DEAL US: Total Winnings List and Final Analysis of Prime-Time Season 5

It was a miraculous season full of big six figure wins, prizes, appearances and surprises, all in the show's return after an eight year hiatus (before this season, DEAL last aired in the daytime in the 2009-10 season; 30 minute episodes, do you remember them?). We've seen cameo appearances by NFL and NBA players, a former contestant coming out of the woodwork, the new 'counter-offer' feature, and the second highest non-million dollar winner ever on U.S. soil.

But hey, that's probably the beginning. The big plus is Howie returning to host, while juggling AGT out west. The tapings moved east to Universal Studios Orlando (still waiting for a live aired episode). Also the models, for the first time ever, with new models this season, there were no substitute models on the evening edition as opposed to the first four seasons. This has to be the best close-knit group of models in the U.S. franchise. Also this season's banker, who happens to be female, which is a first, after four years of the same male banker. Hence why I call her the "Bankress."

Also, the return of the "Lucky Case Game" after one season off, at least $100,000 have been won using Twitter, and as a result, '#DONDSweepstakes' was a trending topic on Twitter. Way to go fans! So to celebrate a great season, here are the total winnings from the 31 episodes from season 5:

Courtney Schlaud $500,000 (4th highest total on U.S. soil, that would have been top prize on daytime version!)
Toni Miller $455,283 (includes Chrysler Pacifica)
Andrew Shelton $310,000
Joe Veriotto $285,000
Jade Thomas/Cheryl Miles $236,174
Laura Siano $225,000
Max Reynolds $211,000
John West $200,000
Robert Evans $185,000
La'Sherrie Hogan $165,000
Missy Silverman $165,000 (plus Princess Cruise)
Lisa Glicksman $156,000
Casey Heath $133,000
Allie Teixeira $123,000
Jorge Montero $119,000
Justin Uhart $120,000 (Route 91 Festival shooting hero)
David Leeman $110,000
Shirleen Mui $105,000
Michael Chandler $71,000 (BELLATOR MMA champion/legend)
Bryce Gage $69,000
Artis Jackson $63,000 (mother was a former contestant in season 1)
Monica Durazo $54,669 (includes BMW 3 Series)
Tony Combs $48,000
Jade Delaney $37,000
Sony Avalos $34,000
Carri Nemak $34,000
George Stathoulis $25,075
Marybelle Doe $12,000
Jennifer Gelband $3,000
Kyera Chandler $700
Tony Oriente $700
Kristen Iniguez $500
Luis Green $5 (annual Christmas episode)

That's 33 contestants and millions of dollars won on the show!

The question remains, will there be a season 6? Will it remain on CNBC? Will it return to NBC? Or will an outside party shop for it, like CBS or FOX, maybe Game Show Network or FX (hehe) could get the rights, who knows? If there's a season six, there's more questions to be answered, such as the status of Howie Mandel; will he come back or maybe a new host. How many of the 26 models will return? Like previous seasons, there has been changes at the cases. Will the show continue to tape at Universal Studios Orlando? And most importantly, will the 'Million Dollar Mission' or 'Multi Million Dollar Madness' (the one with the lottery-esque chamber towards the end of season 3) return? All of the questions will be answered in the months to come.

But enjoy the summer while you can, it's hot, and if you want to have some game show fun, I'd highly suggest Press Your Luck and Card Sharks every Wednesday night this summer on ABC's 'Summer Fun and Games.' It is great those shows are back.

For now, thank you for following this blog and if there's any updates, I'll try to post them here. Have a great rest of 2019.

Morgan M.