Reality Rumors

A 90-minute edition of “Dancing With the Stars” attracted 17.8 million viewers on Monday, enough to make ABC the most-watched network for the night, despite trailing in the ratings from 9:30 to 11, Nielsen estimated.

Following the dancing competition, ABC’s sitcom “Samantha Who?” delivered a much more modest audience of 10.1 million viewers, and at 10, ABC fell to third place with “The Bachelor” (7.7 million), which finished behind CBS’s “CSI: Miami” (14.4 million) and NBC’s “Medium” (9.5 million).

Although second in total viewers for the night, CBS actually outperformed ABC among adults 18 to 49, earning the night’s top ratings in that demographic at 9 with “Two and a Half Men” (13.3 million). Over all, CBS’s comedy lineup from 8 to 10 averaged 10 million total viewers, about the same as NBC’s two-hour “Deal or No Deal,” which included a taped message from President Bush. NBC was third for the night, followed by Fox, which broadcast “Bones” at 8 (8.6 million) and a rerun of “House” at 9 (8 million).

By BENJAMIN TOFF; Compiled by LAWRENCE VAN GELDER

A surprise booster: Bush appears on ‘Deal or No Deal’ to root for a contestant (and war vet)

A presidential thank-you is part of the deal for a contestant on NBC’s game show, “Deal or No Deal,” when President Bush makes a surprise appearance.

The episode, airing TONIGHT, features Capt. Joseph Kobes, as he attempts to win enough cash to pay off his parents’ home. But the dealmaking is briefly halted for Kobes, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient who has served in Iraq three times. Bush surprises him by appearing on a screen to express gratitude for his service and wish him luck in the game.

Bush’s message was taped at the White House.

No details were released on how Kobes, an Army transportation officer from Sumner, Wash., fared in his quest for the jackpot.

Staff
AP News

The Georgia Supreme Court Monday gutted a federal class-action lawsuit claiming NBC’s “Deal or No Deal” constituted illegal gambling.

The decision was unanimous upholding the legality of the popular TV show’s “Lucky Case Game,” in which home viewers were invited to pick a lucky briefcase via 99-cent text messages for a chance to win $10,000, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Michael and Michele Hardin sued in federal court in Atlanta last year under an old Georgia law that calls for reimbursements for losers involved in illegal gambling.

The couple claimed the “Lucky Case Game” was an illegal lottery and sought 99-cent refunds for all U.S. “Deal or No Deal” viewers who entered the contest.

The high court’s decision in effect guts the class-action suit still pending in Atlanta, the newspaper said.

Senior U.S. District Judge William O’Kelley had sought the Supreme Court opinion after NBC asked that the lawsuit be dismissed.

The Peacock Network stopped “The Lucky Case” game after the federal lawsuit was filed.

Deal or No Deal is now having open casting at the following locations:

http://www.nbc.com/Casting/#dond3

CASTING CALLS

Saturday April 5th

Dayton,Ohio
Miami Valley Centre Mall
987 E. Ash St. Suite 169
Piqua, OH 45356
10am - 1pm

Reno, Nevada
John Ascuaga’s Nugget
1100 Nugget Avenue
Sparks, NV 89431
10am-1pm

Los Angeles
Santa Anita Park
285 W. Huntington Dr.
Arcadia, CA 91007
11am-5pm
www.santaanita.com
** Parking is $4, admission is $5

Providence, Rhode Island
Twin River Casino
100 Twin River Rd
Lincoln, RI 02865
10am-1pm

Saturday April 12th

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salt Lake City, Utah

Time & Location: TBD

For a complete list of rules, dates and times please visit :

http://www.nbc.com/Casting/#dond3

NBC has announced The Apprentice star will serve as a special guest banker for Deal or No Deal’s third-season premiere on Monday, September 17 at 8PM ET/PT.

“I’m going to be a mean, vicious banker,” Trump told Access Hollywood. “I’m actually supposed to be a tough banker and that’s what I’ll be. Inwardly I’ll be hoping they win, but we’re not allowed to give too much sympathy.”

Following its premiere, Deal or No Deal will settle into its regular time periods of Wednesdays and Fridays at 8PM ET/PT beginning September 26.

Making its way through the west the Deal or No deal casting tour bus 2007 is on the road. New stops wll be announced every 3 days.

The bus will be making the following city stops for open calls to try out for the show:
OPEN CALLS

SATURDAY, APRIL 7th
SAN DIEGO, CA
VIEJAS OUTLET CENTER
5005 Willows Rd.
Alpine, CA. 91901
10am - 2pm
www.nbcsandiego.com

TUESDAY, APRIL 10th
PHOENIX, AZ
Fort McDowell Casino
10424 N. Fort McDowell Rd. and Highway 87 Fountain Hills, Arizona
1pm - 5pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 14th
DALLAS, TX
Bankston Dodge Grand Prairie
2615 West Interstate 20
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
10am - 1pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 17th
SAN ANTONIO, TX
Sunset Station
1174 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
1pm - 5pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 21st
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
AT&T Bricktown Ballpark (Redhawk Stadium)
2 S. Mickey Mantle Rd
Oklahoma City, OK 73104
10am - 1pm

TUESDAY, APRIL 24th
KANSAS CITY, MO
Nebraska Furniture Mart
1601 Village West Parkway
Kansas City, KS 66111
1pm - 5pm

SATURDAY, APRIL 28th
NASHVILLE, TN
Dave & Busters at Opry Mills Mall
433 Opry Mills Drive
Nashville, TN 37214
10am - 1pm

TUESDAY, MAY 1st
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Bob Rohrman’s Indy Hyundai
7101 E. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
1pm - 5pm

SATURDAY, MAY 5th
DETROIT, MI
Millennium Centre
15600 J.L. Hudson Drive
Southfield, MI 48075
10am - 1pm