It’s rare to see a host with wit and spontaneity like Howie Mandel. I’m glad CNBC is bringing back Deal or No Deal. Mind you, it was a rather mindless game show—with contestants selecting suitcases from a bevy of scantily dressed models, but it was a great distraction; mindless equals relaxing after a hard day at work.

You might know Mandel from his work as a judge on America’s Got Talent.  AGT features performers of all types from singers and dancers to comedians and magicians. There is no age stipulation to compete for the top prize of one million dollars. The show debuted in June 2006 and Mandel joined the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Mel B and Heidi Klum. Deal has been renewed for a thirteenth season and premieres on Tuesday, May 29, 2018.

The Canadian-born Mandel began his career in 1978 doing stand-up at the Yuk Yuk Comedy Club in Toronto. His big break came in 1979 in the U-S when he opened for David Letterman in the summer of 1979. Since then, the comedian/actor has starred in multiple projects.

The NBC Universal Group has exhibited wisdom in bringing back Deal or No Deal. According to a Variety article (March 13, 2018), CNBC will present new episodes of ‘Deal’ but it is not yet determined if the show will air nightly or once a week. The main thrust of CNBC programming is business news. http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/deal-or-no-deal-howie-mandel-cnbc-new-episodes-1202725190/

This new addition to CNBC supports my theory, which is not revolutionary, that entertainment and news are becoming one and the same—merged together in shows like ‘Extra,’ ‘Shark Tank’ and ‘Entertainment Today.’

“Our prime time programs, with their focus on business and money, strive to be both entertaining and instructive. Shows like ‘The Profit’ and ‘Shark Tank’ are built around high stakes and high rewards. Those same elements live at the heart of ‘Deal or No Deal,’ which is why we believe it to be a perfect fit,” said CNBC Chairman Mark Hoffman.

The concept of the show is simple. A contestant picks from 26 suitcases with prizes ranging from .01 to 1 million dollars. The goal, of course, is to find the 1 million dollar prize, all the while negotiating with an invisible banker who talks to Howie. The show is fast-paced, fun and Mandel is hilarious.

Mandel is excited about his return to the game show. “Having been in this business for 40 years, I’ve been involved in every kind of production – live, variety, drama, film and animation. Nothing changed my life, career and perception of humanity more than one project, and that was ‘Deal or No Deal, ’” Mandel said.

I’m excited he’s back too. However, not coming back is Meghan Markle, Prince Harry’s fiancé, who was a briefcase model From 2006 to 2007 in 34 episodes. Now, I have to figure out a way to become a contestant.