Italy’s Affari Tuoi (Deal or No Deal) delivered a night of television filled with both heartwarming moments and awkward silences on March 16th. The episode featured a tribute to a beloved game show host and a particularly uncomfortable moment for one of the show’s dancers.
The Wheel of Fortune Package
Leila, the contestant from Udine, is a self-described enthusiast of numbers, cards, and tarot. She selected package number 10, which she immediately dubbed “The Wheel of Fortune” due to its connection to the major arcana in tarot.
This sparked a wave of nostalgia, with the show’s classic theme song playing and host Stefano De Martino playfully referencing Gerry Scotti and Samira Lui’s version of the game show. Leila, however, wasn’t convinced by the package and opted to exchange it, a decision that proved wise as it contained a gag orchestrated by Herbert Ballerina. She narrowly avoided a trick prize, but not before playfully teasing her colleagues at Canale 5. The familiar theme song returned, followed by a brief, humorous exchange between De Martino and Herbert: “Compra una vocale” (“Buy a vowel”).
Martina’s Embarrassing Dance
Leila had a lucky night, finding Gennarino in time to secure a 3,000 euro bonus. Among the packages opened was that of dancer Martina, who entered the studio in a striking total black ensemble. A black table was placed center stage for her performance.
The choreography was set to the song It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World, and everything proceeded as planned—until the finale. The dancer, who had expressed discomfort during rehearsals, struck a dramatic pose standing on the table. However, the stage lights remained dimmed, and the audience remained completely silent. Even De Martino didn’t react, amplifying the dancer’s embarrassment.
Several seconds passed without any response, and the dancer burst into laughter, eventually crouching down. It took a moment for the audience, fellow contestants, and the host to understand what had happened. The unexpected ending felt incomplete, and she herself described it as “the worst ending ever,” albeit with a smile.
Once the situation was clear, applause erupted. De Martino approached her, reassuring her that the performance was well-received but the audience had remained respectfully silent, anticipating further dance moves.
