New deal

Some of the showrunners involved in the CNBC Deal or No Deal reboot talked about the tweaks they've given to the original format.

The biggest change is that contestants will be able to make counteroffers if they think the producers, er, the banker is being too stingy. (The banker is just a human prop, of course. All the offers come from the showrunners.) Contestants can also haggle over merchandise, like a BRAND NEW CAR, that might be a part of some games.

In the p.c. department, the reboot will have a female banker. Except she will still just be a human prop, so who cares? Most importantly, as the showrunners concede, Howie will return. It's odd how the show is almost unthinkable without him. The guy's signature role will be as a game show host. And he almost turned down the job all those many years ago.

The models will also apparently get to do some more talking. They chatted plenty on the original, mostly to assure contestants that everybody really wanted them to win. It all begins again on December 5.