Welcome to donduk. A refuge for those who enjoy Deal or No Deal, the hit Channel 4 gameshow hosted by Noel Edmonds. The award winning gameshow Deal or No Deal has become a big hit for Channel 4 and marks a sensational return to our screens of Noel Edmonds.

Deal or No Deal is enjoyed my millions of viewers daily, where the contestants battle with The Banker to try and win a jackpot of £250,000. Here at donduk you will find full daily reports of each show, as well Deal or No Deal news and specials. Deal or No Deal although initially appearing very simple in format of just opening a few boxes for the chance to win some big money prizes, actually has some potentially complex decisions to be made at points throughout the show, the contestants occasionally try complex or simple gameplay in an attempt to give them an edge in beating the Banker.

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Giorgio's Game Report

This was the final show of the first season, Noel recommended sky-diving for the excitement, lion-taming for the drama, and laxatives for the ‘other thing’. You’ll miss us won’t you? The audience said ‘yes’, but they sounded tired, and God knows Noel must be, I certainly am. [Please read to the bottom of this report for some important news!]

At the end of the series only the £250,000 has not been won – could today be the day? Probably not with those odds. Today’s player was Giorgio, with box 6. A very dapper retired member of the Carleone mafia family, complete with hat and moustache. From Assisi, Giorgio Fellucini (?), described himself as a lucky man (having recovered from a bout of confusion with Noel about being unlucky). ‘A little kid’ found out that Giorgio was playing and gave him a letter with the numbers to choose – this was what he was going to use. His fiancée was in the audience at times such as these I am reminded that our vocabulary is just not good enough – I mean people in their forties should not have girlfriends and boyfriends, and retired people should not have fiancés, and fiancées – there should be other words, more meaningful than ‘partners’, and less …youth-oriented. Anyway, back to the game.

[By the way, I have missed a few of the names below because I have not been able to watch the program recently and so when Noel has not announced them, and I have not been able to read their labels, they have had to remain nameless. If you know any of the missing, then please let me know, thanks.]

Round one: Khanny, box 1 - £15,000 – that’s alright’ in the voice of whatsamatternow Luigi. (?) box 3 - £5000. Sal, box 8 - £250. Lindsay, box 9 - £3000. Box 12 - £50,000. Giorgio suspected/hoped that the banker thought he was crackers – the banker agreed with this assessment. The banker left a gift for each of the contestants, a book mark with the words ‘ the next member of the 1p club’. The offer was £6800. Giorgio didn’t think twice – ‘no deal’.

Round two: Otis, box 5 - £100,000. Giorgio hadn’t a clue where he was, he just laughed and clapped. Steph, box 16 – 50p. Sarah, box 18 - £20,000. The board was already looking sparse on the red side, the music was down in the piano’s bass area. Noel thought it looked bad, ‘so what are you thinking?’ he asked. Giorgio looked back at him, ‘I dunno, give me a hint’. The banker’s offer was now £3400. Again Giorgio responded instantly – ‘No deal, Sir’, said with charm and a nod of his head.

Round three: Mark, box 17 – 10p. Sharon, box 7 - £250,000 – ‘oooo, it’s a biggun’, said Giorgio. Noel was astonished that despite month after month of this game, no-one was winning the big one. Matt, box 9 - £10,000. The board was down to three reds already, but the £75,000 was still there. Lance suggested in a very plumy voice, that this could still be a great game, he advised Giorgio not to pick his box – it was ‘spooky’. The banker’s offer was now £1700, immediately Giorgio said ‘only one thing to do – no deal’.

Round four: Sandra, box 19 - £10. Bill, box 22 - £500. Noel got the audience to start chanting ‘blue’, so signalling a break. Afterwards, Barbara opened box 4 - £75,000. Noel reflected that a run of destructive games was going to end the series. The board contained two reds against 6 blues, with only the £35,000 between Giorgio and oblivion. The offer now was £425, at no stage had Giorgio been given a decent offer – and again he needed no time to think about it – ‘no deal’.

Box 15 - £250. Box 21 - £5. Ashley, box 10 - £1000. A better round, giving renewed hope, but this was now a one box game, four blues against a single red. The offer now was £2500. This time Giorgio thought about the offer – and even when asked the question took his time – but he was a brave old man – ‘no deal’.

Round six: Paul, box 2 - £35,000. ‘That’s it, we have crashed’, said Noel, suddenly looking very pale. Lance, box 11 - £1 – nothing spooky about that Lance. Giorgio was no longer laughing. Helen, box 20 - £750. Giorgio could not smile, his eyes were scanning the floor and ceiling, the law of Omerta was strong in this Italian. The offer now was £25.

He didn’t want to be there anymore. The fates had taken a little, old, Italian man, and tortured him mercilessly. The banker offered the swap, Giorgio refused it, and Noel opened Giorgio’s box on 1p. This had been the banker’s best week ever, there were now seven people in the 1p club, and two of them joined this week. Noel referred to the book token, Giorgio took it from him, shrugged his shoulders and said ‘I shall frame it’.

So there it is, the last program of the first series had ended on the lowest note possible. The problem with Giorgio’s show was the feeling of inevitability that pervaded it - at no stage was Giorgio given an offer that made him think, it reminded me of Geordie’s game so many months ago – there really wasn’t a point where I felt Giorgio could do anything except continue.

You may have noticed that over the last few weeks, regular articles such as the top ten chart, have fallen further and further behind – this is because I am running out of bandwidth. Today’s report is likely to be the last game report that either Sue or I do, as work commitments have finally caught up with both of us. The blog has become extremely popular and we are very grateful to Adie, Bal, Bairy, Chris, Georgia, Olivia, Randomthoughts, Steve and Toby for their game reports, to all of the ex-players who have contributed, especially Pat, Gaz and Tan, to all of you who have sent in comments, and to the rest of you for taking the time to read it – a really big thank you to you all!

We intend to put the blog up for sale on E-bay (so it will hopefully continue when the new series starts) - proceeds from the sale will go to Cancer Research, so please let your friends know. I will post more details about this very soon.

In the meantime, from me (Iain) and Sue, have a great summer.

Giorgio won 1p

Wednesday, July 19, 2006

John's game

Countdown to the summer hols it’s Wednesday already, I feel like one of the children still at school. Does this mean a non-uniform day on Friday for Noel – I vote for a floral dress as his first choice.

It’s John’s turn out in the arena. He bows deeply as he fetches out box 20 with a couple of beautifully wrapped (in Robbie Burns check – not tartan) pressies from Colt Bridge where he works. A Scottish £1 note is included in the gift to the banker. His photo’s are of his 2 boys and Sarah his wife. Sarah is in the audience and he is the house husband of the family as she works full time.

Before John can choose his first number Noel is in his old place on the East wing doing a terrible impersonation of him offering advice.

Round 1
Nikkea? box 13 - £10,000
Maddie, box 14 - £15,000 - shocked silence
Nev, box 1 - £5,000 – not a good start
Sandra, box 8 - £500 – huge supportive cheer
Otis, box 5 - £50,000

Stunned is the only way to describe the reaction in the studio to this appalling start from John. As they listen to Noel waiting for the offer, an ice cream van is heard in the background – the studio bursts into nervous laughter. Back to the serious business, the banker has a word directly with John asking if the Scottish dosh is a bribe – denied by John. Noel is busy opening his pressie which appears to be fudge of some sort. The offer at this stage is £6. Sick squid I think – not commented on by the studio did they miss an obvious joke from the bank?

Round 2
Lindsay, box 7 - £20,000 ‘extraordinary’ from Noel
Helen, box 2 - £35,000 there is a gaping hole on the red side of the board already.
Sally, box 11 is asked to stop the rot – nope - £250,000 appears and disappears back under the table. In this game only one blue has gone from the board and all but 4 reds. Laughter is heard loudly via the phone – the offer is £1. John is determined the game is not over yet and refuses to be beaten at this stage. Noel agrees by reminding him the offers can’t get any worse than this. No Deal.

Round 3
Nick, box 3 - £1000
Emi, box 12 - £100,000 Can there be any lower reaction – still only one blue off the board
Box 22 - £5 - the cheer for a blue matches one as though he had won a packet!
The banker is hugely enjoying this – the offer is £1,000 and I think he should be tempted he has £3,000 and £75,000 left on the board in red. No deal says John which elicits lots of encouraging applause and cheers.

Round 4
Lance, box 6 - 10p
Paul, box 4 -£750
Chris, box 17 - £5
Relief exudes nervously across the studio, dare they hope for a last minute reprieve for the condemned man? The offer is issued with a challenge £2,800 for John to leave. John goes into the audience to seek Sarah’s counsel she is confident in his decision. Back to the chair and the question with a quiet no deal in reply.

Round 5
Gorgio, box 21 - 1p another winning choice
Adam, box 19 - £250
Ashley, box 9 - 50p
Two all blue rounds pulled out of John’s hat he now has £1, £10 & £100 on the blue side, £3k and still hanging in there £75k. The offer is £5,600, which is fair according to John. Noel thinks it is a budget exit and Mark thinks it should have been around the £9k. Difficult decision here – John’s is a very brave no deal.

Round 6
Sarah, box 15 - closes him down completely - £75,000
Mark, box 16 - £10
Khannie box 10 - £3,000
The options now are £1 or £100 the final offer is £26. Ce la vie declares John – no deal.
Noel reveals the contents of John’s box 20 which is - miniscule compensation - £100.

John’s final words of wisdom state that money has no value compared that which he puts on his wife, children and family in Scotland.
Braveheart away ye gan hame. (shut up spellcheck)

John won £100

Have a great Summer
Sue

Monday, July 17, 2006

Connell's game

The show starts today with a quick reminder from Noel in a sober beige shirt telling us that this will be the last week before the summer break. What happens to all these guys who have stood on the sidelines for several weeks already?

Connell is selected after 24 shows he carries his box 22 over to the table. Connell is 33, his wife Tracy in the audience, they have four beautiful daughters who accompany him photographically. He has some orders (drawings) from the family to win enough to go to Disneyland.

Round 1
Maddie, box 17 - £1000.
Helen, box 1 - £3,000
Khannie, box 5 - £100,000
Sandra, box 3 - £15,000
Debbie, box 15 - £250

Connell and Noel both agree the banker will be a happy bunny at this start. The offer is £6,600 – surprisingly. We all think this pretty good considering the dodgy start. However the answer is still a predictable - no deal.

Round 2
Steph, box 11 - £100
Chris, box 21 – 50p, she is going to miss rubbing and kissing Connel’s head - a daily ritual apparently.
Sarah, box 13 – we go to break, Noel calls Chris over to the table for a last opportunity to demonstrate the slaphead worship.
Box 13 contains £1

Football seems to be Connel’s main interest outside his family – he coaches Coventry ladies team who his daughter plays for. The back of his shirt carries the slogan ‘courage’ I suspect the banker will pick up on that one. He does of course mention it with his offer of £13,200. Lance’s opinion is sought and fended off smartly. The decision is - No Deal

Round 3
Kieren, box 19 - £20,000
Nev, Box 18 - £500
Lindsay, box 20 - £75,000

It’s a very quiet studio right now – the tension is building as Noel takes the call and Connell studies the order for the trip to Disneyland. The temptation from the banker this time is £18,000 - enough for the trip of a lifetime is £4.5k for each daughter, nothing left for Mum & Dad. The phone rings with an extra £4.50 thrown in for good measure. A huge round of applause resounds when Connell makes his decision – no deal.

Round 4
Gorgio, box 12 - £5
Mark, box 16 - £50,000
Emmie, box 14 - to the break – back to reveal £35,000 - Straight to a one box game.
The new offer comes with the statement that he has just cost 2 of his daughters their money - £9,000. Tracey is called down for her opinion. After some whispered discussion she tells him that she, and their girls will still be there at the end of this, the money may or may not. Connell’s decision – No deal.

Round 5
Mark is instructed to sit in front of the big one shielding it from being chosen – unsuccessfully.

Nick kicks off this round with - £250,000. Silence reigns.
Paul box 8 - £50
John box 2 £5,000
The still silent studio hears the offer of £900 and the swift reply – no deal.

Round 6
Lance, box 10 - 10p
Otis, box 6 - £750
Sharon, box 9 – 1p is called for - £10 is found – to the huge delight of the studio.
Connell is left with 1p and £10,000 – he has seemed resigned to going to the end since the £250,000 was wiped off the board. Now we see if his slogan is a fashion statement or not with an offer of £2,000 – The banker clearly wants to see the gamble.

It’s ‘no deal’ from a slightly subdued Connell and Tracey has her head in her hands. The phone is ringing before the applause ends to offer the swap – Connell has already told us his lucky number is 7 – the box still out on the wing not the one in front of him. He gives the nod and Noel carries away box 22 he sincerely hopes he is not bringing the 1p to the next member of that exclusive club.

Noel then opens the swapped box - number 7, to reveal - 1p.
Two new members have joined from the last 3 games.

Tracey is there to support her other half and it seems they are completely united despite going home with nothing. I suspect they will one day take their girls to Disneyland – a happy family I think.

Connell won - 1p

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Buddy's Game Report

Buddy was Saturday's player, taking the walk of wealth with box 19 - a seasoned gambler, he felt he was 'flookie' - Kenneth McKellar was alive and well and sitting in front of Noel. Buddy, was David Wilson from Twickenham, he had dreamt about the banker chasing him, but he woke up before finding out what happened. Buddy spoke with a husky east-end accent, somewhere between the Kray Brothers and Michael Caine.

Round one: Nev, box 2 - £250,000, the audience sighed, and immediately Buddy changed his plan. Lindsay, box 22 - £750. Steph, box 8 - £500. Sandra, box 20 - £1000. Paul, box 14 - 10p. The opening offer was £1300 which Buddy understood and rejected immediately.

Round two: Helen, Box 18 - 1p. Adam, the new guy, box 4 - £100. Sharon, box 17 - £15,000. The offer was £13,000, surprisingly high. Mark, Khanny and Sandra advised to continue, Buddy mentioned that 13 was his lucky number - and then he said 'No deal'.

Round three: Georgio, box 12 - £20,000. Nick, box 1 - £50,000 - 'uh we are going to pieces now', said Buddy. Connell, box 15 - £250. But the board was still stong, six reds against 5 blues. Buddy thought the banker would stick, and certainly that seemed optimistic given the round that had just gone, but the offer was actually £16,000. 'I like to play the game, thats my trouble', said Buddy, and he added 'no deal'

Round four: Lance, box 10 - £5. Monica, box 5 - £75,000. Nagiyah, box 7 - £5000. The board now showed four reds against four blues with £100,000 as the highest red. The banker claimed to be irritated by Buddy speculating that the banker might drop down to £1300, the offer was now £13,000. Connell thought this was 'a bit of a hard one', Sarah felt he should gone on. Buddy was clearly giving it thought, but ended with 'no deal' and then he had to stand.

Round five: Sarah, box 11 - . Otis, box 6 - £10. 'One more' begged Buddy. The audience started to chant Buddy. Chis, box 15 - £50. Buddy was smiling from ear to ear, 'what a good time to do the perfect round' said Noel. The banker wanted to know what was in the book, and Buddy let him - Buddy was looking for £50,000. The offer now was £27,500. The board had four reds against one blue. 'I don't like that number...27...nah'. Buddy gave this offer a lot of thought, the camera had time to close in on his face - 'no deal'

Round six: John, box 3 - £10,000. 'Two more', said Buddy like Frank Butcher. Debbie, box 9 - £1 - no blues left - lowest was now £3000. Straight away he went to Khanny, box 21 - £35,000. The gambler was now left with a choice between £3000 and £100,000, now we would find out if Buddy was a professional or an excited amateur. The banker said 'in this situation I am powerless'. The offer was now £50,000, the banker was calling his bluff. 'I am here to play the game' said Buddy, puffing and drinking his tea. But BUddy was a professional, he dealt, good for him!

Noel opened Buddy's box, he only had £3000. The £100,000 was in Mark's box 13.

This game reminded me of games of old; not as great as Gaz or Morris, but Buddy played in a steady manner, he stayed in control and the audience reactions seemed to be much more in proportion to the events as they unfolded - I actually enjoyed that!! The banker, having been told Buddy's desired amount, had indeed chased him - funny things dreams.

Buddy won £50,000

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Sue's Game Report

by Olivia

The boxes arrive on the scene and we join them. Noel welcomes and points out that there has been no quarter mil winner yet, but Noel wants to be positive on this Wednesday and is hoping we have the first one today.
Sue takes the walk of wealth today. A very calm looking woman who looks like she’s got her head set right. She strides across to the ‘crazy chair with a wide smile on her face. Does Sue have the formula for success? She carries on the usual routine and shows us some pictures of her ‘appy days’ but does not spend to long on them, maybe not trying to give to much away.

Sue is a gambler and that must be why she so calm she has her lucky coin with her and she’s ready to go.

Sue has box 16 with the unknown amount and in round one Steph has box 3. Steph’s box contains £10 and is a good start for Sue's game. Connell is next with box 21 chosen because Sue's daughter will be 21 soon. Sue's daughter cost her £100,000 so Sue changes the system but any parent should know that daughters aren’t cheap. Sue threatens to have a scrap with Connell but is distracted by Noel and goes on to choose box 5 containing 5,000. Next, box 4 held by Sarah who gets a grilling from Noel contains £1,000 Box 6 held by Simon has £100. Not a bad round apart from the £100,000.

Sue loves gambling and she does seem pretty calm on this one.
But she only gambles what she knows she can afford to lose, maybe the banker will pick up on the fact that she’s a practical woman

A brief mothers meeting chat from Noel and the Banker and we find out that the Banker is in fact is taking icy plunge baths, along with lance. (Sorry you must give me a moment I am currently trying to get rid of terrible images!!!) The Banker has latched onto sue saying that she only gamble s what she can afford. And he offers £6,400 not the best offer but ok for the board and the Banker thinks Sue is a smart cookie. No deal of course

Next round stats with Buddy and box 18, 10p - great cheers. Mark 8 had 100,000 yesterday and has 75,000 adding himself to Sue’s hit-list along with Connell and maybe, by the end of this game, the banker, if he’s stupid enough to mess with Sue.
Giorgio from the east wing starts our break for us with a very foreign accent ha. I always thought he was just faking it. Back to the game and Sue looks nervous and asks noel where he wants to go. Sue lives at number 13 and wants to choose box number 13.She should know that her house is blessed as box 13 contained £5.mNow there is a slightly strange moment in Sue’s game which I honestly didn’t expect! Sue has found a beetle on her table and she along with Noel has decided it must be named as it is a lucky beetle and the beetle knew name is Neal short for Neal or no Neal. Not recovering from the insanity the banker calls and tells us all about his pet beetle who was name Ringo, how very interesting. After that rather unusual moment the banker tells us his offer is £9,400. – Not bad. Sue looks serious but she is not disappointed and says no deal to 9,400

Next round.
Helen and box 7contains £1. Lance and number 10 give the £35,000 his number does not match his shirt. Chris and Box 12 take £50 out of the game. Noel can’t read Sue, which I’m guessing is the point for Sue. She has got her head set in the right place
For luck she sniffs Noels lucky tea bag after some persuasion Noel confirms that this is a new teabag. My question is how can it be a lucky teabag if he changes it!!??! The banker is offering 12,4000 there is some reaction from Sue but again difficult to tell whether this is good or bad. Sue is brave with a grave face and says no deal to £12,400.

Lindsay with box 2 has 1p well done says Noel to Sue you’ve got the formula,
Telling people what they’ve got in the box. Noel has a go and tells us that Box 20 will have 50p. Box 20 holds £10,000 not bad, but not 50p Noel! I don’t think the formula works for him. The game seems to be taking its toll on poor Neal (the bug) so for Neal’s sake Noel calls a break. Awww poor Neal it must be difficult playing deal or no deal when you’re a BUG!!!

Neal is still working his magic says Noel. This is getting ridiculous but I shall try and embrace the madness until the end of the game. Box14 contains the 50p, received by loud cheers.nThe banker calls for a chat and is bewildered about what the hell is going on. He certainly isn’t the only one. He is empathetic for poor Neal, who is currently wriggling around with his feet on the air, and offers a quid to get him back on his feet. The offer is £18,401. Oh Dear God!! The tension is suddenly built to a peak as we wait to see, not if Sue takes the deal but if poor Neal who has stopped moving is in fact alive not. The whole room is watching in utter terror to find the outcome of the new game, Neal or no Neal. Luckily the outcome is Neal and everyone can relax as Neal begins to wave his feet in the air again. The poor fellow is still upside down.

Paul with box7 steals £250,000 from the game. Neal stopped and so has the game. It’s now on for the £50,000. Linda and box 22 take £750 from the game greeted by cheers.
Next Sharon and box 19 take £15,000 from the game but Sue says it’s ok. The banker is quick to call and the offer is now £8,401, keeping the Neal back on his feet fund going. However he wants it back if Neal dies before the end of the show. Sue deals but, has she put her gambling tactics to good use and proved that a good gambler knows when to stop?

She is now trying to take out £50,000 and chooses box 15 with Giorgio.
It’s £3,000 and would have been a good start. The applause is tentative. But she moves onto box 9 from Deb which contains £250.This would have been perfect. She has her last chance to get £50,000 out but picks Box 1 holding £500. This would have been the dream scenario for the gambler who went too soon, the offer would have been £34,401 but she would not have stopped there. Finally we open Sue’s box, she could have won £50,000 if she had actually carried on but Sue looks ok, she’s got the deal or no deal duo, Noel and Neal, to keep her company. Otis ends the game with the £20,000 in his box.

Now, the question is, out of the bug, the coin, and the teabag (yes I know this sounds strange!!) which one was the lucky one?!?! If any??

I do not want to end this report on a bad note but I am sorry to say that Neal, the lucky beetle, ended his life on Wednesday the 12 of July. Neal was a good bug and only ever did his best.

Sue won £8,401

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

Its good to talk

Donduk chat has been under test now for about three weeks, and while basic, it does its job.

As well as chat you can play a version of countdown (because most of us watch countdown while waiting for Dond to start) - one person (the Lynham) produces 9 random letters, and then the others enter words using the CDown button. At this point all you see is a number for each player - how many letters are in that person's word - when all the players have entered a word, Lynham enters '/countdown' to reveal all the words that were entered, and the winner of the round gets the points.

The problem we are having is that people are arriving at the chat at different times and so missing each other, can I suggest you all come to the chat area at 4.00pm, i.e. 15 minutes before Dond starts, and then chat during the game, or for the More 4 show at 6.00pm.

If you find the chat area clunky, thats because its like me and I wrote the code, and if you have ideas on how it can be improved then don't hesitate, ìnsults don't affect me, I've been trained by experts.

Monday, July 10, 2006

Pierre's game

Pierre’ game box 18
Pretty Pierre is in the spotlight and grasps the sudden opportunity to boast about his champion qualities in martial arts.
An Italian personal trainer who actually thinks that people who want to work out all day are nutters, strange? Girlfriend Laura sat in the audience will be the one he looks to when he needs to come back down to earth.

Round one
Otis 17- 1p (unlucky in Italy)
Box 13- £50,000
Sandra 1- 10p
Giorgio 3- £1000
Paul 11- £15,000
Bankers offer- £10,000
An offer that the banker thinks resembles the weight of his head!
Pass the sick bucket as Pierre blabbers on about respect in life, someone remind him it’s a game not relationship counselling and while doing so tell him to SIT DOWN!

Round two
Lindsey 22- £3000
Linda 7- £5000 ( his left hand companion)
As I don’t watch every episode religiously, It maybe me just being ‘special’ but who the hell is Rita?
Sally 8- £250 (after exposing her secret dreams about a minority of the studio)
Bankers offer £18,000

Round three
Helen 4-£100
Sue 19- £500
Chris 12-£35,000
A good round not a major blow with that third as he still has the top three, a stable board.
Bankers offer £24,000
The banker is intimidated by Pierre as he shamefully admits that karate means empty hand and he is scared and thinks he will end up with one.

Round four
Connell 9- £20,000
John 10- £250,000 (ooooooooouuuuuuuuuuuups)
Lance 14- £10,000
The banker’s feelings have changed dramatically and he is no longer scared but confident in his financial fitness. Ha ha ha did you get that little joke that he subtlety slipped in there.
I can’t help but think he is being seriously influenced by that thing he has latched on his left shoulder there. She is obviously influencing that and has really let him no that he wont be very popular if he says no deal
Bankers offer £7000 DEAL
O how smug she looks as he does what she wants him to do, what a wimp!

Round five
Mark 15- £50
Buddy 20-£5
Sharon 5- 50p
He was so due a blue round and after that I really think she should be in the dog house. As she stands there it really annoys me to look at her I mean how far is she shoved up her own……..
Bankers offer£24,000

Round six
Monica 15-
Debbie 2 -£100,000
Nick 21- £1
Bankers offer- £30,000

His box 18 was £10 and to conclude the £75,000 was in box number 6. I really feel quite sorry for Pierre because it seems to me that he would have gone on and he seems to be a really nice guy. I think that his game was snatched by her turning it into Laura’s since she left her seat in the audience. I think everyone reading will agree with me that the money he has just won will be snatched also when they get home, she looks high maintenance to me!
A good game to begin the week, lets hope that the rest aren’t so influenced.

Pierre won £7,000

Georgia

More "glass half-empty" views

I really do like DOND and hate to sound pessimistic, but by its very nature the show gives itself a limited lifespan. Compare it to Countdown, that other teatime gameshow stalwart, and this becomes clear. Countdown has an equally simple structure, it's a game that anyone can play, with a set number of rounds and basic gameplay rules - make the longest word you can, get the target number, solve the conundrum. The reason it could easily stick around as long as the medium of television lasts is that a substantial level of skill is needed to properly succeed - in this sense the game is not simple at all.

Format-wise, very little has changed on Countdown. They've moved it around the schedules a few times, recently extended it to 45 mins and obviously had to make an enforced change of presenter, but even then the gameplay itself has not changed - the producers know they can't alter the core of the show because this is from where its popularity stems (and viewers have hardly taken to the above changes with universal enthusiasm).

DOND is a game of pure luck. As we know, the only possible element of skill is in attempting to receive higher offers by positively influencing the banker. It's an amazingly simple concept, and Endemol have cleverly packaged it in such a way as to make the programme highly addictive. But it's a concept with a sell-by-date, because however well they choose the contestants and however much you end up rooting for them, there are only so many times you can watch such a simple game without getting bored of the inherent repetition of it all. You can't play along in the same way as Countdown. The structure of the game absolutely can't be changed because this is what made it so successful in the first place, unfortunately this is also its greatest weakness. Giving the show a cosmetic revamp would be the proverbial deckchairs on the Titanic scenario (although that music isn't half getting on my nerves).

Endemol have arguably hastened the show's demise by pushing it too hard (I've certainly yet to find a person who thinks Double Deal week was a good thing), this is symptomatic of a modern culture where anything popular has to be relentlessly exploited for maximum instant gain, and long-term planning be damned. I suppose they might argue that if the show does have a limited shelf-life then they are simply milking their cash cow while they can. If you asked most viewers though, I think we'd rather see the show cut back to 2 or 3 episodes a week in order to try and get some of the old excitement back. There's still the promise of a 250K win to keep a lot of us tuned in. Once that goes, it really could be time to call it a day.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Can Endemol get DOND back on track?

Double deal week has been like a super volcano, where effects continue long after the event. We are struggling to develop relationships with contestants, when they walk to the front, I am almost left wondering if I have seen them before. Noel is exhausted, his phrases tired; players too seem battle hardened and weary, jaded responses to losing power 5 boxes saying it all.

In the Atlanta Olympics the UK team kept losing and saying it didn't matter, they'd had a great time and that was what counted - we the great British public said 'NO - they were there to win, they had failed, and that was what counted!' We needed our athletes to win victoriously or feel desolute in defeat. So it is with DOND - it was heart-breaking to watch Clare crying her eyes out as she left with £1500, but it was complelling. Watching Gaz win £100,000 was fantastic because of Gaz's courage and the reactions of Gaz, his wife, the audience and everyone else; the program finished and I walked around with a good feeling for the rest of the night. But now we are in the land of mediocrity and frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

What makes DOND different is the relationship that builds between the contestants and us the audience, and this has largely been achieved through Noel's mastery of the art of compare. But now Noel is tired, and the show is tired, and we are tired - we probably need a break, and we certainly need something to restore the tension and excitement of shows earlier in the year.

Hit Parade - Chart 17

Its not the top of the chart that sparks most interest this week, but the bottom - can Noel really be on his way out of the top ten? Even my own sweet mum said this week that Noel has become 'boring, because he is always saying the same things'....poor Noel. (Sue reckons it was the double deal week that did for him). Other than that we lost Jo and regained Raj while the Banker continues to work on your dark side, all of which just goes to show how immemorable contestants and shows have been recently.

1. Dave W (Dave W)
2. Lucy (Lucy)
3. Kirsty (Kirsty)
4. Banker (Pat M)
5. Pat M (Banker)
6. Becca (Becca)
7. Joseph (Noel)
8. Suzanne (Suzanne)
9. Raj (Jo)
10.Noel (Joseph)

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Nick M's Game Report

Its Noel in a deck-chair (his shirt) – according to Noel Roy taught contestants not to be psychologically beaten by the banker – he showed them all how to keep going. ‘Do me a favor’ said Noel in his best Essex, ‘lets make our first quarter-of-a-millionaire on this Saturday night’.

Tonight its Nick M, his head specially shaved for the occasion, he nonchalantly walked down the aisle with box 16. Nick Martin from Blackpool cares for his wife Di following a serious car accident. Di was in the audience; ‘such a privilege and honour to be here’, she said. Noel said that he had not been looking forward to this game; Nick was an ominous looking character. Nick claimed to be a nice guy; a tall, lean, muscular man with a quiet voice and a dark goatee beard, surely the first hit-man to play DOND. He had a target and a comment to put in the book.

[Chris was back from her migraine.]

Round one: Pierre box 22 - £5. Nick D, box 5 - £750. Otis, box 1 - £500. Surely Noel would say something, but he didn’t so the karma was still strong. Nickea, box 7 - £1000. ‘As good as blue’, said Noel, he had to say something didn’t he, then Lance, box 3 - £50,000….of course. The audience took a while to clap, like an old car starting up. Nick showed pictures of his four children (two were his and two Di’s from an earlier relationship) and of course the pre-requiste pit bull terrirer, the preferred tool of any mechanic. The banker reckoned the contestants cost him £24,500 yesterday, and he wanted it back. The offer was £7700. ‘No deal’ said with confidence and steel.

Round two: Georgio, box 12 - £100. Steph, box 10 - £15,000, again the audience were unsure, and even when they clap its not convincing. Linda, box 14 - £50. Nick hated the weather in Blackpool, he wanted the money to buy a bar in some hot climate. The banker was tired of looking at Nick, his offer now was £15,000. Noel, without prompting, asked some of the contestants, Debbie said, ‘its a good offer, but there is more on the board’. No deal said Nick, and the audience got a little louder, but we were still in Countdown territory.

Round three: Sharon, box 11 - £3000, Sandra box 18 - 50p. ‘Starting to get into unsettling’, said Noel. Lindsay, box 19 - £250,000. ‘Gutted’ said Nick; Noel looked to Di – ‘Gutt’d’, she (almost) repeated. The offer was now £10,000. ‘Good offer’ said someone from the audience. Noel asked if Nick needed help, ‘I don’t think so…no deal’ said Nick quietly.

Round four: Monica, box 20 - £100,000. Paul, box 4 - £35,000. ‘What an unbelievably destructive round’ said Noel. He said it as if he thought it was the end of the round, in which case he would have been right as the last three had all been from the power five, but of course the £250k was in the previous round. Mark, box 8 – £1. Noel made fun of Nick’s attempt to select another box, apparently oblivious to his own mistake moments earlier. The board now had four blues against four reds with the £75,000 at one end, and one 1p at the other. The offer now was £6123. Nick was a cool as a cucumber – ‘No deal’.

Round five: Sue, box 21 - £10. Debbie, box 6 – 1p – Nick was finally becoming animated, punching the air with his fist. Chris, box 1 - £75,000. Nick unflustered. Top prize left was now £20,000. The offer was £5001. Nick calmly looked at the board. Noel asked Di to come down to join him – ‘five toosand is a lot of money’, said Di in best Glaswegian. Nick agreed, but said ‘no deal’. Di whinced.

[Point of order – not all Scottish people speak with a Glaswegian accent, not even all Glaswegans. I get very irritated by shows such as Casualty and The Bill, having drunks and thieves portrayed by actors who can only attempt Glaswegian - they should be able to do Aberdonian and Scouse too!]

Round six: Buddy, box 9 - £10,000. Two blues against two reds. Sally, box 2 – 10p. Could Nick avoid the £20,000? Connell, box 15 - £5000. So now we were left with £250 and £20,000, the offer was £8500. Here was the moment of truth. ‘Had a great time, ready for the question’, said Nick – ‘Deal’. Nick’s eyes were glistening, almost tearful, the banker had finally found his mark.

Noel opened Nick’s box, it contained - £250. John had the £20,000 in box 22. His comment was that he wanted enough money to pay for the bar bill and a de-tox clinic after he left the hotel.

This was not a great game, Nick had worked hard on his image as a hard man, saying he was actually ‘nice’ was a bit like Don Carleoni saying he was ‘just a good fella’, it left me unsympathetic to his game, almost anti in fact.

Nick won £8500.

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Linda's Game Report

[Tonight's report is by Olivia and Sue - unfortunately Olivia was delayed and missed the first 20 minutes, so this was added in later by Sue, many thanks to both of you - Iain]

Noel in an amazing lemon and pink creation for a shirt. The show theme appears to be –change, -your mind, small- and of change of life. The random selection is a change of position for Linda who is delighted carrying over her box no 11. Linda E has been in position for a total of 23 shows, husband Jim is in the audience for support. She has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Home now is Ramsgate but she was born a true Eastender. She is very bubbly, has earned a living amongst other things doing market stalls in Orpington. Noel already has the panel allocated characters from Eastenders the soap.

No system to follow but a few special numbers she will keep in reserve.

Round 1
Lance, box 16 is first up to the crease with £100
John, nox 3 - £50
Buddy box 4 – 10p
Vic box 12 - £750
Box 2 - £1000

A truly brilliant start with an almost all blue round. We see Linda’s pics Matt age 18 and Taylor aged 12 and Olivia and Gracie are all her grandchildren.
The phone call comes with an offer of £14,000 which is rejected by bubbly Linda who is keen to play on.

Round 2
Linda B, box 7 - £500
Georgio box 10 £100,000 from the Italian in the jaunty angled trilby.
Sally box 9 – takes us to ‘rotura’ from Georgio which is Italian for break. Sally has £35,000 in her box.

Not such a good round, Noel, Linda and Jim are all agreed but still optimistic. The offer is £11,000 – swiftly despatched without reference to anyone – no deal. Noel declares her jollity to be infectious.

Round 3
Otis, (Newbie, who looks remarkably like Johnathen from BB) box 22 - £50,000
Debs, box 13 - 1p
Lindsay, box 5 - £10
There is some suggestion regarding the contents of Linda’s dond mug. The banker thinks she is hammered. The offer is £16,000 at this point. Jim in the audience is asked for his thoughts. He advises his wife to carry on. No deal is the decision.

OK – over to Olivia who had a nightmare trying to get back in time for the whole of last night’s show.
Sue



After teasing noel for a bit with her facial expressions Linda no deals and with some positive energy we are looking forward to round 4.

Round 4: Linda’s choice is box 21 with Pierre; he produces 15,000 with a mixed reception and some people not quite able to make up their minds about this number it is decided that Linda can afford for 15,000 to go. Next she chooses box 8 with Monica and notes that in China number 8 is a lucky number but then comes to her senses as she realises that in actual fact we aren’t in China. Box 8 produces £3,000 that was fine for Linda.
Linda next chooses Mark with box 15 and as we all could tell from Noel and his flowery patterned shirt that he was going to call a break. I hate when Noel does this because usually there is a bad number after break which often kills the game but we arrive back on the deal or no deal scene and all is calm as Mark produces £10,000.A pretty decent round. It’s a scary game says Noel but the banker offers £20,000 which isn’t at all scary in fact it’s lovely says Linda. I see the words deal in Jim’s mouth, literally, and looking quite shocked that the words came from her mouth Linda deals at £20,000.

Round 5: Linda chooses Paul with box 20 and gives us the £75,000, if she hadn’t have dealt this would have been a bad start but it’s a good start for Linda. Chris with box 6 gave us the £250 but Linda does need to find the quarter mil.
Linda’s next choice is Nick with box 18 he takes £5 out of the game, not what Linda needed to go. This would not have been a bad round.
The banker is thanking Jim again for encouraging Linda to deal at this point the offer would have been £30,000 and the offer that was denied to her the first time was taken from her grasp again and she would have got away with it too if it wasn’t for that pesky Jim! Sorry this is not Scooby Doo this is deal or no deal.

Round 6: Sue starts us off with box 1 and the 50p wouldn’t have been a bad start. Next is box 14 which holds the £5,000. It is now absolutely crucial that Linda gets the quarter mil away from the board or this would have been the perfect game and she chooses Connell to be the man to do this for her and he does his job well as the £250,000 slides from the board. Well done Connell.

If she played on, all that she would have had left would be £1 and £20,000 and the offer would have been £9,000. Interestingly to match her offer Linda has £20,000 in her box but the question is has she beaten the banker or not?
Anyway, all Linda ever wanted was £20,000 and that’s what she got. As Noel states, everyone is happy.

Monday, July 03, 2006

Paul's Game Report

Paul’s game box number 6

Georgia here. Paul known as silver fox (only reason can think of is his hair) has been told he will out fox the banker in his cunning ways. He is a chef and after being on the show for 18 games still has no game plan.

Round one
7 Lindsey- 1p
13 Lance (professor farty) - £1000
19 Sharon- 10p
Monica-£3000
1 Vick- 50p

O my gosh!! how creepy is that!! He has simply zig zagged his way down the board from left to right in his first round and even when Noel predicted the next one in accordance to what was happening, he was still right. Its so strange, and like Noel says it is such a neat and tidy job. Noel confesses he cant be convinced with a wink, personally I think not and when pretty Piere takes the seat I see things changing.

Bankers offer is £13000 (top three in the highest opening offer) no deal

Round two
3 Nighya- £250
21 Pierre- £20,000
18 Mark- £100

Bankers offer £19,000- no deal

Round three
14 Alan- £750
8 Roy- £250,000(and claims that Paul is so much madder than a hatter)
10 Georgio- £35,000
Bankers offer £9500- no deal

Round four
17 Debbie- £500
2 Linda- £10,000
9 Sally- £100,000
Bankers offer £7500- no deal

Round five
15 Nick-£15000
4 Buddy- £50
12 Connell- £5000
Bankers offer £17500- no deal

Round six
16 Linda - £5
5 Chris- £50,000
22 John- £10

A really good round there, one that, lets face it we all expected to go terribly wrong. The key thing that the banker spotted was he went against his colleagues and it shows courage, and I think he has done it justice and I am really happy at the ……..

Bankers offer £32,000 DEAL!

A sigh of relief echoes around the studio and everyone is happy. We go on to find that money does go with funny the box 6 is the £1 and box 20 is £75,000. A good game and I think that even though we all hated that girly laugh of his and the continuous winks, we are all really happy for Paul.A truly expensive start to the week, and one with a smile.

Paul won £32,000

Sunday, July 02, 2006

Mark's Game Report

Hurray!! One of our readers came to the rescue, I am in-debted to Toby Rogers for ensuring that we have not missed a single report since 8th March. Maybe Toby will write more reports in the future, please comment below on his report. Toby, thank you again.

Iain

Hello all, I am Toby Rogers and this is the report for Mark's game, today is the 30/06/06. Noel introduces the start by saying the usual things, he also commented on Amy’s game the day before when she won £9,950. We now move on the the contestant selection and it turns out todays player is Mark.W from the end of the west wing. Marks full name is Mark Wilkes. He is a Telesales manager for a home improvement firm. Noel tells a story how Mark and a few friends got into a car, and decided whether to go left or right on the toss of a coin, and says they ended up in Wrexham. The audience laugh

Round one. Mark chooses box 3 with Georgio who reveal £1 for a brilliant start. Then chooses box 13 with Linda.E she reveals the £250,000, all she can say is Oh no. Mark then selects his neighbour Sue to open her box 11, 10p. He then goes to Janelle and box number 1, £35,000 is revealed. Noel comments that another power 5 amount has gone. Box 22 is then opened containing £5,000. Mark says he has certainly seen better starts than that, the banker calls and offers Mark £2,400. Mark says no deal quickly.

Round two. We start by opening Pauls box 20 which has 1p, Massive cheers and relief enter the game, next box 21 which is opened by Vic to reveal the fiver. Mark then selects 17 with Sally, we are off to the break. After the break Sally opens her box and completes an all blue round by revealing £250. The banker calls back and quadruples the offer to a chunky £9,600. once again Mark says No deal.

Round three. Pierre starts this round with number 16. £750. We then move to Lance with box 9, it contains 50 pence. Noel says there have been 5 blues in a row after saying that £10,000 was revealed by Connell with box 6. another Good round there. Mark now gets a very fair offer of £17,000 which is certainly not to be sniffed at. A few box openers give advice telling him to go on. Mark is sure there is more money in this game so he says no deal.

Round Four. Box 4 is opened to reveal yet another blue (£500) the blue side of the gameboard is diminishing steadily. Linda B from the east wing then reveals £50,000 in box number 2, its starting to fall. we then go for a break. Box 14 is opened to reveal £1,000. Another good round except for the £50,000. an offer is given to Mark of £17,000 the banker has stuck. Mark a little less confidently says no deal. The camera goes to Sue who stands next to Mark who really wants mark to do well and is smiling.

Round five. Mark chooses box 10 and alas £75,000 is revealed followed by many groans. Roy then is instructed to open box 7 that reveals £100 (very good). Mark is now so unsure which box to open he flips a coin, he plucks for Mark A the new player of today. With box 18. £50 is revealed Mark is safe (for the minute). The offer goes down to £10,000 the audience boo, and the box openers look annoyed with such a low offer which I thought was quite fair, Mark instantly says you can ask me the question, one box opener (I think it was Chris shouted “think about it” Mark says No Deal. Amounts remaining are £10, £3,000 £15,000, £20,000. and the mighty £100,000.

Round Six. Chris reveals £15,000 from box 19, there are a few gasps, Alan with box 12 opens it and it contains £3,000 the roof is nearly lifted with cheers, The final box number 20 is opened by Monica to reveal £20,000. Oh well at least it wasn’t £100,000.

Two box showdown

£10 V £100,000

The banker is so adamant that Mark will take the offer that he says if he says no deal he can have the swap.

The offer is a fair £30,000. Mark instantly says Deal very sensibly. Mark was then asked if he would have swapped the box, so they swap marks box 8 for box 5 which had the £100,000. Marks original box had the tenner.

To sum up Mark technically beat the banker as he only all along had £10 in his box

Mark won £30,000

Saturday, July 01, 2006

Janelle's Game Report

And far away in some recess
The Lord and the Devil are now playing chess,
The Devil still cheats and wins more souls,
And as for the Lord, well, he's just doing his best...
(Spanish Train, Chris De Burgh)


Ok - its Saturday, and I am back in the saddle waiting for Hi Ho Silver himself to smile into action - and like all the good guys he is dressed in white, at least off white, well cream really, but underneath the jacket is the mandatory kaleidescopic shirt - this time dalmation meets smarties.

Tonight its Janelle - a Nubian princess - she walked to the front with box 15. Janelle was a mental health issues support worker for a local project in Croyoen. A 'demanding environment' suggested Noel. 'Yes' she said and I realised I was going to struggle with her accent. It was about money for Janelle, she wanted to set up an organisation for young kids in her area, and then immediately burst into tears - the audience not far behind all wanted Janelle to become the new Florence Nightingale.

Round one: Janelle had a couple of pieces of paper with some highlighted numbers drawn on them in a form similar to the board - it was her system, and she was keeping it secret. Linda, box 3 - £100,000, 'oh my word no', said Noel. Chris, box 17 - £15,000. 'Got to break the reds' said Noel to the red-shirted Janelle. Debbie, box 20 - £750. Lance, box 21 - £1000. 'This is serious out there' said Janelle, but not adding 'yo gansta'. Sue, box 11 - £10. The banker was complaining that Janelle was giving nothing away - she probably was but he couldn't understand the accent either. The offer was £5000. 'I'm ready to crack on' said Janelle, 'No deal'.

Round two: Janelle was looking irritated, 'box 16 Mark, NO SORRY', this was shouted out as one might bark 'fire' in a firing squad. Eventually Sally, box 8 - £50,000. 'Ooooo' said Noel. Alan, box 22 - 1p - and for the first time since the start, the audience whooped. Janelle just didn't look happy, in fact she seemed angry, 'Does this frighten you?' asked Noel, concerned for Janelle's nerves,. He didn't say 'I know where you live and I am going to strangle your teddy bear', but from the way Janelle rounded on him you might have thought he had - 'I'm not frightened', she said, building the wall higher. Linda, box 19 - £10,000. 'What do you think?' asked Noel. 'I am a bit cheesed that its gone, I won't lie', said Janelle in the same way as the Queen of Hearts said 'off with his head'. The banker described his offers as being like Janelle - the first offer was warm and soft, and this was icy cold - £2500. She wasn't going to tell what her system was because she was unhappy with the banker's offer.

Round three: Nagiyah, box 12 - £5. Noel walked around, hands in pockets, bearded just like an old white plantation owner - was this upsetting Janelle? Janelle took an age to make up her mind sabou the next box, so the banker phoned to say he was popping out but he would be available on the mobile. Then she went for Roy, box 7 - and then 'No', Noel made greta fun of this, admonishing her for not thinking before she spoke. Gorgio, box 6 eventually - 10p. Vic, box 14 - £1. An excellent round for the ice maiden, so called because she moved like a glacier. Janelle suggested that the tea was actually champagne, I don't blame Endemol, anything to get her to smile. The offer this time was £12,000. The board contained sx reds against five blues, with the £250k and £75k still in play. Maybe Janelle was angry about being rushed? Connell said the board is not bad, but she knew her own mind - she certainly didn't. But she said No deal anyway.

Round four: Mark, box 16 - £75,000 - so she was right about changing her mind earlier. John, box 10 - £50. After the break Sharon, Box 9 - £20,000. Four reds against four blues, but she still had the £250k in play. The offer now was £8500, punishing her for the loss of £75k. Janelle looked as angry as ever - 'No deal'.

Round five: Noel was treating her with kid gloves, walking round her with his body angled away - he didn't want to be there. Monica, box 18 - £250,000. In her head Janelle was writing out a contract on Monica, or maybe Noel. Pierre, box 1 - £3000. Connel, box ? - £500. The banker's offer was £3300, he hoped she would take it because he was an old man, and he wanted to see the end of the game. But she said No deal'.

Round six: Paul, box 4 - £35,000. Only £5000 left. Janelle licking her wounds like an injured bear. Nick, Box 2 £100. Buddy, box 13 - £250. The offer was £1300. No deal said Janelle, shaking her head at her losses. The banker offered the swap and she took it. Box 7 replaced box 15, and then Noel opened it, she had done it - £5000. The 50p was in Roy's box 15 - and Janelle smiled.

Beautiful but deadly, some of my friends might describe Janelle as high maintenance, but maybe when you work in a charity project in Croyden, you become battle-scarred. Janelle was like an alein, as if she had just left Hell on a week long break - the people around her laughed and joked because they came from happy places, but she belonged to a war zone. She played with plenty of guts, but it was not a happy game, it was dificult to watch....and it made me feel guilty.

Janelle won £5000

Hit Parade - Chart 16

So it is a brave new world, where King Dave reigns supreme; he is now more than 5 clear percentage points ahead of second place, can the dungarees-clad Princess Lucy make any kind of impact on his empire. Meanwhile Kirsty has screamed into third place with that gorgeous dimpled smile and Pat M seems inexorably destined for the rear stalls. Of all the names in the top ten I am only ever surprised by the Banker, who holds steady in fifth place. Another gorgeous beauty in sixth should watch out, as I am sure Noel is keen to climb over her to get to the Banker. This week we lost Raj, but mysteriously gained the mysterious Joseph.

1. Dave W (Dave W)
2. Lucy (Lucy)
3. Kirsty (Pat M)
4. Pat M (Becca)
5. Banker (Banker)
6. Becca (Kirsty)
7. Noel (Raj)
8. Suzanne (Noel)
9. Jo (Jo)
10.Joseph (Suzanne)

Friday Chaos & Mark's Game Report

Hi, first I just want to apologise for the drop in service over the last 24 hours. I was working across the pond this week, and while winging my weary way back, the chap who should have covered Friday's show sent an email on Friday morning to say that he had to pull out of that commitment (he is a student - drinking and debauchery come first, fair enough).

There was a backup plan for this eventuality but it didn't involve the dog squashing a cream bun into the front of the video.

So I have not, as yet, been able to cover yesterday's show. If someone would like to submit a report of yesterday's game then that would be great, otherwise it will be the first game we have missed since donduk started on the 8th March.

We are now looking for a volunteer to report on Friday's shows. We are currently viewed by an average of just under 4200 visitors per day, many from the media, and quite a few who have either been players, or are waiting for their shows to be aired. If you are of the right mindset then writing the reports is great fun, and can give you a real buzz - so please get in touch with me if you would like to be considered for this post, and write something that gives us a feel for your writing ability.

The game in short, Friday's dond contestant was Mark, and he went all the way to the final round where he was left with £10 and £100,000, at which point he took the Banker's offer of £30,000 (thanks Mum). Sounds like I missed a great game.

Cheers

Iain