what do you get when you mix 22 people, 22 sealed boxes and 22 different cash prizes with Noel Edmonds? A TV phenomenon, that's what.

Considering my track record of getting home in time after work for Blue Peter/ Home and Away/ Neighbours, it's frankly a miracle I haven't clocked on to Deal Or No Deal yet.

Everyone is talking about it. Google it and the superinformationhighway is jammed: "Amazing!" "The best TV programme ever!"

When you first tune in, it's rubbish. Just some dude opening boxes, big deal.

But give it a few minutes and before you know it you're clutching the sofa and watching contestants well up in tears as the banker' cackles down the phone.

Does their sealed box contain hundreds of thousands of pounds? Or just pocket change?

Frankly, it's all gone to Noel Edmonds's brilliant bouffant: "People are increasingly describing it not as a game show but as entertainment drama," he said.

And it's debated in chat rooms: "Explain to me what is clever' about picking a number and hoping that there is a low financial amount in the corresponding box? What was wrong with 15-1?"

It was BORING! There were no huge sums of money.

"There is nothing to this game, apart from suspense."

Exactly! Suspense. Not boring boffins. Besides, Noel Edmonds's hair-do is entertainment enough.

The show is kind of dumb and requires no brainpower. I think I love it.