Dec 25 2008
deal or no deal, christmas edition
Howie Mandel is the goateed Anton Szandzor LaVey of Christmas game show capitalist degradation. He is the ringleader; families on display squawk with glee, standing on a cotton-snowed stage, pointing to numbered santa’s-helper-esque sexy snow babes holding mystery prize boxes. “I choose box number 13!” The sexy game show snow babe smiles and flaps open her box labeled “13.” The camera quick-zooms on the box as it opens and the prize sign is revealed: “$500!” The snow babe kisses her hand and blows the kiss to Howie. Lights swirl, Howie grins. I haven’t watched this show before but it looks totally fucked. Some late capitalist Faustian take on the game show. Howie serves as the cold, smiling but detached MC, offering prizes — or treachery — to optimistic American families. Families that could “sure use that new car!”
