US 'DOND' Makes History - a contestant leaves with *less* than 1p...

In fact, less than nothing...

The American version of "Deal or No Deal" just set probably the lowest possible low in the show's history - it actually COST a contestant money for a game, something not even Noel would dare do.

A female pig farmer competed on the January 3rd, 2008 episode of the US version of the hit game show. As a good luck charm, she brought along her own piggy bank to hopefully take some cash home in.

Midway through the game, the Banker (who is visible on the US version, sitting in an office with tinted windows overlooking the studio) asked if he could see her piggy bank. The contestant gave it to host Howie Mandel, and he took it up to the Banker's office, where the Banker pretended to pet it - then smashed it to pieces with a hammer. Howie, the contestant, the models who carry the briefcases (boxes) and the audience were understandably shocked.

Howie encouraged the contestant to continue and try to break the Banker's bank. Which she did, and instead, a lot of hearts were broken on that episode, as she became the very first contestant on the US version to leave with 1p ($0.01).

A typical piggy bank comparable to the contestant's will cost you at least $10.00 US minimum (Source: Toys 'R' Us), and she was not given a replacement piggy bank. So, if you do the math, she actually left with about $10.00 less in total assets than she came with - a first for any worldwide version of "DoND".

Some versions of "DoND" have sent contestants away empty-handed because of a bonus game called "Double or Nothing" (the contestant can choose to risk their total winnings and either double it or lose it all), but counting the estimated $10.00 loss when her piggy bank was smashed, this is the very first time any DoND contestant has left with a total prize that was *less* than what she originally came with.

A Google search for piggy bank prices turned up an absolute dirt-cheap price of $0.80 US (a small bow with pink and red squiggles on it; source: ShopaTron). I don't think a penny is going to cover even that.

So the next time you see another hapless contestant leave with the penny, consider that contestant lucky that they're leaving with something - and that they're not in America.



"Please let me know if there's some other way we can screw up tonight."
- William Shatner, "Star Trek 6"