November 22, 2006
Canadian's looking to 'Deal'
By -- Toronto Sun

It was a Deal Or No Deal deluge, as tens of thousands of Canadians beat last Friday's deadline to apply for the big-money game show.

Global received more than 112,000 applications to be a contestant on the Canadian version of Deal Or No Deal.

Fans had to fill out 39 questions on a 14-page form. More than 95,000 Canadians filled it out online, with another 17,713 mailing it in.

One application arrived with a layer cake in the shape of host Howie Mandel's head. Other applicants sent in pictures of their dogs and other pets, listing them as in-studio supporters (definitely a no-no).

Six years ago, CTV had more than 750,000 Canadians try to get on its Canadian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. That, however, was a quicky phone poll. Only about 3,000 got through to the next round.

Twenty-three Global staffers are now sifting through all the Deal applications, preparing a national shortlist. Interviews will then be held in five Canadian cities through December. A lucky few will make it to the five episodes, which will be taped in Toronto Jan. 23- 27.

Details about obtaining studio tickets and applying for the 26 briefcase-toting Deal models are still pending.

For more information, go to globaltv.com.

Again, anyone e-mailing me about any of this will be automatically disqualified!