Unlike a show such as Street Smarts, it isn't for the the totally clueless. The questions aren't horribly tough to start out, but do require a thinking mind and an idea of what's happening in the world. Once in the cab, the disco light ceiling lights up and cabbie Ben Bailey tells the passengers they're on television to participate in a game show. Now, I did a bit of research — some of the passengers are indeed "plants" but even they don't exactly know it's the Cash Cab. They know they're going to be on television and think the cab is just the vehicle they'll take to their destination. After being told what they're in for, the passengers have to spend about 15 minutes filling out release forms, so the show tends to lose folks in a true hurry. Me? Unless I was hitting the last train or bus back over or under the river to New Jersey, I'd take the time! Heck, even if I was, it's only a three hour or so wait in Penn Station before 5:15 a.m. rolls around. I shouldn't be out that late at night anyway, right? May as well win money!
The first round of trivia questions are worth $25 each. Then the rounds go to $50 and $100 each. There's also a Red Light Bonus Question if you happen upon a red light. (A red light in Manhattan is more common than green, sheesh!) If you get three questions wrong, you lose all your winnings and get tossed out of the cab wherever you may be. Contestants are allowed two shout-outs for help with questions. They can ask someone on the street or make a call. At the end of the ride (if you make it to your destination), the offer is made to double your winnings or lose it all based on a video bonus question. I only found this show a week or so ago and haven't seen anyone taking Ben up on that offer. The passengers are filmed walking away with the cash or empty-handed. I believe they're actually mailed a check and the cash is just for the filming, but it's still money for nothing and the check's for free! Or, something to that effect.
Article comments
1 - Joanie
Congrats! Your article was chosen for Advance.net
2 - Chris
I LOVE Cash Cab. I think that if you show the contestants who don't choose to go for double or nothing the video that they would have gotten if they went on. I think it show them if they made the right or wrong choose. I think that would also get the rating up:)
3 - ron archer
Best show on TV!
4 - anonymous
does anyone know where i can download the sound effects that Ben has on his ipod that he plays during the show like the right and wrong answers and the musical sounder he plays when someone gets into the cab
5 - Gail Politica
I love the show. The other day I was watching with some friends, and thought it would be a good idea to play the video question at the end when they have declined, just to see if they would have won or not.
6 - James Beran
A really fun show. The reactions of the fares are often priceless. The show has won a number of TV awards, and despite that Discovery reently moved the show from its 6:00 & 6:30 PM times, here in SoCal to 9:00 and 9:30 AM. That did not last for more then a week as fans bombarded the shows comment area with their displeasure. An amazing number of people know about the show. I tell all my friends about the fun of it all, and they soon become viewers. I do think a good change would be to give the street shout out helpers, the amount of the question. Cheap for the show relative to the word of mouth advertising they would get in return, not to mention the added reactions to their windfall...