NBC to continue 'Deal or No Deal'

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- NBC has ordered a second go-round for its Christmas week special run of the game show "Deal or No Deal."

It is unclear how many episodes will be made, but the Howie Mandel-helmed show caught on with viewers when it ran Monday through Friday last week and will most likely be back in the spring, Zap2it.com reported.

All five shows finished in the top 15 among total viewers, peaking with 14.1 million people watching Wednesday night, Zap2it.com said.

"Deal or No Deal" tests contestants' will power by having them pick a briefcase containing an unknown amount of money. Players then eliminate the cases one by one, hoping to get rid the lowest -- worth one cent -- and be left holding the one containing $1 million.

However, a banker pops up periodically, offering players cash to give up the briefcases as they go.