NBC has signed comic Howie Mandel as host of its new game show, "Deal or No Deal."

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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.