Contestants unknowingly climb into a cab and try to win money by answering questions correctly on the way to their desired location.Contestants unknowingly climb into a cab and try to win money by answering questions correctly on the way to their desired location.Contestants unknowingly climb into a cab and try to win money by answering questions correctly on the way to their desired location.
- Awards
- 6 wins & 9 nominations
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaAlthough contestants are shown leaving the cab with cash in hand, they are actually sent a check in the mail.
- GoofsOn the map that tracks the cab's progress, "42ND" Street is sometimes shown as "42TH" Street.
- Quotes
Ben Bailey: There are over 13,000 cabs in New York City, but there is only one that pays you. Climb into the Cash Cab, and I'll quiz you all the way to your destination. As the meter clicks, the questions get harder, and the stakes get higher. If you get stumped, you can Shout-Out for help on the phone, or off the street. But, be careful, my friend, because in this rig, it's three strikes and you're out! So, what do you say? You in?
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (2009)
What other job could you possibly have where people break out into smiles and raucous, joyous laughter the moment they recognize you? Stand-up comedian? True, that IS the other job...and did I happen to mention that happens to be Ben's "day job", too?
This outgoing every-guy with the classic "Noo-YAWKUH'S" face and a way with snappy patter that would make Bob Eubanks green with envy is the host of what has to be TV's first 'mobile game show'. CASH CAB awards its lucky fares with all the money they can make during their trips, by answering Trivial Pursuit-style questions for different amounts of money, with those amounts growing in size as the difficulty of the questions increases. If the passengers make it successfully to their destination, it culminates in the chance to double their total winnings by answering a "Video Bonus" Question. It's a one-chance-only query with an accompanying visual clue that has to be answered correctly, or the players lose everything and leave with only a free cab ride.
Unlike a lot of fluffy game shows (save a few like JEOPARDY), CASH CAB is one of the few where you can actually learn something from the questions, plus you get what is at times a visually-stunning travelogue of New York. I have actually started making a list of several of the destinations people go to on the show!
The best thing about it, though, is Ben. Without having him as host, it probably wouldn't be the same...or as engaging as it is. Yes, like a lot of hosts, he does have some snappy comebacks and quick quips, and mugs shamelessly for the various cameras in and outside of his rig. But he does all of this while concentrating on driving, rattling off questions for the contestants and managing to be funny all at the same time. Let's see anyone else pull off that kind of 'multi-tasking.'
And though I'm sure quite a bit of selective editing goes on putting the shows together, by no means is this an easy contest. Because CAB'S big twist is "three strikes and you're out!" If the players get three questions wrong before the end of their trip, as Ben explains from the very beginning, he has to pull over and eject them from the ride at that point, no second chances or do-overs. And I've seen just as many people wind up walking (or hailing another cab) as I've seen win.
The point is that the show is everything you want from a great game show...it's informative, entertaining and addictive. And amazingly, rather on the most logical channel where you'd expect to find it, GSN (Game Show Network), it comes to us courtesy of The Discovery Channel.
As long as they can convince Ben to stay on for new episodes, I'm a fan, and my DVR will always be set for a season pass.
Details
- Runtime22 minutes
- Color