A “Deal or No Deal” exec is disagreeing with Meghan Markle’s blunt assessment of the show.
Lucas Green – who is the chief content officer for Banijay, the company that is relaunching the popular game show around the world – disputed the “Suits” alum’s criticism of the show for reducing her to a “bimbo.”
When asked by PvNew if he agreed with that assessment, Green succinctly said, “No,” but did note that the show is changing.
“We are constantly evolving the format so that it isn’t the same show it was 15+ years ago,” he added.
”A lot of work goes into modernising our formats to ensure they represent our values as a company and wider society.”
Green noted that the UK version of the show always used members of the public to open the boxes – instead of scantily-clad young women – and will continue to do so.
As previously reported, the Duchess of Sussex, 41, made headlines last year when she criticized the show for making her feel that she was being “reduced to a bimbo.”
“I ended up quitting the show. I was so much more than what was being objectified on the stage,” she shared on an episode of her podcast, “Archetypes.”
“I didn’t like feeling forced to be all looks and little substance, and that’s how it felt for me at the time; being reduced to this specific archetype: the word ‘bimbo,’” Markle said while chatting to Paris Hilton.
“It was solely about beauty and not necessarily about brains,” Markle recalled.
“I was grateful for the job, but not about how it made me feel, which was not smart. By the way, I was surrounded by smart women … but that wasn’t the focus.”
Her comments came under fire from former colleagues. However, former “briefcase girl” Claudia Jordan defended the format.
“For clarity — yes getting a MODELING GIG on a game show isn’t necessarily about your intellect,” the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” alum said on her Instagram Stories.
“BUT every show the executive producers picked 5 models with the most outgoing and fun personalities to place mics on who they KNEW would engage with the contestants.”
Jordan claimed the show “NEVER” treated any of the girls like bimbos.
“We got so many opportunities because of that show, Fremantle and @nbc. That’s the kind of opportunity that IS what you make it,” she added. “If you just show up and don’t engage — then you’ll check and not get much out of it — but if you show up and seize your moments … then there’s no limits to what you can do with the opportunity.”
The show’s former wardrobe stylist, Dina Cerchione, also clapped back.
“To know me is to know I love my work. It’s been a rough week watching a show I love SO much be criticized,” Cerchione wrote via Instagram in October 2022. “I had the privilege to design the looks for Deal or No Deal, for all of the women and, of course, @howiemandel.”
Even Whoopi Goldberg criticized Markle’s comments on “The View,” arguing, “When you’re a performer, you take the gig.”
“You take the gig. Sometimes, you’re in a Bozo suit, sometimes you got a big nose, and this is just the way it is,” she continued.
“We’re not journalists. We’re actors. We’re trying to get to another place.”
