Local woman wins car on ‘Let’s Make a Deal’
-By Jackie Iddings
Smith getting her brand new car from Ernesto Rameriz at Santa Barbara Volkswagen.
‘I really needed an adult car,’ says Maria Smith
–Atascadero resident Maria Blanco Smith wanted tickets to “Dancing with the Stars” but by the time her name came up in the draw, there were none left. “They offered me tickets to ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ instead,” said Smith. Smith’s initial disappointment over not getting tickets for her first choice was quickly erased when Wayne Brady, host of the show, handed her the keys to her 2016 Volkswagen Jetta. “I kept telling Wayne Brady that I really needed an adult car,” said Smith. “I was thrilled to win a new four door Jetta sedan.” Smith had been driving the same two door 1992 Toyota for 21 years.
The show taped in July last year but Smith had to keep quiet about winning the car until the show aired. It aired on January 6 and she had her new car by January 29. Smith says the entire experience was very exciting, even waiting in line for two hours wearing a costume in the summer heat. “The show makes the entire event fun,” says Smith. “They want us to be excited and keep us entertained until the show starts. Once we were inside it was one big party.”
Smith with her friends who accompanied her to the show: Denise Benda, Yvonne Campbell and Neda Huff.
Wayne Brady was “terribly sweet,” says Smith. When Brady took her hand to walk her to the car Smith says she unexpectedly broke down. Brady sat her down in the car and leaned into the window and said, “I am so very happy for you.” Smith said Brady told her it was one of the most touching times anyone had won a car on the show. “My husband and I have never had a car that four adults could sit in so I was thrilled to win a new four door VW Jetta sedan so that we could finally be the ones picking our friends instead of always being the ones to be picked up.”
Smith in her new car with Wayne Brady, host of “Let’s Make a Deal.”
Smith picked up the car from Santa Barbara Volkswagen in January. The Smiths did have to pay registration and other fees that came to around $2,000. “We are still thrilled. How many people get a brand new car for that?” said Smith.
The show airs on CBS. The format involved members of the audience, referred to as traders, making deals with the host. A trader is offered something of value and given the choice to keep it or exchange it for another item. The second item is kept hidden until the choice is made so the trader has no idea what the item is or it is worth more or less than the first item. Audience members dress up in crazy costumes to increase their chances of being selected as a trader. The show tapes at Raleigh Studios Hollywood and airs on CBS. Tickets are free and can be obtained from an online ticketing system.
