Imagine “Deal or No Deal” set on an exotic island, with its 13 participants facing extreme challenges, testing their limits and literally crawling through mud. Except you don’t have to – it’s already here.
“What if the Banker had a private island and decided to put his contestants through an extreme game to find one winner? The craziness of the idea is, I think, what we and NBC rallied around,” says Sharon Levy, CEO at Endemol Shine North America.
Levy also executive 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 that for real?’ Our favorite comments on social media have been about whether this is a ‘30 Rock’ pitch. I take that as the highest, and best, compliment,” she adds, referencing the sitcom created by Tina Fey.
“I am a firm believer that not everything deserves a reboot, but I like taking classic IP and reimagining it for today’s audiences. NBC got the idea immediately – they truly got behind the audacity of the concept.”
The classic game show, now reimagined as a whole different adventure, will see contestants battle it out for $200 million. They will have to work for it, though.
“It was vital for us to keep the DNA of the original ‘Deal or No Deal’ at the core, testing who is willing to gamble, bluff and who is in it for the group vs. themselves,” notes Levy.
“The Banker is looking for his most worthy adversary in ‘Deal’ history and these excursions have to showcase what our guests are made of.”
Now, the iconic briefcases are hidden around the island. In each episode, players compete to secure them and use them in that night’s game of “Deal or No Deal.”The player who snags the highest-value case gains immunity and gets to choose a competitor to enter “The Temple.” If that person makes a bad deal – accepting an offer that is of a lesser value than what is in their chosen case – they are eliminated.
At the end of the season, the last player standing will face the Banker to potentially win the biggest prize in “Deal or No Deal” history.
Adding a level of “real strategy and higher stakes” to the original format makes for a “thoroughly modern” experience, observes Levy.
“Any time you can go in with IP your audience is familiar with and carries some nostalgia for, you’re already ahead of the game. But you have to add more, add that twist no one saw coming that keeps them coming back once the nostalgia wears off,” she says.
“We want to take that experience you remember and make it bigger. Make it into something that demands your attention all over again. What’s great is that Banijay possesses a vast library of IP to mine and reimagine, and when we bring new life to IP, Banijay is positioned to travel the new format across the world!”
Overseeing it all is Joe Manganiello, star of “True Blood” and “Magic Mike,” now serving as an intermediary between the Banker and the contestants.
“Joe is perfect. He is a HUGE, true, non-scripted fan who loves the story, the drama and the human aspect [of it]. He truly connects with people on a human level, from everyone on staff to the cast,” she says.
“When we first met Joe, we were blown away by how quick, witty, and genuinely brilliant his mind was. He’s also a true adventure world traveler. If I were the Banker, I would hire him as my liaison. And, of course, no one can rock varied animal print high-end suits like Joe.”
His four-legged companion made the decision even easier.
“Bubbles, his dog, basically sealed the deal. Bubbles is our mascot and the island’s guardian.”
Still, despite its recognisable host, the participants are not to be underestimated either. Including former “Survivor” champion Boston Rob.
“The casting on this show is sublime and atypical in reality competitions. They are not here to be famous. They are here for real personal reasons that feel relatable and akin to the original show,” says Levy.
“You root for them and want them to win this life-changing money while keeping their dignity intact, the relationships they formed and the competitive spirit. It’s all there, and that was the greatest surprise.”
