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# Deal or No Deal
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/deal-or-no-deal/
- Published: 2006-10-09T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T01:05:46.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By (Carole)*

I have watched with serious fascination the network phenomenon that has catapulted Howie Mandel and his entourage of 26 identically dressed women to television fame and fortune. This seemingly uncomplicated game show requires the contestant’s random selection of one of 26 numbered briefcases. The contestant then proceeds to open the remaining (25) cases, one by one, revealing the money inside. Ultimately,“The Banker”offers a sum of money to the contestant to walk away at predetermined intervals, and prompts Howie to ask the simple question:“Deal or No Deal?”

So, here’s the deal. Although this format appears to be simple, and appears in a variety of versions around the world in 32 countries, I discovered that the theory behind the popular game show is surprisingly complicated. The player’s optimal strategy is dictated by mathematical formulas and a variety of other factors, including psychological ones. In fact, a detailed analysis already encompasses seven pages of the Wikipedia Encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deal\_or\_No\_Deal).

In light of the simple format with a complicated underlying theory,I started to contemplate the broader social,political and economic implications of an expanded “Deal or No Deal”weekly television show. I am intrigued by the idea of changing the way that government handles the decision-making process in passing legislation. Enough of the bickering between Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, and lobbyists on all sides of all issues. Let’s get some uniformity in Washington, D.C., Sacramento and Santa Monica.

As a first step, I would propose that we elect our officials through a process that would select players for a local, state and national “Deal or No Deal” program. We could save a tremendous amount of money currently spent on expensive campaigns with a myriad of primaries and general elections. Rather than focus on illusory “issues” that generate campaign promises, which are seldom kept, we could make our selection of our candidate/players based upon the sex appeal and charisma that each is able to project.

Once selected to appear on the program, the candidate/player will be able to select a case that will further define an issue that confronts our country, or state or local government. In the place of money, there will be a wide range of choices giving definition to our policies. On the national program, we could devote one show to the War on Terror, with choices ranging from sending more troops to Iraq to withdrawing all troops from Iraq; from embarking on a first strike of nuclear sites in Iran to the total isolation of Iran; from engaging North Korea to ignoring North Korea; from continuing with the financial support of the United Nations to withdrawing from the United Nations.

Successive national shows could focus on issues such as airport security (Which items should be banned from carry-on luggage?); energy policies (Which alternative sources of energy,if any,should be promoted?); health care (How about universal health care?). This could be followed with the state shows covering immigration policies (Do we close or open our borders?) Finally, we could do a variety of local shows in Santa Monica.We could look at implementing policies on dealing with vagrants, development, housing, education, transportation, public safety, etc. We could even get to the dollar numbers of allocating our $400 million-plus budget.I foresee a show with our local candidate/player picking one of the 26 cases, and each of the cases having a dollar amount allocated to that particular policy area.

I envision that my plan will save a tremendous amount of money and time in campaigns and legislative debates at all levels. Furthermore, if produced properly, the show will drastically increase citizen participation and knowledge. Since our current electoral system only reflects a 50 percent to 60 percent turnout in general elections (every 4 years), and a fraction of that amount in off-year and local elections, there is a wonderful opportunity for a ratings bonanza that will easily surpass our historical voter numbers.

As a final “bonus”, we could be paid large sums of money by the network to air this popular show, and recycle those funds to our communities.What an environmentally wonderful idea!

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 9, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/100906.pdf?ref=smdp.com)