LOS ANGELES – The popular game show Deal or No Deal featured restaurateur and newlywed George Stathoulis and his big Greek family playing for the top prize of $1 million on January 23. The episode, entitled My Big Fat Greek Game Show, featured plate smashing, Greek dancing, and Stathoulis calling out “Opa!” and presenting the show’s host, Howie Mandel, with a mati charm to protect him from the evil eye.

Also adding a Greek presence to the show is Greek-American Deal or No Deal model Patricia Kara who presents briefcase #9.

Newlywed Stathoulis told Mandel that he and his wife would like to have seven children, “to help out in the restaurant,” he joked, but then was visibly moved when he spoke about having a big family. “It’s an amazing experience,” he said.

Famous not only as a comedian but also as a germaphobe, Mandel raised an eyebrow when Stathoulis gave briefcase #7, the one he chose at the start of the show, a “ftou, ftou,” explaining that it was “for luck” and urged Mandel to also spit on the case. Reluctant at first, the host gave in and added a “ftou, ftou.”

The high energy show kept the audience riveted until the very end with the family chanting, “Georgie, Georgie,” as Stathoulis pondered the offers made by the banker. Since the episode is available for viewing online and many may still have the show on DVR, we won’t reveal how much prize money Stathoulis took home.

In case you missed the “Big Fat Greek” episode, it is available for viewing online: cnbc.com.