‘Deal or No Deal’: A Financial Game-Changer at Its 20-Year Premiere
It served as both the title and the iconic catchphrase: “Deal… or no deal?”
Repeatedly, host Howie Mandel asked this question to contestants on his NBC game show, which premiered on December 19, 2005, and quickly became a ratings sensation. (All five episodes during that Christmas week landed in the Top 15.) Contestants selected one out of 26 briefcases, each containing a hidden dollar amount—ranging from a penny to $1 million—and continued until the tension soared to alarming levels. A low value meant that larger sums remained in play.
“This was the most relatable, maddening, ‘engageable’ television, I think, to date,” Mandel shares with Us. “Everybody could open a case and take a chance.”
Who Was Involved
Mandel, now 70, had been contemplating leaving television to focus on stand-up when he received the call.
“I felt insulted,” he recalls. Back then, “People who performed on TV wouldn’t do commercials; those with sitcoms wouldn’t do soaps, and comedians didn’t do game shows.”
After witnessing the original Dutch series curated by reality mogul John de Mol (creator of Big Brother and The Voice), and with encouragement from his wife Terry, Mandel agreed. Behind each briefcase stood a model on edge, worried she might deliver unfavorable news.
“We cried for strangers all the time. We’d cheer for contestants as if they were family,” shares Claudia Jordan, a 52-year-old alum from Price Is Right, who held briefcase No. 1 for four seasons.
Meghan Markle notably spent a season managing case 24. (Jordan remembers her as quiet, often reading scripts instead of joining in on games like Never Have I Ever with the others.) Additionally, Chrissy Teigen briefly held case 12, acting as an accomplice to “The Banker,” the shadowy figure who would call Mandel with cash offers to persuade players to opt out. Guest Bankers included intriguing figures like Donald J. Trump and Darth Vader.
Why We Remember It
The anxiety as contestants took life-altering gambles remains unforgettable! Jessica Robinson, the first winner of $1 million, had to decline the Banker’s offer of $561,000 to achieve her goal. Louis Green turned down $333,000 and walked away with just $5. For Mandel, the initial intention to showcase his comedy evolved into a mission to help contestants make informed decisions and “leave in a better position than they came.”
Key Details
Jordan recounts a grueling 19-hour filming day. Due to the models’ need to keep their dresses wrinkle-free, they couldn’t sit down!
“I experienced back spasms, and my feet were hurting terribly,” she confides to Us. “They eventually realized it was too demanding.”
Mandel also shares an amusing Banker anecdote: “He was single, and people told me around town he’d claim he was the Banker, but nobody could recognize him. He would use a flashlight or something, showing them his silhouette.”
The Aftermath
The classic format returned with Deal or No Deal Island, hosted by Joe Manganiello, incorporating elements from Survivor. In 2025, Australian Survivor champion David Genat won season 2 and $5.8 million, the largest prize in reality TV history. However, Deal or No Deal Island did not continue for a third season.
A New Perspective
Mandel believes Deal or No Deal transformed the genre.
“The way we focused on humanity rather than mere gameplay altered how game shows were produced,” he states.
Deal also shifted how producers viewed hosts.
“From that point on, they began hiring comedians,” Mandel notes, highlighting names like Jeff Foxworthy from Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? and Steve Harvey of Family Feud.
Where Are They Now?
Mandel became a judge on America’s Got Talent in 2010, making him the longest-running judge on the show. (Acts interested in auditioning for 2026 can visit AGTAuditions.com.) He also hosts a podcast titled “Howie Mandel Does Stuff” and is set to host a primetime Canadian version of The Price Is Right. Jordan, who briefly starred in Real Housewives of Atlanta, co-hosts the podcast “Accidentally Informed” and guests on “Reality With the King.”
