# Questions about CASH CAB **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 10, 2009, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499 "2009-09-10T01:06:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/21 "2009-09-10T14:01:09Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > This could all be in the editing, but he does seem to sometimes remind people that they have shoutouts available, and then other people get thrown out with shoutouts remaining, and he didn’t remind them. Why would anybody say, “Capital of Iowa? Duh . . . I dunno,” have Ben say “You know, you could call somebody,” and they say, “Oh, no thanks!” I’ve seen one guy who essentially did say “no thanks” to the shoutouts. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2009, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/22 "2009-09-10T15:09:51Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > There’s 2 (at least) - [Edmontosaurus](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmontosaurus) (my, incorrect - unarmoured - guess), and [Edmontonia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmontonia) (the correct answer). > > It’s safe to say, however, that ‘Triceratops’ is _not_ named for the capital of Alberta. (Which was the Crowning Moment of Funny for the episodes. After confirming that they were going with ‘Triceratops’, Adam deadpanned ‘The city of Triceratops, Alberta…’) Huh. Wow I have never heard of either of those two dinosaurs. Maybe they’re more commonly known in Canada? If I had to make a guess I would have just said a dinosaur & hoped it was right, a blind guess is better than not saying anything. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/23 "2009-09-11T00:20:15Z")
Not really, since they still had shoutouts. But, even had they not, there’s a difference between wagering a guess and guessing something that a 5 year old would know wasn’t a valid answer to the question as asked. ‘Calgarysaurus’ would have been better despite displaying the same lack of knowledge of Dinosaurs, and guessing the wrong city as the capital of Alberta. Because at least it’s trying to combine the two parts of the question (‘name a dinosaur that fits this description’ and ‘name the capital of Alberta’). ---
**Author:** ![justafriend](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@justafriend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justafriend)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/24 "2009-09-11T01:58:41Z")
I saw an interview with Ben once where he said that he doesn’t pick up anyone who looks obviously in a rush or frustrated, and he doesn’t pick up people with luggage. So yeah, no airport people. ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/25 "2009-09-11T02:36:15Z")
When I go there, I’ll have to make sure I don’t look rushed or have luggage… and look smart… like I need extra money because I just blew it on my wedding and honeymoon… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/26 "2009-09-11T02:38:32Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > I’ve never seen the American version, but while I love the Canadian Cash Cab, the contestant pool comes across as…pretty much what you’d expect to see from random people who happen to hail a cab. Most of them make it to their destination and get money, but as gameshow contestants go, they’re some of the stupidest I’ve ever seen. > > Adam Gross (the host): ‘This armoured plant eating dinosaur is named after the capital of Alberta.’ > > Contestant 1: ‘The capital of Alberta is…Calgary?’ > > Contestant 2: ‘Wait…dinosaur. Armoured… Triceratops!’ > > Adam: ‘Is that your answer?’ > > Contestants: ‘Yes.’ > > Me: :smack: It seems like in America people assume that everything said is a clue, so they would probably end up calling it “capitalasaurus.” > [@Joey\_Tightlips](#): > > I guess it’s possible they do a combination of pre-screened ringers and random people too. I also don’t know whether the couple in this anecdote was from an early or recent episode, so maybe things have changed. I’m pretty sure that’s exactly what they do. It’s so they get a good mix of winners and losers. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/27 "2009-09-11T02:51:01Z")
> [@Joey\_Tightlips](#): > > I too wondered how the average players seemed to be so knowledgeable. I was talking to my sister who lives outside of NYC about the show and she knows a couple who were on it. In their case, they had gone to an interview in the city to be on an un-named game show. They went through the typical tests to get on a game show I would imagine. On their way out after being told someone would be in touch, the Cash Cab picked them up (enough to suprise them but clearly planned all along). > > While that would certainly explain why so many contestents seem to be trivia buffs, I’m still skeptical. If it were like that every time, the starting location would be the same every time. And it wouldn’t explain the drunks and morons and people opting out mentioned up thread. (Though personally I’ve never seen a drunk or anyone I would consider less than average intelligence on the show.) I guess it’s possible they do a combination of pre-screened ringers and random people too. I also don’t know whether the couple in this anecdote was from an early or recent episode, so maybe things have changed. I find that very hard to believe. I have seen quite a few dumbasses. Most of the time he is picking people up in midtown Manhattan. For the most part in nicer or touristy neighborhoods. That has more to do with the types of people that were picked up than anything else. And on the after dark episodes I have seen a number of people I suspect were drunk. One thing I wondered about: I know Ben has a Hack License. One time I saw him reach over while greeting a new contestant and he seemed to turn on the meter. I was wondering if it has to be treated like a regular cab ride with the tab picked up by the show. ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/28 "2009-09-11T03:02:37Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I like Cash Cab too! I think it’s because win or lose, the contestants always seem to be really enjoying themselves. Their good humor is infectious. I was just saying this to my girlfriend earlier. Cash Cab is the happiest show on TV. It’s all smiles and good-nature. It’s about a goofy guy who gives random people 15 minutes of excitement and maybe some moneys. I’ve gotten sick of all the misery on TV in high-stakes game shows and “reality” contests. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/29 "2009-09-11T04:31:23Z")
It’s amazing sometimes how tense people get. Not “OMG - I’m on TV!!!” tense, but “the world will end if I don’t know who the president of Uzbeckistan is”. Most people just have fun, but there are obviously people who can’t take being wrong. Ben’s cab humber is 1G12, is you’re ever trolling for his cab. StG ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/30 "2009-09-11T04:53:30Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > One thing I wondered about: I know Ben has a Hack License. One time I saw him reach over while greeting a new contestant and he seemed to turn on the meter. I was wondering if it has to be treated like a regular cab ride with the tab picked up by the show. Yes, the rider doesn’t pay for the cab. I’ve seen several times where someone loses right at their destination and Ben says that at least they got a free cab ride out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Buttons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@Mr\_Buttons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Buttons)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/31 "2009-09-11T06:17:42Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Yes, the rider doesn’t pay for the cab. I’ve seen several times where someone loses right at their destination and Ben says that at least they got a free cab ride out of it. That’s what he always says if the group doesn’t have 2 strikes or so, it’s like a sucker bet. Double up, or settle for a free cab ride. Makes it sound much more tempting than being down $20 for a cab ride that you expected when you entered. 🙂 The ones that have 2 strikes already, he tends to try and talk them out of risking it all. I’m curious now, anyone know the highest amount won so far? I think the biggest I’ve seen is around $2500. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/32 "2009-09-11T06:22:48Z")
Read the posts in my previous link. The highest I’ve seen was $3,200. It was a trio of males in their mid to late 20s. ---
**Author:** ![AppallingGael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9bd4f/32.png) [@AppallingGael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AppallingGael)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 6:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/33 "2009-09-11T06:48:52Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > The ones that have 2 strikes already, he tends to try and talk them out of risking it all. The optional video clue at the end is double-or-nothing. If you gamble and miss, you lose it all, even if you had no strikes on you. Though it is doubtless true that if you had two misses, you are more likely to miss than someone who has had none. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/34 "2009-09-11T06:58:36Z")
> [@AppallingGael](#): > > The optional video clue at the end is double-or-nothing. If you gamble and miss, you lose it all, even if you had no strikes on you. Though it is doubtless true that if you had two misses, you are more likely to miss than someone who has had none. Which has nothing to do with what **Mr. Buttons** was talking about. He was simply pointing out Ben’s tendency to word his final proposal in a different manner depending on the status of the contestants. If they had two strikes, he might word it to sound too risky and to possibly dissuade them from taking the video bonus\* risk. If they were really kicking ass, he sometimes makes it sound like it’ll be another walk in the park (which they usually are) to subtly encourage them to go for the big time. \*Video bonuuuuuuuussss!!!(See Also: Red Light Challenge) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 11:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/35 "2009-09-11T11:29:10Z")
Even though he has his cab license, as it’s portrayed in the show he’s obviously _not_ following all the rules. And in a funny way, this gives me great anxiety. I love the show, and I think Ben’s a hoot … but as a New Yorker, I keenly feel the entire institution of the yellow taxi is sacrosanct and it sort of bothers me when the rules aren’t followed. The distance thing is the most confusing to me … all the shown players are going distances that I can tell are about the same. Both my office and my home are in NYC, and it could take about 35 minutes on an ideal traffic day, and up to 50 minutes on a bad traffic day. If I got in the cab, what would happen? ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/36 "2009-09-11T14:32:01Z")
1. I’m virtually certain that some portion of the contestants are plants – possibly a very small portion, but still. For instance, there was one ride that consisted of three stand-up comics on their way to Caroline’s for a gig that night. They weren’t uber-famous, but you’d definitely recognize them if you ever watch stand-up on TV. Ben made like he didn’t recognize them, which would be fine except that [Ben Bailey is a professional stand-up comedian](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WT6tB6U_uc). There is roughly a 100% chance he would recognize these comedians, and, I don’t know, a 90% chance he would personally know one or more of the three, at least in passing. I also had someone who was trying to sell me comedy club tickets tell me a story about meeting Ben Bailey and getting put on the show. 1. Not only do they never go to the airport, but they never leave Manhattan, nor do they ever go way uptown, to Harlem or Inwood. I guess they must have permission from the TLC to refuse to go certain places, though if they’re refusing to go to Harlem that’s a little troubling. 2. Those who don’t live in NYC would never pick up on this, but the routes they show on the overhead map are often wrong. The map will show the cab taking roughly the most direct route, but often they’re clearly taking an alternate route, either because it’s close enough to make little difference, or because (presumably) of traffic. At times the cab has been up to 15 blocks away from where the map claims it is. 3. The contestants don’t seem unusually smart to me, except to the degree you’d expect if you’re picking up most of your passengers in the wealthier parts of Manhattan. People who can afford a $4,000/month one-bedroom in Chelsea are typically going to know more stuff than, for instance, my neighbors here in Queens, who are paying $1,350 for a two-bedroom railroad apartment. And it’s a pretty small difference on the show: they pick up a lot of airheads. 4. I really enjoy the show, and I think Ben Bailey does a fantastic job in all respects (I don’t much care for his stand-up, but he’s very good on the show). 5. Finally, anyone who isn’t alone and has had a reasonably successful ride absolutely must go for the video bonus. To pass it up is just giving away too much equity. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/37 "2009-09-11T14:56:57Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > I’m curious now, anyone know the highest amount won so far? I think the biggest I’ve seen is around $2500. There was a single guy who was on one of the Cash Cab: After Dark episodes where all the amounts are doubled who won over $6000. > [@delphica](#): > > The distance thing is the most confusing to me … all the shown players are going distances that I can tell are about the same. Both my office and my home are in NYC, and it could take about 35 minutes on an ideal traffic day, and up to 50 minutes on a bad traffic day. If I got in the cab, what would happen? Huh? I’ve seen rides where they go 12 blocks and rides where they go 50. Though as I mentioned before, I’ve only seen them go north of Lincoln Center once or twice, and that was to like 78th St or something. I don’t know why that is, or if it’s just that since he mainly cruises around Times Square & downtown the people he picks up wouldn’t be going that far north? > [@](#): > > Ben’s cab humber is 1G12, is you’re ever trolling for his cab. Actually the new episodes (with the higher cash values & the new ceiling lights) have his license as 7N78. ---
**Author:** ![Erasmus\_Darwin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c57346/32.png) [@Erasmus\_Darwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erasmus_Darwin)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/38 "2009-09-11T15:44:11Z")
> [@Mr\_Buttons](#): > > I’m curious now, anyone know the highest amount won so far? I think the biggest I’ve seen is around $2500. He was on the radio this morning (promoting his stand-up act), and I think the number he mentioned was $6200 or so. He also said that the maximum possible amount is $10,000. > [@delphica](#): > > Even though he has his cab license, as it’s portrayed in the show he’s obviously _not_ following all the rules. This came up on the radio show, too. Specifically, it was about people who wanted a cab ride but didn’t want to play the game. He said technically, he was supposed to take them, but they just provide a replacement cab, instead. > [@](#): > > The distance thing is the most confusing to me … all the shown players are going distances that I can tell are about the same. Both my office and my home are in NYC, and it could take about 35 minutes on an ideal traffic day, and up to 50 minutes on a bad traffic day. If I got in the cab, what would happen? I didn’t catch anything specifically about this, but he did mention sort of the opposite issue: Some people get in the cab and only want to go a few blocks. They people are talked into provide a further destination, and then it’s refilmed. ---
**Author:** ![delphica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9a140/32.png) [@delphica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/delphica)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/39 "2009-09-12T13:51:42Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Huh? I’ve seen rides where they go 12 blocks and rides where they go 50. Though as I mentioned before, I’ve only seen them go north of Lincoln Center once or twice, and that was to like 78th St or something. I don’t know why that is, or if it’s just that since he mainly cruises around Times Square & downtown the people he picks up wouldn’t be going that far north? Ha, I would consider 12 blocks and 50 blocks to be “about the same,” it’s going from one Manhattan neighborhood to another Manhattan neighborhood. 🙂 If Ben picked me up from my office downtown, to go home, it would take up the entire show and then some. And I live within the NYC limits (for others who are not from the NY area, a cab driver is not supposed to refuse to take you to an address within the city limits), but _way_ up in the hinterlands of the Bronx, it’s like the suburbs up there. You need to drive on expressways and stuff. I’ve never seen the show go to a destination like that, or Bayside in Queens, or whatever. Based on **Erasmus Darwin’s** comment, I wonder if they would defer me to the non-game show replacement cab. Or maybe, I could play but they would edit it to look like I was getting out somewhere else. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499/40 "2009-09-12T14:32:03Z")
Hmm. I see a movie… In the tradition of _Slumdog Millionaire_, it’s _Foster Kid Cash Cab_, in which a young Bronx kid (Shia Labeouf) who wins [del]millions[/del]thousands on Cash Cab must explain to Ben Bailey and Judge Judy, under torture, how he knew such answers as “Christopher Marlowe”, “Valley of the Dolls”, and “Carruades de Lafite” during his 92 block journey to the home of his girlfriend (Rosie O’Donnell). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/questions-about-cash-cab/509499.md?page=3)