Let's Make a Deal

As someone who loved the many versions of the Monty Hall-helmed "Let's Make A Deal", I was happy to hear about this revival a year ago. While it's not perfect, it's still way better than any other game show on T.V.

I've been a big fan of Wayne Brady for years; I've seen his stage show here in Ottawa. As one of the best improv comics around, he's able to use his myriad talents to fit into any situation his contestants place him in. I know that some purists prefer Monty's no-nonsense car salesman style but what can you do?

Wayne's good friend Jonathan Mangum is the announcer and the two share tremendous chemistry, which helps keep the show entertaining. They have worked together in Las Vegas for several years and put that to good use.

I was never a fan of Alison Fiori as the original door girl; Tiffany Coyne is a huge improvement here. She reminds me of Carol Merrill, the woman who had the same duties when Monty hosted. She's cool.

I especially like watching a game show during The Great Depression 2 and seeing what decisions people are making in regards to deals. It adds something to the show, that honest and unflinching reality we live in.

The only problem I have with Let's Make A Deal is that I'd prefer Wayne to just pick people quickly like Monty did. I don't know why he needs to go all 80's and have music playing while he chooses somebody.

Still, the show is great fun and Monty Hall has a hand in it so it's true to its source. I like some of the games they play and the contestants' crazy antics fit well since they are costumed. I'm glad to see a new season of shows are being aired and I will be enjoying this until May.

I do hope they get to return to Las Vegas, though. It seems to be more Vegas than Los Angeles in regards to atmosphere.

I wonder if Lets Make A Deal is in a money crunch since there are less prizes given away, more zonks, and silly skits. Time for a new host and reboot

I used to enjoy "Let's Make a Deal" whenever I had the chance to watch it. Now with host Wayne Brady, it's more like a forum for Mr. Brady to sing, dance & use so much time performing instead of the reason he's hosting - to make deals with people. I find it really annoying that he spends all this time on the show using it to perform. That's not why he's there.

If you like the show then don't start paying attention to just how little they tend to give away in each episode. And definitely don't read about how Wayne Brady doesn't interact with the audience at all while they setup the next prize. He apparently disappears into the back each time. I've watched more episodes than I can count of Who's Line but he just doesn't seem to be genuinely happy to be there.

They also seem to kill a lot of time with skits. The only time they are entertaining is when something goes wrong and Johnathan improvises. When things go a bit sideways and they get goofy it is fun but the rest of the time I get the feeling that some of them would rather be elsewhere.

Otherwise the skits tend to be long and just seem to kill time so that they can give away fewer prizes. You end up with a 5 minute chunk where they do a play about what is behind the curtain and most times they basically tell you exactly what it is but then throw in "or it could be a zonk version of that"

I'd like to see more normal reactions out of the contestants. Every single one of them just repeats "that's okay, that's okay" with a huge smile when it turns out they made the wrong choice.

Hand picking just the people that will pretend to be the most excited takes the variety and fun out of it. "Yay! I traded in my $8,000 prize and ended up with wake boards. Yay!"

With this game show having been on the air altogether for 4 decades so far, it felt like it needed to come back in a whole new era! Enter the current CBS daytime revival in 2009, with a new look, a new set, new people, among other things. This is my all-time favorite game show Wayne Brady is the host of this version and does an amazing job in his hosting style, not imitating the late Monty Hall, interjecting his own humor from his Whose Line years, having great rapport with the contestants, and genuinely care for them whether they win or zonk out.

Alongside Wayne is the announcer/sidekick Jonathan Mangum, who shows great chemistry and comedic timing with Wayne, the show's model, the beautiful Tiffany Coyne and music provided from Cat Gray.

So if you're ready to make a deal again, then enjoy this current revival of LMAD!