Discovery Channel's Cash Cab: A Review

"There are thirteen thousand cabs in New York City but only one that pays you!" With these words, former stand up comedian Ben Bailey introduces Discovery Channel's hot new trivia game show, Cash Cab. Now a licensed taxi driver, he picks up unsuspecting travelers on the streets of New York and surprises them with flashing lights in the ceiling of his cab and a catchy musical jingle. Once he's told them the rules of the game (usually off camera) and they agree to play, he says "Let's take a ride in the Cash Cab" and off they go.

$25 Question

Associated with the end of the growing season, the full moon of the autumnal equinox is commonly known as what? The game starts with four easy questions worth $25 each. Answer correctly and win the cash. Answer incorrectly and get a strike. The contestants are offered two "shout outs," one a mobile shout out in which they can call anyone they'd like for help with an answer, and the other a street shout out in which they can ask anyone walking by.

$50 Question

What synonym for "commoner" originated as a term for the 2nd class citizens of ancient Rome? Ben drives his bright yellow Toyota Sienna LX taxi expertly through the streets of New York. With an ear piece lodged firmly in his ear, he's able to tell the contestants just how many city blocks to their destination. (A camera car follows to get exterior shots and communicate with Ben, feeding him questions for the gamers.) If it's 43 blocks, they have that long to try to accumulate as much money as they can by correctly answering the trivia questions he asks. But beware, if they get three answers wrong, it's "three strikes and you're out." Ben will pull over to the curb, no matter where, no matter the weather, and kick the contestants out with nothing.

$100 Question

Name the microscopic hair-like protuberances that sweep dirt and mucus out of your lungs. The cab's license is 1G12, a familiar number on our television screens for those of us who are fans of the show. And when the contestants reach over $200 in winnings, and Ben finds himself at a red light, it triggers a "Red Light Challenge!" Contestants are asked a question with multiple answers, usually four to six. Correct answers net an additional $250. Incorrect answers don't affect the score at all.

Should the contestants answer all the general knowledge trivia questions correctly (or make it to their destinations with fewer than three strikes) they're offered the option of a video bonus question for double or nothing. It's interesting to see which contestants choose to risk it all and which ones "take the money and run."

The fun in the show is the variety of people who get into Ben's cab. Some are serious, pondering each question carefully. Some are excited by every right answer, high-fiving, giggling, jumping up and down. Whether it's a single person or a group, they all seem to love trivia. And so do we. We always play along, and cheer them on, hoping they'll all win the cash. We're always sad to see the losers get booted out, though most of them are good sports about it.

Ben Bailey, the host, has been nominated for a 2007 Daytime Emmy for hosting Cash Cab. His background in stand-up comedy prepared him well for occasional witty barbs and silliness. The trivia questions are always fun and challenging, and the format is certainly unique. We have a Season Pass on our Tivo for Cash Cab. It's one of our favorite television game shows. (Harvest moon; Plebian; Cilia.)