Will Drew Carey Make the Supermodels Scream 'Deal'?

I remembered how excited I was (*and not to mention adrenalized) when I had watched my first taping of NBC's 'Deal Or No Deal'. Howie Mandel, with his usual charm, had me hooked from the first minute that he went on stage. I was not sure what to expect at first, but after I saw all of the gorgeous ladies that were going to help him hand all of this money out to some random soul, I knew that this was definitely going to be good. After watching the first time, I decided to make it a regiment in my weekly routine, which had lasted about three weeks. But, I suddenly found myself asking a question after watching this show several times: Why am I not excited anymore? I had found that after watching several times and getting used to all of the action going on, I found that the show was not quite as stirring to me anymore. It was very much like I was watching 'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' rather than the Number 1 top-rated game show in the country. Soon, I found myself wanting again, and I had ended up watching repeats of 'CSI' just to get through the night instead.

But now, just a few short weeks ago, I had seen a promotion for a new show that was called 'The Power Of Ten', which was going to be hosted by some guy named Drew Carey. Thinking that it was just another rip-off of the popular show that NBC had kept at the top of the charts for quite a while, I didn't think anything of it at first. But, when I actually caught the show the second night that it was on, it seems that I had judged the show a little prematurely as I sat and watched as the host brought two people forward to see who would be playing for the big jackpot of cash. But, when I first heard that, I thought that maybe perhaps it would be very much like Howie's show, where the player had a chance at a million. When I found that it was not for one million, but for ten, that alone made me stand up and take notice as I continued to become completely engrossed, and I was soon finding that I was getting a new game-show favorite.

Game shows, as a whole, have never had very long life spans, except for the few exceptions to the rule (*ie 'Wheel of Fortune', 'Jeopardy!', and 'The Price Is Right'). While game shows have been around for what seems like decades, the following that they receive is often mixed, and the idea of the primetime game show has just now only seemed to be making itself a fixture in the primetime line-ups. But, as the years have passed us by, television networks are always hard at work trying to figure out the 'next big thing' that will be created and born in order to have another hit show. Now that Bob Barker has retired, network producers are scrambling now to find something, that one thing that will help put their station over the top of their competitors.

Now, with it in mind that these two new powerhouse shows are vieing for the coveted 'Primetime Game Show' title, let us look at what each has to offer. First, let us look at 'Deal Or No Deal'. To start, they have Howie Mandel, a very well-established comedian and actor as a host, and almost everyone recognizes him. Next, you have the supermodels, always dressed in an elegant gown, walking up and down the steps of the stage as if they were just fresh off of a Parisian catwalk. Then, you also have the random silver cases that each model is carrying, all hand-picked before the show by anonymous hands and then placed on the stage platforms where the player has to pick one and hope that they have the million. It could be the million, and then it could also be ten bucks and you walk away with not even enough cab fare to get back to the airport. You also have the suspense, as you are biting your nails hoping that the player doesn't pick a high number and then their deal goes instantly south. I actually watched a player once purposely throw the game and leave with ten bucks! (*Go figure!) All in all, the show has the eye candy, the intensity, and all of the things that can make this game show a real treat for those that are into that style of gameplay.

Now, let us look to 'Power Of Ten'. First, it has no supermodels, which can already be a major set-back for guys that are expecting a long-legged hostess to come out (or at least maybe Drew's sister) and give the gentleman something nice to look at. Sorry folks, no Vanna here! Next, we have Drew Carey, a very odd-looking fellow with black horn-rimmed glasses that may have looked like your high school chess club champion for a host. Now, Drew has all the earmarks of being a great game show host, but with his limited resume (*ie 'The Drew Carey Show' and 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?'), this could possibly hurt him later on in this new job. But, even with that against him, Drew has an amazing charm and heart that grabs at you, as he shows that he is not afraid to hug a contestant whether they win or lose, and he always gives the appearance that he is sincere in how he feels. This makes him a huge plus in my mind, as it shows that he's not beyond just being the average joe. Then, of course, we cannot forget about the money. 'Power of Ten'' means exactly just that. It means that every time the contestant answers a question correctly, the money that they have won up until that point is multiplied by ten in the next round. The contestants do not have to pick silver cases, but rather answer pool questions such as 'How many people in America think they are smarter than President Bush?', and then they move a small globe on a video screen where they give an approximate answer as to what percentage they think actually answered the question. Simplistic in its approach? Believe me, by far, it is not! The closest that anyone has ever come since the game's injuction on the air was an 18-year-old golf caddy that had managed to win one million dollars on the show's first airing.

So, the next question is: who will win out in the end? It is very close to call, as 'Deal's case- carrying beauties will be taking on a big-hearted comedian from Cleveland, Ohio, it will be a tough race to see who will manage to stay on top. Whether you enjoy the cases or answering trivial percentage questions, what remains to be seen is whether NBC and CBS will be able to throw something new and fresh into the show. Perhaps 'Deal Or No Deal' could start asking questions while 'Power of Ten' gets a full make-over with the Hawaiian Tropic supermodels and have them carry cases that the contestants have to choose from. In any event, the real question remains....what is Bob Barker thinking about all this?