“I can help you if you’re with me.
But if you’re not, then I can definitely hurt you.”
If the player accepts an offer for less than what is in their selected briefcase, they are eliminated.
Boston Rob Mariano on ‘Deal or No Deal Island’.Monty Brinton/NBC
So what can we expect from the reality legend out on another island?
We caught up with the Robfather to find out.
Monty Brinton/NBC
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So tell me why you decided to do this show.
Kim Mattina, Rob Mariano, Miranda Harrison, Alyssa Klinzing and Dawson Addis on ‘Deal or No Deal Island’.Monty Brinton/NBC
How is the gameplay and strategy you better use similar to and different fromSurvivor?
It’s not alliances, it’s not voting, it’s not what I’m used to.
Youve got to understand that the rules for this show are not written.
Aron Barbell and Boston Rob Mariano on ‘Deal or No Deal Island’.Monty Brinton/NBC
So that was a little bit of an exercise in trial and error.
I think everything that I’ve done up till now lent itself to this show.
The experience of playingSurvivorand finding whatever edge exists throughout the format is something that I thrive at.
Boston Rob Mariano on ‘Deal or No Deal Island’.Patrick Ecclesine/NBC
I’m really good at it.
I know if you have a crack in the armor, I’m going to find it.
And do you want to be put up and do you want to be safe?
But that’s like all of the shows, right?
All of the strategy competition shows have to evolve.
Otherwise, very quickly once the contestants figure it out, then it becomes predictable.
It’s going to make it very exciting for the audience to watch.
I mean, I’m going to own it.
I’m not going to pretend like I’m not me.
I have a reputation.
I’ve been doing this for over 20 years.
So it’s a combination of both.
And if I can keep myself safe, and you’re going to target me?
You know what happens, Dalton.
One player on the show describes working with you as a Deal with the devil.
But if you’re not, then I can definitely hurt you.
How do you think the show is going to be received?
This could be the next big thing.
It really could, because it’s possible for you to play this over and over.
And you are going to see something similar to that almost every episode.
It is going to be watercooler talk for sure.
Patrick Ecclesine/NBC
I know this filmed in Panama.
Was it close to where you filmedSurvivor: All-Stars?
No, we’re near Bocas del Toro.
Listen to me: This was the Bankers private island.
It was the Five Seasons like the Four Seasons, but one better.
Some people were complaining about the elements, and I was like, These kids have no idea!
We were in a tent, we had a fan, we had food.
Dalton, the first day someone handed me a cold bottle of water out there!
I felt like I was doing something dirty.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
