NEWS

Kris Aquino to host America's "Deal or No Deal" with Howie Mandel

"I'm very, very honored and flattered. I'm also very excited about it. And I'm also very confident because I know that what we produced is a great show, so I know that even the Americans will still enjoy our version of Deal or No Deal," says Kris Aquino about co-hosting with America's Deal or No Deal Howie Mandel (left), who will tape a special episode called Deal or No Deal—Around the World here in the Philippines.

Noel Orsal

Kris Aquino to host America's "Deal or No Deal" with Howie Mandel

Nerisa Almo

Wednesday, April 23, 2008
08:23 PM

Rating

Dubbed as Queen of Talk and Game Shows, Kris Aquino finally met her U.S. counterpart Howie Mandel of America's Deal or No Deal.

Hours after they arrived yesterday, April 22, Howie, Scott St. John, and the rest of Deal or No Deal group attended the media junket prepared by ABS-CBN for their two-hour special episode of Deal or No Deal—Around the World, part of which will be shot in ABS-CBN studio tomorrow, April 24.

For logistics reasons, according to Endemol (producer of Deal or No Deal), the Philippines was chosen as one of the three countries that would cover "around-the-world tour" in Asia, Europe, and Africa. The group has also taped an episode in Estonia in Europe.

KRIS'S EXCITEMENT. One of the persons who is very happy upon hearing the news was Kris, who hosted two seasons of the Philippine version of Deal or No Deal. The program ended late last year.

Kris related to the media that at first she did not let herself get excited until it was finalized.

"Actually, we were still doing the original Deal or No Deal when it was brought up. Then, I said, ‘Until it's really sure, don't update me because I don't want to be disappointed.'

"And then, it was only about seven weeks ago, to be precise, that Alou said, ‘Yes, it's gonna happen. It's real.' So I said, ‘Really?!' And then, I said, ‘So, what's gonna happen? Am I sitting in the audience?' Then, they said, ‘No, you get to share the stage.' And then, I said, ‘Really?!'

"I think dahil po sa isang Filipina, natutuwa tayong lahat kapag nakikita natin si Charice Pempengco [sa abroad]. We saw her in Ellen and soon she'll be in Oprah. We feel so proud that somebody from the Philippines is there in American television. All the more for me because I've always said that the happiest years of my life were spent living in America when our family was complete," said Kris.

Adding to Kris's excitement was personally meeting Howie, who hosts Deal or No Deal in the U.S. In fact, when the media asked about her feeling being seated next to the male host, Kris answered, "Well, when ABS-CBN first bought Deal or No Deal, what they showed me was the DVD of five of his [Howie] episodes. And when I first saw it, I was just so hooked, I really felt, ‘Wow! This is so exciting!'

"Now that I'm sitting here next to Howie and knowing that his show still currently rates as number one on primetime—because in the States they have syndicated shows and they have once, twice a week—three years now. Papasok na sila sa fourth year nila sa America and it's still number one. So, it's so good to be with somebody who is that loved in America."

DIFFERENT STYLE. After watching the episodes of Deal or No Deal's U.S. version, Kris said that she already decided to have her own style of hosting the show.

Kris also said that one thing she noticed about Howie's style of hosting is his "eye contact." She added, "He really, really relates to the player. And that's because he has the power, that's the difference.

"We only have 30 minutes and with me it's always, ‘Oh God, it's gonna be edited out anyway.' And I think, that was what I wish we have, and that's what he has the luxury of. You could really feel that he got to know the player, he was sympathetic to the player.

"I knew also, by watching him, that I had to really develop my own personality because I didn't want... It's so easy to see it on YouTube, di ba? Ayoko na sabihin nila, ‘Ay, ginagaya lang niyan si Howie.' I didn't want people saying that, ‘She's just trying to copy him.'"

ENDEMOL ON KRIS. Like Kris, Howie was also able to watch several episodes of the local version of Deal or No Deal. He had nothing but praises to the Philippine's Queen of Talk and Game Shows.

"Like I said, I'm a huge fan," Howie said. "I did watch DVD and she is beautiful and funny and charming."

He also mentioned in the early part of the press conference, "She's wonderful. I think she's funny and she has a great heart and she's energetic and beautiful."

Endemol's executive producer Scott St. John agreed. "I think she's really charming. I don't understand every single word she says, but I get the emotion and I think she's wonderful."

WHY THE PHILIPPINES? Aside from logistic reasons, Howie explained why the Philippines was chosen as one of the three countries to be included in their "around-the-world tour."

"The show [local Deal or No Deal] is so well-produced and the culture is so beautiful and it's very different than ours. That's what we're doing, you know, we wanna see things that are exciting and very different than what we see in the United States, so I think the Americans are gonna love seeing that," he said.

Join us on Facebook

Pages: 1 2 Next »

Related Articles

PEP SPECIAL REPORT PART I: Why the marriage of Kris Aquino and James Yap was declared null and void February 7, 2012 12:45 AM

PEP SPECIAL REPORT PART 2 : Kris Aquino's lawyer says actress's petition to nullify marriage to James Yap was not given "special accommodation" February 7, 2012 12:43 AM

Kris Aquino: "Annulment is not a cause for joy. The truth is, it was a marriage that failed but it's a cause for optimism." February 6, 2012 09:48 AM

Kris Aquino's marriage to James Yap is now officially annulled February 3, 2012 11:56 AM

Kris Aquino keeps mum on reports the court has ruled on her petition for annulment of marriage with James Yap January 21, 2012 12:01 PM