deal or no deal question: do they really need models?

my god, that's 26 models who gets paid to open a briefcase. I have a
suggestion. an electronic board like the one on wheel of fortune.

SoHillsGuy...

You should try to check out a sample of the UK version, which couldn't
be more different in presentation.

Justin Pate...

That's because they can't find 26 beautiful women in the UK. At least
ones that have all their teeth.

Taylor...

HA-HA!!! Actually, if they didn't have the beautiful women, the show
would look even MORE flimsy than it already IS!

The unopened boxes (not cases) are manned by a pool of other players,
who are there awaiting their opportunity to play. (So, on average,
each other player has to wait around 22 shows for their turn to play.
One recent player manned a box for 49 episodes before having her chance
to play for the money on her 50th show.)

As a result, you can definitely feel the unity of the players, who have
gotten to know each other for several weeks while waiting to play. The
player going for the money routinely asks the other players for advice,
in place of the four over-exciteable and annoying family members that
each American player seems to have.

It's a simpler version, yet one with more real tension as the players
root each on for success.

fruitbat...

While in the UK recently, I happened to catch their version on TV. I
was impressed with how engaging it was, despite the apparently less
expensive production. The unity among the players you describe was
refreshing.

Why American audiences need (or execs think we need) big glitzy sets
with supermodels I don't know. Then again, it seemed to be an afternoon
gameshow when I caught it over there, not a primetime extravaganza.

suzee...

And how would they attract male viewers without the eye candy?

FDR...

Football players, of course.