According to the Hollywood Reporter, “Cash Cab” on the Discovery Channel is being renewed for its sixth season.
Awesomeness.
If you haven’t watched this trivia-game-in-a-taxi, do. It’s high energy and fun and uniquely New York City. The host Ben Bailey drives the cab and asks the questions, and he’s super quick at both.
I’m not just speaking from a viewer perspective — I was lucky enough to play “Cash Cab” three years ago.
Yep. I was a contestant…and it was a freaky experience.
When I got in the cab, I had no idea what was going on. After I gave the driver the address, he said, “I’ll take you there, but first, we’re going to play…Cash Cab!!”
Multi-colored lights started flashing inside the cab. I froze in my seat.
So…this is how I’m going to die, I thought.
The driver — Ben Bailey, as it turned out — got out of the cab and his female producer quickly jumped in. She smiled and explained what was going on, and gave me the option to not play…but, hey, I like money.
So I played. And I won $450.
When I arrived at my location, Ben handed me the cash and asked me to hop out and celebrate for the cameras. (A van with the producers follows the cab through the city.)
I jumped out and did my best cash dance, while a cameraman circled around me. (Of course, in New York City, the people just kept walking by. No biggie.)
Then they took the money back, and I signed IRS forms right there on the street. And I walked to the restaurant and had lunch with my friends.
Just another day in the Big Apple.
Final answer
Yesterday I mentioned I was doing something that scared me. As it turned out, that ‘thing’ stretched into today as well.
Two days, you say? The show only lasts a half hour.
You are correct. I spent two days in holding, waiting to be selected to play the game.
Holding is a small room with couches and two windows. You can’t use your cellphone or the Internet or have any contact with the outside world. The game show producers keep all potential contestants sequestered there to eliminate any appearance or chance of cheating.
I did finally get to meet Meredith and play the show late this afternoon. She is as nice as she appears; I made her laugh so hard at one point, they had to stop tape — that’s a personal point of pride.
I can’t talk about the questions I received or reveal the outcome of my game; all I’m legally able to say is “tune in next year” (which is when my episode will most likely air).
When I am notified of the air date, I’ll pass it along.
Everyone watching? Now, that’s really scary.
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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Television, TV
Tagged air date, celebrities, cellphone, commentary, contestant, entertainment, episode, game show contestant, game shows, Humor, Internet, life, Meredith Vieira, producer, Television, television green room, television holding room, TV, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire