NEARLY 115,000 CANADIANS APPLIED TO BE A CONTESTANT ON
'DEAL OR NO DEAL CANADA'…

MICHAEL GEORGE OF BRAMPTON, ON
WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY 7…

HIGHLIGHTS…

• Highschool teacher, 37
• Married
• Father of baby boy
• Basketball coach for "C.I.A." (Characteristics Inspiring Achievement) a non-profit basketball/mentorship program for low income youth.

• Michael's friends describe him as "inspirational and energetic – a motivator".
• Michael will keep half of his winnings for his family and donate the other half to CIA. He would like to buy a bus for the team and create some scholarships.
• He would "Deal" for a fully tricked out tour bus for the team, including TVs, tables for games, couches and bunks.He would call it the "CIA Bounce Bus."

ON GETTING PICKED…

• He arrived at the castinginterview with his supporters and kids from his CIA group. All the students did testimonials about him – they truly love him, and if it weren't for Michael, all of them said, "they wouldn't be where they are today".
• Michael will be choosing his case numbers in relation to NBA basketball player numbers.
• Michael's principal presented a pre-taped cheer from Mike's school as a surprise for the interview.

SUPPORTERS

• #1 Karen – Michael's wife.Outspoken, fun and expressive.
• #2 Jonathan – Michael's former coach and mentor/father figure. Pushing Mike to go all the way.
• #3 Fred – Michael's boss/school principal.

Press Release:

                  'Deal or No Deal Canada' Contestants Revealed

Toronto, January 26, 2007 - Global Television, along with Insight Productions and Endemol International are pleased to reveal the highly-anticipated roster of contestants for 'Deal or No Deal Canada' with Host Howie Mandel.

Jamie Cumberland - Calgary, AB
Theresa Daranciang - Portage La Prairie, MB
Michael George - Brampton, ON
Valine Kavanagh - CapeRoyal, NFLD
Donald Lucas - Grimsby, ON
Jenny Monaco - Montreal, QC
Brian Traynor - Medicine Hat, AB

Production on these five special episodes of 'Deal or No Deal Canada' took place this week in Toronto. 'Deal or No Deal Canada' debuts Sunday, February 4th, following Super Bowl XLI on Global - moving to its regular slot, Thursdays at 9pm ET, beginning Feb 8th.

Fans can also depend on ET Canada, Global News and www.globaltv.com for all the latest buzz and broadcast updates.

"We couldn't be more delighted with our roster of contestants, and the massive show of support from fans coast-to-coast. Each and every one of the thousands of applicants engaged wholeheartedly in the process we planned for them - taking ownership of the 'Deal or No Deal Canada' experience, and creating a unique energy that will really set these Canadian episodes apart," said Barbara Williams, Senior Vice President of Programming and Production, CanWest MediaWorks.

Throughout December 2006, a special team of 23 'Deal or No Deal Canada' staffers - dedicated solely to the review of all applications - created a national shortlist of possible contestants. A team of Producers then hit the road in a round of coast-to-coast casting interviews.

"We are thrilled about Canada's very own 'Deal or No Deal'," said John Brunton, President, Insight Production Company Ltd./Executive Producer, Deal or No Deal Canada. "I guarantee these homegrown contestants will amuse, entertain and make audiences proud. We can't wait to show Canadians a production of this scale, and translate the excitement into truly compelling television for fans nationwide.

For 18 days this fall, (October 31-November 17) 'Deal or No Deal' fans nationwide defined the spirit of this unique broadcast event - revealing their hopes, dreams, and personal stories in what's been called the most challenging contestant application process on record in television.

An astonishing 95,054 online and 17,713 postal applicants tackled the highly buzzed '39 question gauntlet', also known as the 'Official Deal or No Deal Canada Contestant Application Form'. The questions, ranging from the silly to the serious, clearly got Canadians thinking - not only about the million dollar prize...but also about their lives. From the inspirational to the heartbreaking, and of course, the completely wild-and-crazy, it's the fans that have laid the foundation for this truly homegrown production.