There’s one identify synonymous with Deal or No Deal — Howie Mandel. However, will the sport present’s host seem because the frontman for Deal or No Deal Island?
Mandel stood alongside contestants for practically 15 years as they vied for big money prizes hidden in briefcases. He signed onto the sequence as an government producer close to the tip of its run and continued to be the face of the NBC product till 2019 when the sequence wrapped up.
Nicely, NBC is resurrecting the property after 5 years, nevertheless it’s getting an entire overhaul. As an alternative of gamers standing on a stage with a bevy of briefcase fashions holding doubtlessly life-changing cash, a crop of contestants will battle it out on the “Banker’s non-public island” in Deal or No Deal Island, which is slated to premiere on the community and Peacock on Monday, Feb. 26 at 9:30 ET/6:30 PT. By way of challenges and nail-biting decision-making, the gamers will compete for a prize pool value as much as $200,000.
If actuality competitors followers caught the trailer, they probably observed immediately that Mandel was nowhere in sight. Sadly for the Deal or No Deal superfans, Mandel remained behind the scenes as an government producer, in response to a launch from NBC. As an alternative, actor Joe Manganiello hopped onto the franchise’s internet hosting saddle.
“The position of Deal or No Deal host has at all times been held by somebody charming, hilarious, and devastatingly good-looking,” Corie Henson, NBCUniversal Leisure’s government vp of unscripted content material said. “After we took the present out of the studio and transported the sport to the Banker’s island, Joe was the apparent selection. He loves every kind of video games, lives for journey, and isn’t afraid to stare down a snake or two to assist gamers win a life-changing payday and, hopefully, beat the Banker at his personal recreation.”
Mandel addressed the internet hosting change in a promo video for Deal or No Deal Island. The well-known germaphobe made a joke relating to his phobia saying there was no means he’d join the country island life. “I don’t even shake palms,” Mandel stated. “There’ll be like bugs and snakes — I can’t go. I can’t do it. I can’t host it.”
Mandel then rolled out the pink carpet for Manganiello, who’s finest recognized for enjoying Alcide Herveaux in True Blood, in addition to for his previous marriage to Colombian-American actress Sofia Vergara. As an alternative of passing a figurative torch, Mandel handed him a literal briefcase. You may watch the skit beneath:
It’s unclear if Deal or No Deal correct will return, and if Mandel will ever seem on the franchise that launched him into stardom. However, for those who’re jonesing to listen to from Mandel, he’s nonetheless a bunch on America’s Acquired Expertise, and he has his comedy podcast — Howie Mandel Does Stuff.