So that's the first episode of Deal Or No Deal I've watched live (or at least, at the same time it's aired, I wasn't physically there in the audience...) for just over 15 years, and I found it an interesting experience!
The first thing to strike me I think was how tacky the set appears, in direct contrast with the 'dream factory' - again, there's the caveat that the only studio I knew was Paintworks, so I have no idea what later sets felt like. I have seen photos and clips, but not enough to really gauge the feeling. Anyway, this studio feels small, and...cramped, yet also empty. There aren't many people in the audience, there's no sense of vastness to the 'walk of wealth' and the wings, and the gameboard appears to me like someone's just rolled one of those extra-huge flatscreen TVs in and plonked it in the middle, 'yeah that'll do mayte, see ya!'. In a way, it actually works for me...
The set feels very much like a prototype, or a pilot - the whole atmosphere is that of a pilot run, for me, with plenty of features that'll be refined and tweaked if viewing figures are good and the show continues. It feels very 'budget', but I don't mind that, really. 2005 was a generation ago, after all, and the boom times will come again - but not just yet.
I noted the thinking music was the same while the player was considering an offer, but they've used a new, more subtle tune during the rounds - and the DRUM sound when the boxes are opened is sometimes slightly delayed, so the person opens the box, you see the amount, and then you hear the DRUM. Sometimes the timing is perfect though, so I'm not sure how that works!
Funnily enough, I was watching shows from February and March 2006 earlier today, and a few of the players commented on how different it felt being in the chair, compared to being on the wings and counselling the player to go on or deal. Jamie mentioned that today too, so at least the tension and suspense haven't changed.
Jamie also seemed ecstatic to have £14,850, regardless of the way the game went after that point - which of course is in stark contrast to days of yore, when the player would've been absolutely gutted to miss out on more. I loved the moment when they phoned his partner, but it makes me wonder...how was this the first time anyone had the thought to 'phone home' on a tricky decision? I'd never thought of it either, until they did it, but it makes perfect sense!
Stephen I think is a good host, but struggles to dictate the pace of play, in terms of the atmosphere of the game, the mood of the room. I do like the aesthetics, but feel the original presentation of the show was more 'serious'...if that makes sense to anyone.
The only thing I don't like, really, is that there are so many commercial breaks! I mean, we came back from one at what, 4:15, then off I went to make a cup of tea at 4:21, that's taking the Mental Mickey a bit surely?
I'm thinking again about how over the moon Jamie was with his fifteen grand. I'd be happy too, it'd get me another step closer to where I want to be, but I don't think I'd be totally bowled over like he seemed to be. Maybe living comfortably has distanced me from reality, I'm open to that being the case - but it feels like quite a damning indictment when people are genuinely deliberating over £2,000-odd,
early on in the game. Then again, that isn't something that's only happened in recent times, they were actually doing it in 2005 and 2006 as well, we just don't remember those games!
I mean I'm gone at £14,850 too, don't get me wrong, there's no way on earth I'm risking that when I could leave with a tenner or a quid...
FAQ
Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 5:50 pm Author: Mark Post subject: Re: 15/12 Jamie
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