Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 21, 1990 TAG: 9007210213
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: E-2 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
As host of the new "Let's Make a Deal," Bob Hilton meets people nearly every day who answer this challenge with surprising responses.
"When I walk up to people asking for certain things in exchange for money, I never know what to expect," Hilton said. "Today I told one woman I'd give her $50 if she had something made of silk. She hesitated and then reached inside her shorts and pulled out part of her panties. I was blushing."
Despite outrageous antics, Hilton keeps his cool in this updated, stylized version of the classic game show that for years encouraged contestants to wear outrageous costumes and carry outlandish props.
He does not mind he will have to get used to this nutty behavior.
"The show is freewheeling from the moment the bell rings," he said. "You never know what's going to happen. It's working on the edge the whole time. I hope the audience has half the fun watching the show as I have doing it."
The return of one of television's most successful and long-running game shows had its premiere July 8 (the show airs at 10 a.m. on WSLS Channel 10 in the Roanoke viewing area).
Originating at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., "Let's Make a Deal" marks the first time a network game show is being taped at the Disney/MGM Studios Theme Park, where it is now a permanent attraction.
"We're able to reach an entire group of people who have never been to a game show. Every day 50,000 people look down and watch the show being taped as part of the studio tour. And 800 people a show are in the audience, as opposed to 200 people for five shows, like it used to be," Hilton said.
In addition to the extra seating capacity, the set is the largest ever assembled for a television game show.
"The set is bigger than most Hollywood studios, and the double-decker trading floor is huge and colorful," Hilton said.
The '90s version of "Let's Make a Deal" combines the technological magic of Disney with state-of-the-art production to create a revamped look. But according to Hilton, loyal fans need not fear the glossy exterior, because it is still "the same basic show. There's still door No. 1, 2 and 3."
Modern contestants, just like their counterparts in the '60s and '70s, compete for cash and prizes and are given options to trade away their winnings for the unknown, which could be hidden behind a curtain, in a box or in an envelope. The array of choices is augmented by new high-tech disguises, such as the giant video screen on the second level.
Hilton gladly revives the attitude and pace of the old "Let's Make a Deal," which had its debut in December 1963. In those days, audience members did not show up in costumes; the show's reputation for comic extravagance evolved.
"It started out with contestants wearing regular street clothes. Then someone brought in a sign, and next someone put on a funny hat" to get noticed, Hilton said.
When people started showing up in zany costumes, both the audience and the show's creators loved the idea.
But Hilton pointed out: "We don't only select people for the audience who are dressed up." People are picked the day of the taping from among the park's visitors: "It's always been that way."
"Let's Make a Deal" was presented during both daytime and prime-time hours and was syndicated throughout its 13-year run. The show's host was Monty Hall.
by CNB