No Deal emerged on North American TV sets back in during the holiday season just for several weeks. The show then returned after the coverage of the Torino Olympic Games— since the now desperate NBC needs a real ratings booster.

A side comment: have you noticed how NBC shows kinda suck lately? Aside from maybe The Office, all the rest is a bunch of crap. Even Will and Grace is awfully tiring.

Bring back Friends!

So yes, Deal or No Deal is quite an exciting game. And watching our beloved Canadian Howie Mandel is surprisingly pleasant— except for the wya he asks the contestant “Deal or No Deal?” All of you might remember him in Bobby’s World as himself both in animation and in his real form superimposed in an animation. Anyways, I don’t know if it’s because there is some really soft lighting in that Deal or No Deal studio, but this guy seems to look better and better as he ages.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s hot. I think he’s hot like Martha Stewart is hot. Hmm, am I digging myself into a deeper hole?

Anyways, he can pull off a bald head, and he’s got that trendy soul patch thing going on. But of course, if Howie doesn’t suit your fancy, there are also 27 models for your pickin’s (Howie actually announces each models’ names).

So now go forth, and least try to watch one episode. I’ll be hooked— or maybe not, maybe it’s just me and my retardedness.

Deal or No Deal airs on NBC (simulcast on CH), weeknights at 8 pm.

Deal or No Deal - [wikipedia.org]
Deal or No Deal - [nbc.com]
Howie Mandel - [wikipedia.org]