Well, that was different.
“Deal or No Deal” had its first million-dollar winner Monday: Pregnant contestant Jessica Robinson of Sandy, Utah, who eliminated four $1 million cases from play and passed on several offers, including one that topped $500,000, according to NBC.
This was a special version of the game, dubbed “Million Dollar Mission,” in which five $1 million cases were up for grabs instead of the usual one, increasing Robinson’s chance to win.
In the final round of the case-picking game, she said “No deal!” to an offer of $561,000 from the banker, opening the case she chose at the beginning of the show to reveal her $1 million haul.
NBC called it “historic.” We call it pretty darn neat. In honor of this moment in pop-culture history, here’s a look at some familiar faces we’d also like to see win big on host Howie Mandel’s popular game show.
Winners we want to see
Lil Wayne
Trademark: “A Milli” rapper
Why it’d be cool: would cement Wayne’s status as an inescapable media personality
Spending suggestion: Trademark ninckname “Best Rapper Alive”
Barenaked Ladies
Trademark: Lovable, Canada-tinged pop songs
Why it’d be cool: Finally, an answer to the scenario posed in 1992’s “If I Had $1,000,000”
Spending suggestion: Fur coats — but not real fur coats, because that’s cruel.
Meredith Vieira
Trademark: Host of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”
Why it’d be cool: Instead of giving away checks, she’d be getting them
Spending suggestion: Pay off the bigwigs; help “Millionaire” reclaim its mainstream status
Dr. Evil
Trademark: Holding the world ransom for $1 million
Why it’d be cool: For once, the bad guy wins.
Spending suggestion: Death ray
James Frey
Trademark: Author of controversial book “A Million Little Pieces”
Why it’d be cool: A perfect excuse for another awkward confrontation on “Oprah”
Spending suggestion: A long vacation
Clint Eastwood
Trademark: Blockbuster movies
Why it’d be cool: Could be his second “Million Dollar Baby”
Spending suggestion: Put it in the bank for next project.
