MovieChat Forums > Let's Make a Deal (1963) Discussion > Miserly + Mean-Spirited

Miserly + Mean-Spirited

posted 16 years ago by TabbyRoad
3 replies | jump to latest

I've just discovered "The All New Let's Make A Deal," a show from the mid-Eighties I never knew existed. I grew up with the original version (in the Sixties) and am astonished by how cheap the prizes on this new show seem compared to those awarded on the original program.

And there are so many more so-called "zonks" (booby prizes) than used to be given. It's pretty stunning, actually, and I suspect the mood and tone of each version reflect the mood and tone of the times in which they were produced: the free-wheeling Sixties and the age-of-greed Eighties. I'm almost afraid to think what the next rendering of "Deal" will be like. We may already have it in the humiliating reality programs currently on-air.

(Note: I posted this same message on the board for "The All New LMAD"; no-one has remarked, so I'm re-posting here to see if anyone wants to comment.)

[–] Betsy0040 16 years ago

I wish they would bring it back! I wonder if Monty Hall would still want to host it. It has always been one of my favorite game shows.

[–] matt3297 16 years ago

Actually, Hall did bring back LMAD on a major network, circa 2004 (?).
It had a good host (not Hall--he's pushing 90), but it didn't last long.
I didn't care for it because it was so noisy. The audienced screamed so loudly during the deals that it was hard to hear what was going on. (And no, I don't have hearing problems.) The noise was irritating. The prizes were good.
I agree that the '80s version of it was cheap. It didn't last as long as the original. In an interview when the '80s version was on the air, Monty Hall said that people don't care if the prizes are expensive or not. I don't agree. I won't watch some shows, like the new "Crosswords" show, because their top prize is often less than an average months' pay! C'mon, Merv Griffin Enterprises, give us a break! (And bone up the prize cash for your contestants!)

[–] mech1164 16 years ago

Well I have to agree. I'm watching the show right now on GSN. Can't believe how cheap some of the stuff they peddled. TBH I would love to see Monty do one more LMAD special. With proper prizes. He's 87 this year I still think he has it though. What this does bring to mind is that there are times when you can't reinvent the wheel. He tried it in 2004 and it didn't work. They tried to update Match Game in the 90's and that failed (though I hear that there is still a new show in the works). And earlier in the year they totally botched the update to Password. I like Regis but the format was awful.