# I almost won Ben Stein's Money! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 12, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853 "2000-09-12T04:21:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/1 "2000-09-12T04:21:38Z")
But I didn’t make it to the final round… I pulled a couple of answers RIGHT OUT OF MY ASS, though, pretty proud of that. That Ben Stein is fast on the buzzer, man. And a bright guy to boot. I am a trivia wiz, and I got stumped several times. Needless to say, I had a blast taping the show, it was a fun day, and I think it’s going to air either late this week or early next week. I hope I look cute on TV… ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/2 "2000-09-12T04:22:44Z")
oh, I did get a cool Yamaha keyboard as my consolation prize. Lucky me- sometime they are reduced to giving out hair care products & shit… ---
**Author:** ![Persephone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@Persephone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Persephone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/3 "2000-09-12T04:23:36Z")
COOL! Let us know when it’s on! Can’t wait to see it! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/4 "2000-09-12T04:54:55Z")
If I’m remembering correctly, my show was the 6th one that the new sidekick, Nancy, taped. So if she started tonight, then my show SHOULD be on next Monday, but you never know. You can’t miss me. I’m the new mom, and the other two guys are lawyers- one young & one geezer. ---
**Author:** ![Gatsby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@Gatsby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatsby)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/5 "2000-09-12T04:59:44Z")
Very cool! I love “Win Ben Stein’s Money”. I could never be a contestant though. Whenever I play along at home I always answer Jeopardy style. Never fails to piss Stein off when his contestants do that. He is one helluva trivia whiz, too. I’d like to see Stein and Trebec in a head to head trivia competition. I like that Stein takes part in the game. From his attitude, you’d think Trebec knew every answer on the board. ---
**Author:** ![Whammo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8dc957/32.png) [@Whammo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whammo)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/6 "2000-09-12T05:56:29Z")
Oh my God that is just way too cool you celebrity!! …may I touch you?.. I just love ben steins money! So funny… I think I would do good on that show… what was the hardest part? the pressure no doubt? Be sure and post before it comes on if you find out for sure… I wouldnt want to miss it and not get to say “I read a POST by that woman!” _L_ I just knew someone from the SDMB would be on there sooner or later… ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/7 "2000-09-12T14:07:16Z")
\<2\*sense\> Very cool. Congrats. How’d you get on? Do you just have to shw up, or (and I’m assuming this is the case) did you have to beat out some other folks in a pre-sceening or something? \ ---
**Author:** ![Swampwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8edcca/32.png) [@Swampwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swampwolf)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/8 "2000-09-12T15:27:39Z")
OMG! I am like, SO jealous! Ever since it started, I’ve wanted to be on it. Even though I know that if I made the final round (which I think I would) and even if I did get into the booth (which I think I might), there’s not a chance in hell that I’d win the whole kielbasa. Still… As far as Stein vs. Trebek, I don’t think Trebek knows squat. Take away his cue cards and he’d make a mediocre contestant on Wheel of Fortune. ---
**Author:** ![monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monster)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/9 "2000-09-12T15:31:54Z")
How exciting!!! I’ll be on the lookout for your show. How was Nancy as compared to Jimmy? I LOVED Jimmy and am sad to see him go. Ben is so funny and soooooo smart!!! You are so lucky!! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2000, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/10 "2000-09-12T15:52:38Z")
Nancy had a vert rough start, but give her a few episodes to find her footing. I too loved Jimmy and was a little bent that he left RIGHT BEFORE I WENT ON! The process can actually be harder than the damn show! Call the 800 number or go to [futility.com](http://futility.com) to sign up. Then, if they are in production, they will call you to set up a try-out. I went to a try-out with at least 50-60 other people, we met with a producer and took a written test, which was quite hard. You had to get a certain score on the written test to move on to the practice game. I think less than half of us passed the test. Obviously, they don’t want someone to go on the show who has no chance of beating Ben, that wouldn’t be fair. Then, you play a practice game against two other hopefuls, while the producers watch & give notes. Not only do you need to get questions right, but also to have some personality. Have you noticed that there are almost always 2 guys for every one girl on the show? That’s 'cause not many women try out. If you are a perky female, go girl! After the practice game, it’s the “we’ll call you” thing. No, you don’t get to meet Stein that day. If they decide you would make a good contestant, they call & you spend a day taping a show. Oh, did you know that they PAY the studio audience to sit there all day to tape 3-4 shows? $10 a day, so they get quite a few homeless people & junkies! It was wild! At the try-out, we got lots of info and backstage gossip about the show & Ben Stein. Did you know that this show has won at least 2 Emmys? Not counting any won this week? Pretty impressive. Anyway, if you think it would be fun, go for it! PS- in case I’m not positive of when my show airs, here’s a hint for those of you who watch- the show taped right before mine, one of the contestants is an Army colonel. My show should be the one after that, like maybe next Monday. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/11 "2000-09-16T19:40:51Z")
Well, dammit, now I don’t know WHEN my show is going to air! They seem to be airing in no particular order, in fact the one taped right AFTER mine aired last night! No-one in the production dept had returned my calls for an air date, so who knows… I was so geeked up for this, too! ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/12 "2000-09-16T21:10:09Z")
Too cool **EJ**! I’m way jealous. I’m curious - did you _like_ Ben Stein? The only thing I don’t like about that show is that he _rushes_ through the scripted parts now that he’s said them 1,000,000 times. I’mgonnaput5000dollarsofMYmoney… Slow down, Benny boy. ---
**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2000, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/13 "2000-09-16T21:34:40Z")
yeah, Canthearya, I agree. Also, seems as if he’s always a bit patronizing (or paternal) to the female contestants. ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2000, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/14 "2000-09-17T03:40:50Z")
Just a thought here. I’ve noticed on that show lately, that the final round where their in the booths and whatnot, that the questions seem definitely slanted in Ben’s favor. They ask obscure questions about politics that only he would know. He was a speech writer for some president, don’t know who. Anyone else notice this? EJS? By the way, too cool you went and did that. What other gossip did you hear backstage? ---
**Author:** ![jb\_farley](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9d8465/32.png) [@jb\_farley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jb_farley)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2000, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/15 "2000-09-17T06:44:18Z")
Nixon. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2000, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/16 "2000-09-17T14:53:48Z")
BSM was on yesterday (saturday) with a woman and two men (surprise), but the woman didn’t win anythign and was out at the first break, so I’m guessing it wasn’t you. Tell you what, wear a flower in your hair so we’ll know it’s you. What? Taped before you say? Hmmm, should thought of this before. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/17 "2000-09-18T16:56:30Z")
Hey, still trying to get a date confirmation… I was wearing a white t-shirt with a brown suede shirt over it, and it’s Debbie. Ben is actually pretty nice in person, though he can’t be THAT thrilled to meet you, considering you’re just another fuckin’ contestant. Did you know that, since he got mugged outside his house last year, he goes everywhere with a bodyguard, even on the set? Large gentleman, rather sinister looking. Also, Stein GUZZLES stomach medicine, like Pepto only stronger. The staff said it’s because he gets so nervous about answering the questions correctly, it’s giving him ulcers. He takes it very seriously, & doesn’t want to be embarrassed. While he’s in the booth & the camera is elsewhere, he’s downing his dope. Apparently he was a hell of a speech writer, and he loved Tricky Dick. There is a letter Stein wrote to Nixon a couple of days before he stepped down, where he talks about what a great man he is (Nixon, not Stein). Regardless of how you feel about Nixon, it is a moving letter. More info when I have it, I’m so glad I’m not the only one who shouts out answers at home! ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/18 "2000-09-18T16:57:56Z")
Forgot to say, the letter is at the Nixon Library, Birthplace & Gravesite in Yorba Linda, CA. ---
**Author:** ![Montfort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Montfort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Montfort)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/19 "2000-09-18T18:05:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by thinksnow \* > **BSM was on yesterday (saturday) with a woman and two men (surprise), but the woman didn’t win anythign and was out at the first break, so I’m guessing it wasn’t you.** I saw this episode, too, and thought that woman was EJsGirl, as well, since the contestant’s name was **E** mily. After she lost, I ran to check this thread to see if that was EJsGirl, but the OP says that she “I pulled a couple of answers RIGHT OUT OF MY ASS,” whereas Emily just looked really cute and didn’t answer a single question. ---
**Author:** ![thinksnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thinksnow/32/2849_2.png) [@thinksnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thinksnow)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2000, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853/20 "2000-09-18T18:33:19Z")
yup, that’s what I was thinking, **Montfort** I guess we’ll see tonight, eh? Good luck, Debbie, oh wait…damn, I keep doing that! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-almost-won-ben-steins-money/32853.md?page=2)