Ben Dowell writes: Noel Edmonds is back. The one-time curator of Crinkly Bottom is about to sign a two-year extension to his Channel 4 quiz show Deal or No Deal, giving us, in all probability, six snatches of Noel a week until 2008. Last Saturday his viewing figures also nudged beyond 5 million for the first time, so chances are you have seen an episode. Is it really that good?
If you did tune in, it was probably not because of the hype. When the news broke last autumn that Noel was back, the media response not a lot unlike Harry Enfield's Self Righteous Brother: "Oi, Edmonds. NNNNOOOOOOO!!!!" But the media was wrong.
Deal or No Deal is doing so well - both in daytime (where it may not have the greatest competition) but also in prime-time where it recorded its record 5 million audience. In fact such is the success of the new show that rumour has it that ITV programmes chief Simon Shaps tried to poach the show to shore up his Paul O'Gradyless tea-time schedule. You can't keep an old-time mass entertainer down, you see, whether its an Edmonds or even a Barrymore.
But can you explain the show's success? Are you glad to see Noel back?
Is this proof that British TV - and Endemol - can do no wrong with their formats (it's already been sold to 20 countries and climbing and is on prime-time on NBC)? Was Edmonds unjustly neglected all these years?
If you've not seen the show, either watch it on Channel 4 at 4.15pm today or read this hilarious explanation of it by Charlie Brooker.
Or you could follow each day on this bizarre fansite.
