You’ve got Yule-self a deal
‘Let’s Make a Deal’ launches holiday special
Most game shows only last a few seasons at best, though there exist a special few that not only survive, but go on to stand the test of time. “Let’s Make a Deal,” which first aired in 1963 and has gone on to become one such show, is releasing a holiday special on Tuesday, Dec. 22, on CBS.
Wayne Brady (“Whose Line Is It Anyway?”) has stepped into the shoes of the energetic, well-loved host, leading the cast, which includes model Tiffany Coyne (“The Price Is Right”) and Jonathan Magnum (“The Bucket List,” 2007), during the regular series. Good news for the holiday version as well: every one of them is expected to return to their usual spots in the upcoming special.
After its initial popularity in the ‘60s, the show has had an on-again, offagain relationship with a couple of different networks. But the game show’s been consistently updated every year since 2009, appealing to modern audiences. The main reason that “Let’s Make a Deal” has lasted for nearly 60 years is simple: not only is the game itself fun, but it’s fun to watch, too. Its modern twists have made it a fan favorite and a Monday night tradition for audiences everywhere.
The show was originally developed by the late Monty Hall (“That ‘70s Show”), and it would later go on to be the game show most associated with his name. Acting as the host of almost every production of “Let’s Make a Deal” from 1963 until 1986, he was still often involved with the show after his hosting days drew to an end, even occasionally appearing as a guest in his later years.
The rules of the current “Let’s Make a Deal” are as follows: contestants are chosen by Wayne Brady to barter and trade in the hopes of winning a great prize. Also a fun side bit to the show? Similar to “The Price Is Right,” audience members often dress up in weird or outlandish costumes in order to attract extra attention to themselves and hopefully increase their chances of being chosen as a contestant on the show.
Once a contestant is chosen, they’re given the chance to “make a deal” and trade with the host. Prizes
consist of both cash and merchandise (and sometimes a smaller prize might include a bonus). Occasionally, a trader will choose a fake prize called a zonk. A zonk could be just about anything from a live elephant to a paperclip and, on rare occasions, it might even be a coverup for a more valuable prize.
Aside from the main competition, there are also small games of chance that both the main contestants and members of the studio audience will have the opportunity to play.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, “Let’s Make a Deal” has had to resort to using video-conferencing software to produce its shows, but it’s not letting the pandemic put a stop to the fun. According to Deadline, the show has been back in production under strict safety protocols since Oct. 20.
Showrunner John Quinn (“The Price Is Right”) described that a hybrid production of in-person and virtual participants has been developed
to keep everyone safe. Even the set itself has been redesigned so that everyone taking part can be as safe as possible. Although the show will return to its regular schedule once things return to normal, this show in prime time is the perfect antidote to pandemic stress.
In general, audiences are loving this restored version of the classic show, and the chemistry between the show’s stars is keeping viewers coming back for more. And it’s not just the show’s fans that love watching these deals go down, “Let’s Make a Deal” has been recognized by both critics and industry awards.
Brady won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host in 2018, and the show’s director, Len Goodside (“The Ellen DeGeneres Show”), won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Directing in a Game Show in 2015. As if this weren’t enough to be proud of, the game show reboot also won the
Outstanding Original Song award for “30,000 Reasons to Love Me” in 2014 and has managed multiple Daytime Emmy Award nominations every year since 2012.
CBS, which already aired one “Let’s Make a Deal” prime-time special on Oct. 27 (and featured the show’s largest prize in its history), already has two more prime-time specials in the works, the next one being the upcoming holiday-themed special. It will be interesting to see what prizes are being offered this time around as there haven’t been any rumors about it yet.
The third special’s broadcast date has yet to be scheduled, but it will supposedly include Phil Keoghan (“The Amazing Race”) as he presents an adventure-themed trip as a top prize.
So when you’re done decking those halls, make sure you sit down to catch the “Let’s Make a Deal: Holiday Special,” airing Tuesday, Dec. 22, on CBS. Maybe you can even figure out what’s behind door No. 1.