Deal or No Deal (USA)/Episode 243

Episode 243
Season 2, Episode 44
Airdate	February 12, 2007
← 2x43 Episode 240	2x45 → Episode 244
Deal or No Deal (USA) — Season Two

Episode 243 is the forty-fourth episode of the second season of Deal or No Deal, and the eighty-third episode overall.

Guest Stars: Bobby Generic (Howie Mandal's animated alter-ego)

Game Supporters: Susan (Donato's Mother), Thomas (Donato's Friend), Stephanie (Donato's Sister), Nicholas and Joseph (Donato's Nephews), Gary Riotto/Michele Falco/Matty Sollena (Former DOND contestants)

Gameplay

• The 113th contestant on Deal Or No Deal was Donato DeMarinis[1] from Island Park (NY). He accepted a $76,000 deal with four cases left following a game where he was first offered $30,000 and his deals bottomed out at $22,000. In the playout, he could have had as much as $163,000 with $1,000 and $300,000 left. DeMarinis made a good deal in the end: his case contained $1,000.00.
  • Briefcase Chosen: 16
    • Round 1 Briefcases 21 ($50,000), 8 ($75), 19 ($75,000), 15 ($200,000), 1 ($200), and 9 ($400,000) eliminated. Banker offers $30,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 2 Briefcases 7 ($25,000), 3 ($50), 10 ($5,000), 24 ($750,000), and 22 ($1) eliminated. Banker offers $44,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 3 Briefcases 6 ($100), 13 ($.01), 2 ($25), and 23 ($1,000,000) eliminated. Banker offers $29,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 4 Briefcases 25 ($100,000), 18 ($500,000), and 4 ($5) eliminated. Banker offers $22,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 5 Briefcases 11 ($500) and 20 ($750) eliminated. Banker offers $41,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 6 Briefcase 14 ($300) eliminated. Banker offers $53,000; NO DEAL.
    • Round 7 Briefcase 5 ($400) eliminated. Banker offers $76,000; DEAL.
    • FINAL WINNINGS: $76,000.00

• If DeMarinis had continued:
  • Round 8 (if played) Briefcase 26 ($10) eliminated. Banker offers $113,000.
  • Round 9 (if played) Briefcase 17 ($10,000) eliminated. Banker offers $163,000.
  • Round 10 (if played) DeMarinis' briefcase opened (#16); briefcase contains $1,000.
  • LAST UNOPENED BRIEFCASE: 12 ($300,000).

• New contestant Kate Miller only made it through the first round before her game was forced to strattle. Two of the three top amounts were eliminated, resulting in her (rejected) $15,000 offer.
  • Briefcase Chosen: 13
    • Round 1 Briefcases 21 ($10), 11 ($50), 3 ($500,000), 7 ($5,000), 17 ($1,000,000), and 1 ($5) eliminated. Banker offers $15,000; NO DEAL.

Notes

• Deal or No Deal teamed up with the Campbell Soup Company for the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement to raise awareness of heart disease in women. In this episode, the briefcase models were seen in exclusive red dresses designed by Michael Vollbracht for Bill Blass and provided by Campbell's Healthy Request soup. After the show, the red dresses, a symbol for women and heart disease, were auctioned and the proceeds donated to the American Heart Association.

Trivia

The Show

• The episode was patriotic themed with Donato adorned with an American Flag Jacket and custom made red/white/blue glitter-filled sneakers. The lighting throughout the studio was replaced with the American colors. Behind the ladies hung a giant sized American flag. The audience members all waved small American flags throughout the episode.
• During the taping at Culver City Studios, a live simulcast of Times Square (NY) appeared with Donato's family and friends offering their advice. In addition, former contestants Matty Solena, Michele Falco and Gary Riotto participated in the telecast from New York.
• Bobby Generic, Howie Mandel's cartoon character from his 1990s FOX animated series, Bobby's World, appeared on the February 12, 2007 episode, to ask contestant Donato DeMarinis the magic question: "Deal or No Deal?"[2][3]
• Ursula Mayes, holding case #5 during the episode, told Donato that if she opened her case and it held a low number, she wanted his 'glittery' shoes. After she opened her case, which contained $400.00, Donato removed his shoes and gave them to Ursula.
• Upon Donato's acceptance of the banker's offer ($76,000), 'Stars and Stripes Forever' began to play instead of the regular DOND theme music. Behind the remaining three models appeared a fireworks display completing this patriotic episode.[4]

Behind the Scenes

• On February 12th, 2007, Donato DeMarinis was requested by Long Island News 12 for an interview regarding his participation on Deal Or No Deal. He appeared on two segments of a live broadcast of their morning show[5] and was interviewed by Carol Silva and Elizabeth Hashagen.
• On February 17th, 2007, DeMarinis was also requested for an interview on the PBS television show 'Snapshot'[6] to discuss his participation on Deal Or No Deal. During that interview, he displayed the glittery sneakers that he wore on the show. He explained to host Lyn May that although he gave them to case model Ursula Meyes, she returned them to him autographed after the show's taping.
• On May 7th, 2007, producers of Deal Or No Deal celebrated their 100th episode.[7] They invited former contestants to join the party in the studio audience and offered former contestant Brooks Leach (episode 233) a second chance to win one-million dollars. Donato DeMarinis was amongst the sixty-seven contestants who participated in the event, which included celebrity appearances from Jay Leno, Regis Philbin and Ozzy Osbourne.
• Producers of Deal Or No Deal began a roadtrip around the United States revisiting past contestants to question them on what life was like after Deal Or No Deal. Webisode clips were created and appear on the NBC website [8] titled "John & Josh's Deal Or No Deal Roadtrip" displaying the events. On June 2nd, 2007, producers invited former contestant Donato DeMarinis to join them on this tour because of his desire to travel around America, which he stated during his appearance. DeMarinis appears with former contestants in Georgia and South Carolina such as Hugh Neisler[9] (episode 252A), Holly Benefield[10] (episode 216), Becky Spears[11] (episode 225B) and P.J. Dykes[12] (episode 213).

Quotes

• Opening
  Howie: Tell me about yourself
  Donato: Me, Donato, from New York - Greek & Italian, love America
  Howie: At first, for a moment, I thought you were a big Evil Kenevil fan

• Before Donato chooses his case
  Howie: Does this make you feel at home? DROP IT! (a Canadian flag drops and hangs behind the 26 models)
  Donato: I like Canada and everything but...
  Howie: I know, but you know what, it makes me comfortable. That's my country. But we did something for you - watch this (A large American flag drops behind the ladies)
  Howie: Do you have a number in mind?
  Donato: My grandmother was born on March 16th, and her name was Casey. As I've been following the show, is Casey holding number 16?
  Howie: Yes
  Donato: Then, 16 is the number

• During the first round
  Donato: Case number 1, look at this sexy lady, case number 1.
  Claudia: Are you flirting with me?

• Upon the first offer
  Donato: For a little bit of luck, maybe Bobby can ask me the question
  Howie: Right now my voice is a little off. I promise you at some point tonight - I have a sore throat
  Donato: I have a mint. Do you want a mint?
  Donato proceeds to dig into his pant pocket and retrieve an unwrapped mint.
  Howie: It's not even wrapped?
  Donato: There's a little lint on it.
  Howie: (laughing) Disgusting

• During the fourth round
  Bobby Generic: Hi Howieeee! Oh, Hi Ladies.
  Models: Hi Bobby.
  Howie: Go ahead. You ask him the question, Bobby.
  Bobby Generic: Donato DeMarinis, 'Deal or No Deal'?
  Donato: Thanks for coming out Bobby, I appreciate it.
  Howie: He's waiting.
  Donato: He's waiting - NO DEAL!

• During the fifth round
  Donato to Alike (case #20): I'm having a heart-attack. Please...
  Howie: Open the case
  Alike: (opens case containing $750) Can I just say I love New York.

• At the end of the fifth round
  Howie: OK, Times Square. Is there anybody in particular you want to talk to?
  Donato: Yeah, my nephews Nick and Joe.
  Howie: (to Gary Riotto in Times Square) Gary, can you get Nick and Joey on mic?
  Gary: Hey guys, just so you know, Joey fell asleep here because it's so late but Nicholas is awake and he's got something to say to you.
  Nicholas: ONE MORE!!
  Donato: We live once - so, no deal Howie.

• During the sixth round
  Donato: I mean I don't want to 'poo-poo' on $50,000, but it's a game. And the game is not over yet.

• During the seventh round
  Howie: For us. For your country. For Donato.
  Ursula: Donato, if I have a low number..I want the glittery shoes.
  Donato: You've got 'em.
  Ursula: (as she opens her case) Red, White, and Blue - this number is for you! (She opened $400.00.) I WANT THE SHOES.

• Final Offer
  Howie: If you have $300,000 in your case, you are going to have to open every single case.
  Donato: You're right. Everything you always say is right.
  Howie: I am always right. I tell the same thing to my wife day in and day out. So, Donato DeMarinis - DEAL OR NO DEAL?
  Donato: LISTEN. The banker, the banker did that number for me. We're going home!

• Epilogue
  Howie: Lindsey, open your case.
  Donato: Your smile is great.
  Lindsey: Your patriotism is awesome.
  Howie: (upon opening Donato's case #16) You made..a really good deal. With no safety net, you got out - you took enough risks.