Deal Or No Deal

This is the name of an entertainment program, I came across yesterday watching NBC TV Channel and which, I guess, you are familiar with. This program is the american version of a widely known show broadcasted in nearly 35 countries such as the French version " A prendre ou à Laisser" or our Tunisian version " Delilek Mlek" by entertainer Sami El Fehri. Not being really a fan of this kind of programs, I found the american version to some extent original. The show consists in the following:

A contestant is confronted with 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash -- ranging from a measly penny to $1 million dollars. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one -- his to keep, if he chooses, until its unsealing at game's end.

The risk element of the game kicks in when the player must then instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases - which are opened and the amount of cash inside revealed. The pressure mounts as in each round, after a pre-determined number of cases are opened, the participant is tempted by a mysterious entity known only as "The Bank" to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant's chosen briefcase - prompting the entertainer to ask the all-important question - Deal or No Deal?

The originality of this show is that 27 gorgeous models carry the cash briefcases instead of other contestants. The contestant is helped by members of his family who like the audience has an important influence on the contestant's decision making.