Reality Roll Call

(Press Release)

Los Angeles, CA–July 21, 2008–NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution and Endemol USA’s all new, half-hour episodes of “Deal or No Deal” will debut in national syndication on Monday, September 8th 2008.

Hosted by Howie Mandel, who will continue to host NBC’s primetime version of “Deal or No Deal,” now entering its fourth season, the new syndicated edition has been sold in over 97% of the U.S. for its first season in syndication.

The new syndicated version features all the key elements of the hit primetime series, including models, contestants taking big risks and having the chance to win a life-changing amount of money, the Banker, Mandel as host and the same award-winning production team from Endemol USA and Executive Producer Scott St. John.

As you may or may not know President Bush made an appearance on NBC’s Deal or No Deal to support a contestant who served in the Iraq War. Capt. Joseph Kobes, who courageously served three tours of duty in Iraq and was given a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star, had the experience of having President Bush tape a few words of support for him, which aired on the show.

Even though the President’s appearance was promoted beforehand, it did absolutely nothing to boost ratings. And Kobes, ended up going from accepting a $144,000 offer to accepting a $26,000 offer. Fortunately, he was able to leave the show with $78,000 thanks to a spin of the deal wheel.

Why did the ratings bomb for Deal or No Deal with Bush’s appearance? I think Big Brother’s Evel Dick’s analysis on his My Space blog breaks it down in simple terms: