Imagine “Deal or No Deal” is set on an exotic island, where the thirteen participants face extreme challenges, test their limits and literally crawl through the mud. Except you don’t have to, it’s already here.
“What if the banker had a private island and decided to put the contestants through an extreme game to find one winner? I think the craziness of the idea is what we and NBC came together around,” says Sharon Levy, CEO of Endemol Shine North America.
Levy also produces “Deal or No Deal Island” alongside Matt Kunitz, Matt Apps, Sarah Happel Jackson, Howie Mandel, DJ Nurre and Sean Loughlin.
“You say the title and people are like: ‘Is this real?’ Our favorite comments on social media were about whether this was a 30 Rock playground. “I take that as the highest and best compliment,” she added, referring to the sitcom created by Tina Fey.
“I’m a firm believer that not everything deserves a reboot, but I love taking a classic IP and reimagining it for today’s audiences. NBC got the idea right away, and they really supported the boldness of the concept.”
The classic game show, now reimagined as a completely different adventure, will see contestants compete for $200 million. They’ll have to work for it, though.
“It was essential for us to keep the DNA of the original Deal or No Deal at its core, testing who is willing to gamble and bluff and who is in the group versus themselves,” Levy says.
“The banker is looking for his most worthy opponent in the history of the ‘deal’ and these trips should showcase what our guests are made of.”
Deal or no deal island
Credit: Monty Brinton/NBC
Now, special bags are hidden all over the island. In each episode, players compete to secure it and use it in a game of “Deal or No Deal” that night. The player who intercepts the case with the highest value gains immunity and gets to choose a competitor to enter the “Temple”. If that person makes a bad deal – accepting an offer that is less valuable than in their chosen state – they will be eliminated.
At the end of the season, the last player standing will face off against the banker for the biggest prize in Deal or No Deal history.
Levy points out that adding a level of “real strategy and higher stakes” to the original format results in a “completely modern” experience.
“Any time you can use IP that your audience knows and feels some nostalgia for, you’re already ahead of the game. But you have to add more, add that twist that no one expected, that keeps them coming back once the nostalgia wears off.”
“We want to take that experience you remember and make it bigger. Make it something that demands your attention again. What’s great is that Banijay has a vast library of intellectual property to mine and reimagine, and as we breathe new life into the intellectual property, Banijay is in a position to travel with the new format.” across the world!”
It’s all overseen by Joe Manganiello, star of “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” who now acts as an intermediary between Banker and the contestants.
“Joe is perfect. He’s a huge, real, unscripted fan who loves the story and the drama and the human side (of it). He really connects with people on a human level, from everyone in the cast to the crew,” she says.
“When we first met Joe, we were amazed by his quick mind, wit and genuine brilliance. He is also a true adventure traveler. If I were the banker, I would hire him as my liaison. Of course, no one can pull off high-end suits with various animal prints like Joe.
His four-legged companion made the decision easier.
“Bubbles, his dog, basically sealed the deal. Bubbles is our mascot and the island’s guardian.”
However, despite its distinguished host, the participants should not be underestimated either. Including former “Survivor” champion Boston Rob.
“The casting on this show is fantastic and unusual for reality competitions. They’re not here to be famous. They’re here for real personal reasons that feel connected to and similar to the original show,” Levy says.
“You’re rooting for them and you want them to win this life-changing money while keeping their dignity intact, the relationships they’ve formed and the competitive spirit. It’s all there, and that was the biggest surprise.”