DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND -- “Are You a Gambler?” Episode 101 -- Pictured: (l-r) Nicholas Grasso, Jordan Fowler, Stephanie Mitchell, Miranda Harrison, Brantzen Wong -- (Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC)

Best-bets for Feb. 26: “Deal” starts, “Most Wanted” ends

1) “Deal or No Deal Island” debut, 9:30-11 p.m., NBC. The flimsy “Deal” has been turned into a sort of “Survivor” clone – complete with “Boston Rob” (from many “Survivor” editions) as a contestant. There’s a handsome host (Joe Manganiello) and wild stunts, starting with a mud bog (shown here). The players are interesting, but only one gets to win much; for now, they’re just building up the pot. Read more…

1) “Deal or No Deal Island” debut, 9:30-11 p.m., NBC. The flimsy “Deal” has been turned into a sort of “Survivor” clone – complete with “Boston Rob” (from many “Survivor” editions) as a contestant. There’s a handsome host (Joe Manganiello) and wild stunts, starting with a mud bog (shown here). The players are interesting, but only one gets to win much; for now, they’re just building up the pot.

2) “The Voice” season-opener, 8-9:30 p.m. NBC. The 25th season starts with only one coach who’s ever had a champion. That’s John Legend, with one winner in eight tries. It’s the second try for Reba McEntire and Chance the Rapper and the first for the country duo of Dan + Shea. The show has the same hours Tuesday; starting next week, it’s 8-10 p.m. Mondays and 9-10 p.m. Tuesdays.

3) “America’s Most Wanted” season-finale, 8 p.m., Fox. This show started back in 1988, making a quick impact and helping catch suspects. Now this revival (with John Walsh still as host) ends after five episodes … and a recent arrest. That suspect – accused of sexual abuse of pre-teen girls –brings the total to 1,191.

4) “TMZ Investigates” season-finale, 9 p.m., Fox, Another show wraps up, with Fox planning “MasterChef Junior” and “So You Think You Can Dance” for next Monday. This time, “TMZ” goes light with a look at the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce romance.

5) ALSO: “Wild Cards” (9 p.m., CW) reruns a show in which the Mob has kidnapped an accountant before he can testify; the ending is exceptionally clever. By comparison, “Madame Blanc Mysteries” (www.acorn.tv) has lots of charm, but a story that ends poorly, with an unforced confession. And “The Daily Show” (11 p.m., Comedy Central) has Jon Stewart’s weekly turn as host; the first two have been hilarious.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *