Why Howie Mandel Didn't Return as Banker for 'Deal or No Deal Island' Season 2

justjared.com:

The season finale of Deal or No Deal Island is airing tonight (March 25), but you won’t be seeing Howie Mandel this time. Howie, the original host of the NBC game show Deal or No Deal, made a surprise appearance in the season one finale when it was revealed that he was the banker all along.

For season two, Howie has been replaced by one of the show’s original models, who went on to become a major star. Keep reading to find out more… Last year, Howie explained why he didn’t host the show. “People ask my why didn’t I host it and I say, ‘Because they shot it right at the equator.’ It’s like 100 degrees and there’s snakes and spiders.

Sofia, who I’m a good friend of, said ‘Send Joe.’ So I did,” he said on Mario Lopez‘s iHeart radio show. The producers decided to have a female banker for season two.

NBC revealed the new Banker is a woman who “will put the Contestants through the ringer as she searches for her perfect protégé.” Meet the new Banker now!