HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone! We will be back tomorrow with regular updates!

All DoND episodes land in the top 20 of the week

All episodes on the week long run of DoND scored in the top 20 of the week. The highest was Wednesday's episode coming in at number 7, with Thursday's shortly behind. Check it all out here-

http://tv.yahoo.com/nielsen/

Definitely good news for DoND. I'm glad this show was such a huge hit for the network, because I truly believe this is a great show. I can't wait for it to be back.

DoND Episode 5 Ratings Ratings

DoND finished strong last Friday night with a nice total of 11.7 million viewers and a 3.7 rating/13 share in the adults 18-49 demographic. Overall, it was a great week for NBC. Read it all here-

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=1444098

I'm Back!

Hey guys, I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I most certainly did. More game show and theme park coverage will come at you later today. (DoND ratings Ep 5, some other stuff)

Deal or No Deal: Episode #5

Tonight, Deal or No Deal ended its week long run. While lower money amounts were given out this night than others, it was a great way to end the show's 5 night-a-week run. The show started off with returning contestant, Venus Barnardo. She didn't have the greatest luck last night, so hopefully she could change that around. Unfortunetaly, it didn't fare that way. Venus eliminated the million dollar case and the 3/4 of a million dollars in the opening round. However, her luck got better, eliminating many low cases one after another, with bank offers getting higher and higher. Finally, three cases were left, the $50,000 case, the $15,000 case, and the $200 case. The Bank offered a nice sum of $23,000. Venus took it, which ended up being a bad deal. Her case had the $50,000, and it ended up being the only bad deal on the show's 5 night run.

The second contestant was Janette Beverly, who entered the show with only a half an hour left. Unfortunetaly, Janette followed Venus's luck. She knocked out many high amounts in her first round, including the all amazing 1 million dollars. Her first bank offer was a measly 4 thousand bucks. In the 2nd round, her luck didn't get much better, knocking out more high amounts, with some low ones. The bank soared to $13,000. Janette wasn't buying it. She went on, and unfortunetaly, knocked out the last high amount, the 3/4 of a million. The bank dropped to $9,000. At the time of the offer, Howie presented a necklace to Janette from her husband, who couldn't be there. With encouragement, she turned the deal down. Janette went on, with the bank offer soaring, then dropping, then soaring. When the bank offered $40,000, Janette got an unexpected call from her husband. He said it was all up to her. With more encouragement, she turned down the deal. From then on, Janette's offers got better and better. The Bank soared to $55,000, but Janette turned it down. The next offer was $85,000. With only two cases left, the $75,000 and the $100,000, this was a hard descision. Janette agreed with her friends, and turned down the deal. This was the first time someone had gone this far. Howie gave Janette the chance to switch her case with the other case. Janette refused, and it ended up being a bad descision. She had the $75,000 in her case. Still, not a bad amount of money. She left with $75,000, and the show's 5 night a week run ended. Wow, what a great week of shows. I'm disappointed that they are over, but I'm glad the show is coming back!

I'm really excited about the show coming back. Hopefully they will be just as good as these eps. I can't wait for them to come back. Anyway, if you missed the shows, check them out on CNBC in the coming week 0r so. All shows will repeat, as shown in tonight's episode. It will probably be your last chance to check them out, so do it. I might even check them out again! I can't get enough of this show.

RATINGS: Not up yet. My guess is that they were great, as the last few episodes. Goodbye DoND, I look forward to you in the spring!

GSN's Novemeber Ratings...

...aren't that great. GSN pulled an average 0.3 for November. Check out this link-

http://cableworld.com/cgi/cw/show_mag.cgi?pub=cw&mon=121905&file=novemberratings.htm

DEAL OR NO DEAL RETURNING

Deal or No Deal returning for another go-around! Very exciting news. I'm very happy, because I love this show. I'm very glad it's coming back, and because of its ratings, there is NO surprise. Check it out here-

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/brief_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001737127

Deal or No Deal: Episode #4

Thursday's episode of Deal or No Deal started off fresh with a new contestant, Traci Wilkerson, a 1st grade teacher. Traci got off to a shaky start, eliminating both big amounts and small amounts through the first few rounds. Bank amounts started off small, but eventually got higher due to the 1 million dollar case still not revealed. As the game went on, Banker offers went up, but Traci's family convinced her to go on. Finally, an offer of $275,000 was offered by the Banker. The half a million dollar case and the million dollar case were still alive. After encouragement from Traci's school class, who was in the audience, Traci turned down the deal. In the next round, the $500,000 case was revealed. It still wasn't bad though. The offer only went down a little bit, at $267,000. At this time, Traci wasn't going to risk it. She pushed the button and the $267,000 was hers.

During Traci's appearance on the show, Howie told her family the amounts before her and even some her students, who reported the news to her. Howie was absolutely fanastic tonight, with many jokes through the show's course. Traci's lucky fared well, and she walked away with $267,000.

The show's second contestant of the night, Venus Bernardo, didn't fare so well. She started off eliminating many high amounts, including the half a million bucks as one of her first picks. All big amounts but the 3/4 of a million and the million were eliminated. Thursday's episode left as a cliffhanger with an offer from the Bank. Venus will return Friday night, the show's last night, for a chance at a million.

Random note:The position of the suitcase and the phone were back to their original state.

RATINGS: Deal or No Deal continued with strong ratings Thursday night with a 8.3/15. Check the story here-
http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,272992281,00.html

Skyhawk topped off

Skyhawk, the new Giant Swing at Cedar Point, has been topped off. Check out the the park's site, where the ride's structure seems completed. It seems like the only thing left is to attach the swings. Check the site here-

http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/fun%5Fonline/blog/

Tatsu Contstruction Update

Tatsu, the new flying coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain, has been topped off. The ride had a special topping off ceremony for the ride's lift completion. You can check out pictures of the ride's topped off lift at the park's official web site-

http://www.sixflags.com/parks/magicmountain/ParkPress/tatsu-emerging.html

This ride looks amazing. I wish I could ride it!

Deal or No Deal: Episode #3

Amy Dittbrenner returned Wednesday night on Deal or No Deal. With a rough start, Amy needed to get lucky. She started off the night strong picking low numbers, but also the half a million case. It was now obvious she was still after the million dollar case. She went on, picking small number after small number, and rejecting deal after deal. Finally, after the $500 case was revealed, 3 cases, including her own remained. The Banker gave Howie a call, and told Amy that the offer was $201,000. After the Banker call, Amy recieved a special call from her kids at home. With their encouragement, Amy took the deal of 201,000. It ended up that the million dollars was not in her case.

The second contestant of the night was Daryl Johnson. Daryl got off to a shaky start eliminating many of the high numbers in the first few rounds. As the game went on, the only big number case left was $200,000, and Daryl wanted it. He went on, and as he did, luck was with him. He went on eliminating many low number cases, until two remained. Those 2 contained the $200,000, and the $50. It was take to make a descision. Howie told Daryl that the bank offer was $99,000. After words of encouragement from his wise brother, Daryl slammed the button down for the deal, and as he did, shouted "I ain't no fool". Darly walked away with a cool $99,000, a nice sum for a shaky start to the game.

Random note: The positions of the phone and the player's suitcase were switched on the player's podium that night. I know, it is very random.

RATINGS: Deal or No Deal soared again last night with the ratings. They were better than ever, scoring a sweet 8.4/14. Read more here-
http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,272992121,00.html

Thursday's rundown of the show will be up tomorrow.

Deal or No Deal Casting for Contestants!

NBC is casting for Deal or No Deal contestants! Do you want to be a contestant on the show? Click here-http://www.nbc.com/Casting/#dond

So, this means the show is coming back, right? Hopefully. Also, if it does come back, we have a rumored time flame. I pulled this bit of Wikipedia-

"Early ratings for the show have been encouraging. In both its initial outings Deal or No Deal has won its time slot in overall ratings and the 18-49 demographic. Reports suggest that NBC is sure to bring the show back after its one-week run, perhaps after the network's coverage of the Winter Olympics in February, 2006."

Courtesy of Wikipedia

This is good for DoND fans, such as myself!

Rundown of episode 3 will be up tomorrow.

Skyhawk goes vertical

Skyhawk, the Giant S&S Screamin' Swing at Cedar Point, went vertical yesterday. The two arms that hold the ride in place were installed. The ride is supposed to be topped off tomorrow. Pics are here-http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/inside_park/rides/thrill/skyhawk/construction.cfm

Deal or No Deal: Episode #2

Last night's contestant was Jason Vitterini. He started on Monday night, and told Howie he was "Mr Unlucky". Well, he didn't get off to a get start Monday night, knocking some big money numbers from the start. Maybe his luck would change on Tuesday night. It did. On Tuesday night, he was on a streak, opening 13 cases in a row lower than 5,000. Finally, the Banker knew he would need a big bribe to win Jason's case. He offered Jason 240,000. Now, there were only 4 cases left, 3 of which were over the Banker's offer. Jason turned it down. He went on to pick a case, and that case was the big 500,000. The Banker called him back, and offered him a lower sum, but still good 187,000. This time, Jason accepted the deal and took home the cash.

The show also brought Amy Dittbrenner to the table. She had a rough start, revealing many high number amounts one after one. With only a few cases left, and still 1 million and a half a million on the board, the show will open up with Amy taking the 76,000 offer from the dealer, or turning it down for a shot at a million.

RATINGS: Ratings improved Tuesday night for Deal or No Deal. In the overall ratings, it scored 12.6 million viewers. In the main demographic, it scored 4.6. Full story-http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271992091,00.html

Deal or No Deal: Episode #1

Deal or No Deal started off with a bang. The show's first contestant, Karen Van, was just the person the show needed. She brought along her family, dubbed "Minivans" by Howie. Oh, and how enthusiastic they were. As Karen Van went on picking case after case (usually small numbers, she started off very well), the Minivans were jumping out of their seats when a low number appeared, and saying "That's all right" when a high number popped up. About half way into the episode (The climax), Karen was offered 138,000 for her case. Now, this was quite an offer. However, Karen went with her husband and said "No deal" to host Howie Mandel. She had to pick one more case before the next offer. That case was the 500,000 case. The Banker now offered 25,000. Her case could have 500 or 50,000. She didn't want to take any chances this time. She took the Banker's deal, and it was a good thing too. Her case had the 500 in it.

RATINGS: Deal started off strong Monday night pulling a total 11.6 million viewers. In the key demographic, 18-49, Deal scored a 3.9 rating. Read the story http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,271992091,00.html

Deal or No Deal Review

Deal or No Deal, NBC's new week long game show, has really impressed me. Here's a rundown on the major topics of the show.

Host: Comedian Howie Mandel was named host for the show. When it was announced, I didn't know who he was, so I had no idea how he was going to work with the show. I found out Monday night. He did an EXCELLENT job. He worked well with the contestants, and gave more hype to the show. He really went along with it well, and even making jokes here and there. I thought he was a fabulous host, and if more shows are ordered, I hope he stays.

Set: The set on the show is very nice. You have your bright colors, along with a nice surrounding atmosphere. One feature I like a lot is when the phone rings. The floor actually turns colors and well as the phone holder. The set is very nice.

Gameplay: Deal or No Deal probably has one of the most easy concepts on a game show I've seen. It is very easy to pick up and follow along with. Basically, the contestant picks a suitcase, picks some more suitcases, pick deal or no deal from the banker, and repeat. The game requires to bit of knowledge or skill. This game focuses on luck, and with that, making tough decisions. I love the gameplay, and it can easily be picked up by anyone walking down the street.

Pacing: The pacing of this game is crucial. When watching this show, you are on the edge of your seat, or up screaming at the TV. This show is so suspenseful, and it really grabs your attention easily. Sometimes this show's pacing will kill you, mainly due to commercial breaks right before making tough decisions or opening a case. I hate the commercials!

Random notes:

-The audience for the show is TERRIFIC! They really go along with the show well and build up the hype. Sometimes Howie evens asks for their opinions.
-When you are a contestant, you have your family right up on stage with you to help with your decisions. That way, you can blame everything bad on them! :D
-I like the aspect that The Banker calls you on the phone, and you don't see him at all. It adds more to the effect, in my opinion. Hopefully he will be revealed on the show's last episode, though.

Well, that is about everything. Overall, the show is GREAT! Tune in all this week at 8 for more Deal or No Deal. You will be hooked as I am!

Oh Yeah, and my rating for the show. I'm giving it a 9/10, because I hate the commercial breaks!

Photo courtesy of NBC.com.

Deal or No Deal History

Deal or No Deal is a game show that originated Austrailia. Down under, the show was a HUGE success. Many other countries around the world started to make their own versions of the show, due to the show's success in Austrailia. So, how were these people hooked to the show? Maybe the fact that you win major cash by doing as little as picking a suitcase. The show's premise is this. You pick a suitcase. That suitcase can may contain a million dollars, or as little as a penny. You go on to pick 6 suitcases, each with different amounts of money in them. Now, you want to see the smallest amounts possible, because you want have the big money in your suitcase. After you pick your cases, the banker gives you a call. The banker wants your suitcase, and offers you cash in return for the suitcase. The dealer makes offerings due to your luck with the suitcases. For example, If you pick .01, $1, $5, $75, $500, and $1000, the dealer is going to give you a nice amount of cash. If you accept his offer and say deal, you get the cash he offered you. However, if you say no deal, you go on playing the game, this time 5 suitcases, and so on and so forth. The game is so easy to catch on to it's unbelieveable.

Now, you know the United States wants to cash in on this potential ratings cow. First to pick up the show is ABC. ABC announces they are doing the show, but after several months of no info, seeing the show in the US looks unlikely. ABC eventually cancelled. The buzz died down until this summer, NBC released that Deal or No Deal would be coming to American Television. Info slowly came to us, including the annoucement of the show's host, comedian Howie Mandel. Finally, in the recent months, NBC released that Deal or No Deal would be coming 5-nights-a-week, during the week before Christmas. Some were surprised the show came so soon, but others didn't like the fact that this week is one of the worst weeks for television. So, it was impossible to see how the show would fare. Would it be a success, or a failure? I would count it as a success, but all in all, it comes down to the ratings.

I'll have a show review and recaps on the first 3 episodes tomorrow.

El Toro is Topped Off

El Toro, the new wooden coaster at Great Adventure, was topped off today! The last bent rose with the help of a crane and was firmly installed to the rest of the ride supports. Now that the lift is done, ride construction should fly by!

Check pictures of the topping off at the park's official website, www.sixflags.com/parks/greatadventure

Hello all

Hello all, and welcome to Game Shows and Theme Parks. This Blog will give you the inside look at two hobbies of mine, game shows and theme parks. I will post reviews of new game shows and game show news, along with theme parks construction updates and news. I look forward to analyzing the new game on NBC, Deal or No Deal. Also, I will post construction updates of El Toro, the new rollercoaster at Six Flags Great Adventure (my home park) this year. So stay tuned, and I hope you check in here regularly for your latest game show and theme park news.

Thanks,

Ryan