When we were very, very young, we had one of those rickety backyard pools that were big enough for maybe two or three kids and held three bathtubs' worth of water.

The water level seemed, at the time, about four or five inches deep. The greatest danger was trying to move around too quickly, which guaranteed a pratfall. 

So I remember the pool, and the pratfalls, but there was one other thing I always associated with that swimming pool -- the television game show, "Let's Make a Deal." In the summer, my three siblings and I would have lunch, and then, true to the convention of the day, have to wait an hour before going into the pool (did I mention it was only a few inches of water?)

Watching Monty Hall bamboozle a bunch of folks dressed like parking meters or fried eggs was a wonderful distraction. The lovely Carol Merrill was always on hand to elegantly point out Doors No. 1, 2 and 3, and that Lady or the Tiger aura of what was behind the doors -- a new automobile? A rusted old bicycle? -- prompted us and our friends to create our own versions.

So it was with unexpected delight that I came across Monty and Carol this morning while flipping channels. The current host, Wayne Brady, had just introduced Hall, asking he try his hand at deal-making with a woman wearing an ice cream cone costume.

Monty gave the lady a small roll of currency and offered to let her trade it for what was behind Door No. 1. The woman declined, then shrieked when she saw the shiny new car. So he tried again with Door No. 2. Again, no deal. Again, a new car. 

Third time: no charm. The woman turned down the deal and there was yet another new car. So she wound up with $2,000 cash in the bankroll. Nice, but it's no new car. After 50 years, some things never change. So it was with Merrill, who looked fantastic. 

"Let's Make a Deal" has not appeared to have change that much. When you stop to consider what a pop culture rarity it is, let's hope in 50 years' time people are still dressing as toasters, and having a ball doing it.

It's to be expected that "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" leads the nominees for the 38th annual Saturn Awards, bestowed by the Academy of Science Fiction Fantasy and Horror Films. Nominations include best fantasy film and best special effects for Joe Letteri's team at Weta Digital.

What films like "Les Miserables," "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Argo" are doing among the sci-fi, fantasy and horror crowd is beyond me. Also odd is the continued lack of love for "The Dark Knight Rises" among award-givers. Christopher Nolan has a director's nod; Christian Bale, Joseph Gordon-Levitt Anne Hathaway are nominated in the acting categories for the film, along with Hans Zimmer's music. But "Cloud Atlas" a better adventure film? Really? I don't get it.

No man -- or woman -- was meant to sit comfortably upon the Iron Throne, but wouldn't that make a really cool photo for your Facebook page?

Thanks to the international GOT exhibition, fans of the HBO series and George R.R. Martin's sprawling saga will have the chance. Five cities across the globe have been selected for what promises to be one of the greatest geek-out events of 2013.

The exhibition begins March 9-16 in Toronto, with stops in New York City (March 28-April 3), Sao Paulo, Brazil (April 15-30; dates here subject to change), Amsterdam (May 19-27) and Belfast, Ireland (June 8-17).

A replica of the Iron Throne is probably the heaviest prop on tour, but it's going to have competition from full suits of armor worn by key characters in the filming of "Game of Thrones." Also on display: helmets, swords (Longclaw and Ice!), King Joffrey's crossbow, Renley's stag crown (alas poor Renley, we hardly knew ye), elaborate ladies' garments, jewelry, books, shields and even models of Khaleesi's small-but-deadly dragons.

A few of the items are featured in the upcoming Season 3, which debuts March 31.

The show's costume designer, Michele Clapton is overseeing the dressing of the mannequins. Also on tour: Jon Snow's raggedy Night Watch clothing. In all, more than 70 artifacts will be on display.

New Project LLC built the exhibition, which includes an interactive experience: "Blackwater Bay." We all know how THAT turned out, so expect mayhem, but probably no chance of getting wet.

A Lannister always pays his debts, yet fans of the exhibition need not bother. The events are free to the public. For more information, go to www.hbo.com/gameofthrones.

Is there such a thing as too much romance? Heaven help Julie Gristlewhite, because here comes "Burning Love."

The wildly funny web series from Ben Stiller, Paramount's Insurge Pictures and Omnicon Media Group's PHD agency launched Season 2 of the reality show parody on Valentines Day. Juile, played by June Diane Raphael as the star of a "Bachlorette"-type program, has enough insecurities to fill the pool at the ostentatious mansion serving as backdrop to the insanity.

Fans of reality TV will recognize the usual tropes. The bevy of bachelors vying for her love include a "classy" guy, a "bad boy" and a "prince." (OK, that's not something one usually comes across).

The first episode, available at www.yahoo.com/burninglove, introduces Julie, who failed to win the heart of Mark Orlando (Ken Marino) in the fake dating show from Season 1. She's had a rough time of it since, and is hopeful that love will find her.

After the men pile out of limos in the typically absurd, introductory fashion (one rides a trike, another can't stop babbling about how much he misses his young son and still another -- the so-called prince -- has her bowing and scraping before him.)

Julie has been warned that one of the contestants, Blaze (played with smarmy assurance by Ryan Hansen) already has a girlfriend. This doesn't stop her from drooling over the "Aquatic Hygiene Engineer." In other words, he cleans pools for a living.

There's also a "Luxury Lifestyle Consultant" and a professor, Wally, portrayed with characteristic, endearing awkwardness by Michael Cera, pictured above with Raphael ("I have a great intellect and an even greater allergy to nuts, all nuts.")

Oh, and Colin Hanks drops in via helicopter.

Erica Oyama, who wrote the first season of "Burning Love," returns, with Marino directing. The cast is a who's who of clever comic actors such as Adam Scott and Martin Starr, who did their time on other clever shows, including Starz' orginal series, "Party Down,"or the CW's "Veronica Mars."

Season 1 of "Burning Love" makes its television debut February 25 as part of E!'s "Mock Block Monday." The show will run weekly as seven, half-hour episodes, with appearances by Stiller, Adam Scott (who is one of the bachelors in Season 2), Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Christine Taylor and Jennifer Aniston.

The course of true love rarely runs smoothly, but you know you're in for a bumpy ride here. As the men settle in with the usual stupid cocktail party, Julie reveals a bit of her strategy: "My plan for tonight is really to hang out with as many guys as possible, and to not go to any of my dark places."

We'll drink to that.