I don't know about you, but every time I hail a cab, I hope and pray and cross all fingers and toes, that I'll be lucky enough to hail cute Ben Bailey and his disco-lit Cab o' Cash.
See, I'm not much of a game show fan, but I love me some Cash Cab. And yes, like some kind of demented granny, I yell out the answers at my TV. I inevitably screw up the geography and ancient history questions, but I do pretty well with just about every other topic. I've racked up $700 on some imaginary rides. After calculating my illusory winnings, I imagine how I'd spend that money. I have a boyfriend, but I know he wouldn't mind if I took Ben Bailey out for a cocktail or three. I'd definitely put some towards a new computer as this one is on its last legs. Anyway, as you can see, Cash Cab isn't just a show for me. It's more like a life goal.
So imagine my shock, horror and devastation when last night I find out that Cash Cab is actually fake! I don't want to get the breaker of the news in any trouble in case he signed some sort of confidentiality agreement, so I won't mention names, but it turns out this guy was cast as a contestant! And it wasn't even tryouts like Jeopardy! This guy had worked on some other TV show and the casting agents thought he'd be good and so he got the gig. They don't just randomly pick up people on the street. Sigh. Oh, and that wad of cash Ben forks over at the end—nuh uh. You do win, but they send you a check weeks later.
Hours later and I'm still reeling from the news. It's going to take a while to fully process this information. I guess I should've figured that anyone who listed their #1 do-not-miss spot in New York City as "The Comedy Cellar" on MacDougal St. was up to no good.
(Edited for clarity's sake.)
WHAT!?!?!
Tricia and I would watch Cash Cab regularly, screaming out answers at the TV. We've won thousands of dollars (in our minds). We would search the streets for Bailey's disco-cab, and we decided that if we saw the cab, we'd jump in it and go 50 blocks, even if that was out of our way.
This is worse news than, gosh, ANYTHING!
Posted by: Upset Ivan | February 07, 2008 at 01:23 PM
You totally just crushed me right now. You're 100% sure? So my days of drunkenly looking for a cab with brightly lit innards are over? *le sigh*
Posted by: Eener | February 07, 2008 at 02:28 PM
As long as the contestants aren't cast, I'm OK with that.
Posted by: bjk | February 08, 2008 at 10:58 AM
The fact that the guy was cast in the role doesn't shock me. But now I am thinking:
What if he don't pick up random people on the streets of New York either?
What if One has to audition as a contestant to get a ride in the cab as well?
I know, I know, that's what it feels like sometimes, but could it be?
Posted by: Ms.Pardon Me For Asking | February 08, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Er, the scandal IS that the contestants are CAST!!! I knew the host was cast (I've never had a cabbie that cute). Was I unclear there? He DOESN'T pick up people on the street—he picks up contestants who've been cast. By a casting agency.
Posted by: Judy McClarifying | February 08, 2008 at 12:49 PM
My mistake. You were clear. I just read your posting again. I guess I just was too horrified to let my brain absorb the news.
It was too much of a shock!
Posted by: Ms.Pardon Me For Asking | February 08, 2008 at 02:34 PM
I for one am relieved to know that you were only joking about being surprised that cash cab is fake. everything on TV is fake. If it wasn't fake, it wouldn't be on TV. Why else do you think Bush spends so much time on TV?
Lost in the clouds with Jupiter transcendent
Lost in the clouds with Mars ascendant.
Love Luck and the music of the Spheres.
Azure in the arms of Cerulean
Cast adrift in the Indigo isles
May Angel love and Moon glow light your path.
Posted by: poetryman69 | February 08, 2008 at 08:28 PM
so wrong
Posted by: maryse | February 14, 2008 at 03:41 PM
I am truly shocked.
I will never watch Cash Cab again.
Posted by: God Dammit | May 27, 2008 at 07:11 PM
That's not totally correct. Only some contestants are cast. Others are definitely picked up randomly on the street. There are news articles and interviews with Ben online you can find that say as much. Apparently a lot of potential "fares" decline the ride once they realize they'll be on TV or because they actually need to get to their destination in a hurry.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12055144/
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/2008/03/27/2008-03-27_7_questions_for_cash_cab_host.html
Posted by: CCfan | June 02, 2008 at 11:38 AM
50% of the contestants are cast and the rest are completely at random.
90% of them, even if cast, don't know they are getting in the cash cab. But yes, the show is partially staged, otherwise they would not get any good camera shots.
Also, if the cash was real it would be a HUGE liability for the show.
Posted by: Joy | December 03, 2008 at 06:38 PM
So what if they are cast? Who cares? EVERY game show casts contestants.
It's New York for God's sake! Do you know what you would get if they didn't? Do you want to see some foul drunk, exhibitionist, NYC a-hole jerkoff, or someone who is up for the game?
It's a trivia game with a unique format.
That should be enough to enjoy it.
Posted by: Patrick | January 08, 2009 at 04:49 PM
It is one of my life goals to get on the cash cab. it is ruined....
:(
Posted by: Nathan | February 06, 2009 at 10:21 PM
It is fake...watch the scenery, you cant drive UPTOWN on 5th AVENUE! SORRY
Posted by: Salvatore | April 25, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I love Cash Cab and this is unbelievably upsetting. I just watched tonight. So I and the rest of us who were having fun watching the show are just stupid. Apparently :( Damn
Posted by: Sad | August 17, 2009 at 09:35 PM
Thanks, CCFan. People need to read before jumping to conclusions! Cash Cab is NOT staged.
Posted by: Chris | September 16, 2009 at 08:16 PM