Deal or No Deal Island Season-Premiere Recap: Eat Them Like Little Gummy Bears

Photo: Monty Brinton/NBC

Reality-competition series are a lot like group vacations. Both test everyone’s ability to stay calm and companionable despite a rising tide of logistical challenges and social tensions, and more often than not, someone thinks they’re the ringleader when they’re really just along for the ride. On Deal or No Deal Island season two, the seasoned sharks are already circling around the newbie competitors like they’re delusional chum.

In NBC’s beachside Deal or No Deal spinoff...