<P> The format of Let's Make a Deal involves selected members of the studio audience, referred to as "traders," making deals with the host . In most cases, a trader will be offered something of value and given a choice of whether to keep it or exchange it for a different item . The program's defining game mechanism is that the other item is hidden from the trader until that choice is made . The trader thus does not know if he or she is getting something of greater value or a prize that is referred to as a "zonk," an item purposely chosen to be of little or no value to the trader . </P> <P> Let's Make a Deal is also known for audience members who dress up in outrageous or crazy costumes in order to increase their chances of being selected as a trader . </P> <P> The most recent edition of Let's Make a Deal has been airing on CBS since October 5, 2009, when it took over the spot on the network's daytime schedule vacated by the long running soap opera Guiding Light . Wayne Brady is the host of the current series, with Jonathan Mangum as his announcer / assistant and Alison Fiori as the show's prize model . Tiffany Coyne joined the series as Fiori's replacement in 2010 and musician Cat Gray joined the program in 2011 . Danielle Demski filled in for Coyne while the latter was on maternity leave for part of the 2013--14 season . </P> <P> Let's Make a Deal first aired on NBC in 1963 as part of its daytime schedule . The show moved to ABC in 1968, where it remained until 1976; and on two separate occasions the show was given a weekly nighttime spot on those networks . The first syndicated edition of Let's Make a Deal premiered in 1971 . Distributed by ABC Films, and then by its successor Worldvision Enterprises once the fin - syn rules were enacted, the series ran until 1977 and aired weekly . </P>

Who hosts let's make a deal now