Howie Mandel: Game Show host!

NBC has signed comic Howie Mandel as host of its new game show, Deal or No Deal. NBC announced plans for the show earlier this year, describing it as a big, exciting game show that contains nail-biting drama and hefty cash prizes, The Hollywood Reporter said Monday. Deal starts production this week but no premiere date has been set, an NBC spokeswoman said. Mandel -- best known for his six-year stint on St. Elsewhere -- is a frequent guest on NBC's The Tonight Show With Jay Leno and recently starred in Hidden Howie, a comedy/reality show on cable's Bravo network. [UPI]