Wednesday, December 13, 2006
#9: OF GAMESHOWS (PART 2)
The audience is in a frenzy. They are shouting at the top of their lungs, trying to influence the contestant; some people were trying to dissuade the person and telling her to give in, and yet some are urging her to go on and never give up.
She is confused. One mistake would mean lots. Yeah, lots. Like a couple of hundred grand less, at least. Time is running out.
This could be the beginning or the end for her. She had things to buy, children to support, and debts to pay. She is nervous. Add that to the fact that she was face-to-face with the Queen herself, the controversial, flamboyantly stylish fashion icon and host unparalleled. And right now she was asking her a question:
"Is it a deal, or no deal?"
She thought for a while. And then made up her mind. She closed the transparent buzzer container with force and renewed vigor, and consequently made that hand movement that I bet all of you are familiar with.
"No deal!"
Kris Aquino, ever the elegant host, just smiled her knowing smile and proceeded with the game. Briefcases were then consecutively opened, and then the contestant was given the fateful question again.
In the end, she went home with a million bucks, brought about by a "No deal".
That's Deal or No Deal. No other gameshow has given that much adrenalin. The big bosses at ABS-CBN really got it going when they found a new formula that suited the Filipino palate. Primetime watching has never been the same since then. I mean, much too much roulettes, multiple choices, boxes and bayongs were used over time. It's just a relief that a gameshow with a concept this new landed this side of the Pacific.
In this show, you become one with the contestant's hopes and pains. I almost always find myself inadvertently shouting "deal!" or "no deal!" at the top of my lungs with the audience, even if it's just on tv. Of course, not always does a contestant win. Sometimes Lady Luck just isn't there, and they walk away with less than their barangay's transportation fees. But most of the time they got lucky and get the meat. On both accounts the experience is priceless.
And who could ever forget the drama? Deal Or No Deal is full of them. I once watched an ep wherein the contestant's busband was asked for a briefcase number. And what do you know? It contains the 2M. Tough luck, since the next biggest sum is a 4-digit number. When the ever-sexy Kris asked about her whereabouts, she offhandedly replied, "Okay lang, Kris. My husband is my biggest prize anyway."
Aww. The driving force of Louve. (The misspelling is intentional.)
At any rate, it is a game, right? But for me, at least, it is much more. Deal or No Deal is a godsend. It mirrors the Filipino dream: the pinnacle of the elusive creature we call success. The faces of victory and defeat, the sheer joy of winning and the sorrow of unbearable loss. Every briefcase contains a surprise; like life. You never know what you'll get. The stakes may rise and fall, but at the end of it all, one chooses to stay firm and shout a "no deal!". The Filipino spirit standing strong at every endeavor.
After writing this article, i'm gonna text the show and join the fun as a contestant.
Oops. Too bad i'm underage.
it got me home
7:18 AM
