CBS will bring "Let's Make a Deal" back to its daytime lineup in October, with Wayne Brady hosting.
The last revival I made note of was in 2003, with Billy Bush. Monty Hall, the one true host of the program, was an executive producer of that version and I interviewed him at the time. He was 81 and sounded as if he could have easily hosted the show again.
But, he said, "I did 4,700 shows over 27 years. There's more to life than Let's Make a Deal. I have my family (which includes daughter Sharon, another producer on the new [2003] Deal). I have my charities (among them diabetes research). Television comes in third, and my golf game is fourth."
For grins, here's Jimmy Buffett performing the "Deal"-inspired tune "Door Number Three." (You have to get through Don Johnson's introduction of Buffett and some remarks before the song begins.)
Look also for Steve Goodman's version. Heck, look for just about anything by Steve Goodman.
The full CBS announcement is after the jump.
LET'S MAKE A DEAL, a new take on the classic game show where audience members dress in outlandish costumes to win cash and prizes by making deals with the host, will premiere Monday, Oct. 5, (check local listings) on the CBS Television Network. Emmy Award-winner Wayne Brady will host the new one-hour daytime series produced by FremantleMedia North America ("American Idol," "The Price is Right").
The original LET'S MAKE A DEAL was a television game show staple during the 1960s and 70s when it was hosted by Monty Hall from 1963-1977. While later versions aired in syndication and primetime, the game show is best remembered for the years hosted by Hall, who will serve as a creative consultant on this latest version.
"I am honored and ready to go; it is not every day that you get to be a part of a franchise like LET’S MAKE A DEAL," said Wayne Brady. "I think it is a perfect fit."
"We are delighted to have LET'S MAKE A DEAL back on the air with CBS," said Monty Hall. "I know the audience is going to welcome the charming and engaging Wayne Brady as the new host."
"Wayne Brady is a unique talent whose extraordinary skills in both hosting and improvisation make him the perfect choice to host this legendary and engaging show. We are thrilled to be adding him and LET’S MAKE A DEAL to the number one Daytime lineup," says Barbara Bloom Senior Vice President, Daytime Programs, CBS. "We're also very lucky to have Monty Hall as our creative consultant, bringing with him a knowledge of game shows that will prove invaluable as we present this classic game show to a whole new audience."
"We’re very pleased to bring this franchise back to American audiences," says Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of FremantleMedia North America. "A global brand with a proven track record, LET’S MAKE A DEAL is a game show that delivers the kind of upbeat, unpredictable and aspirational fun viewers are looking for. With the multi-talented Wayne Brady as our host, the one and only Monty Hall at our side and a great network timeslot, we’re confident this new version will provide the entertainment value that has made this brand resonate around the world for decades."
LET'S MAKE A DEAL becomes the second game show on CBS’s top-rated Daytime lineup, joining "The Price is Right," hosted by Drew Carey, which is the #2 ranked series on Daytime television.
Wayne Brady won an Emmy Award and earned two Emmy Award nominations for the improvisational show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and went on to host his own syndicated talk/variety show "The Wayne Brady Show" for two years. He picked up Emmy Awards for Outstanding Talk Show Host and Outstanding Talk Show. Brady was last seen hosting the game show "Don’t Forget the Lyrics." He has guest starred on "The Dave Chappelle Show," "30 Rock," "Dirt" and "Everybody Hates Chris," as well as "How I Met Your Mother," on the Network. In film, Brady recently provided a voice for the upcoming animated feature, "Foodfight!" Brady also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance for his single "A Change is Gonna Come" off his debut musical album "A Long Time Coming." In 2005, he completed a run playing Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of "Chicago." He has also made a big splash in Vegas with his current hit stage show "Makin' It Up."
LET'S MAKE A DEAL is hosted by Wayne Brady. Mike Richards (“The Price is Right”) is the Executive Producer. Produced by FremantleMedia North America, the one-hour show will be broadcast weekdays (check local listings) on the CBS Television Network.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
If anybody can make Let's Make a Deal work, it's Wayne Brady. He's not only talented, he's also personable and clever. All those years doing Who's Line is it Anyway have made him comically limber.
Funny, I was just kidding around with someone yesterday about "Box Number 3" or offering $500 if she had a hard-boiled egg in her purse. That show with Monty was so addictive "back in the day."
Is this what's replacing Guiding Light?
Assuming a local station will carry it (CBS has a check local listings proviso in the announcement), this makes up for the hour lost when "GL" ends. And, as such, gives another indication of the decline of daytime soaps.