I just caught the “Best Of” show. This is the first time I have ever seen this, but I did get the impression that they’re trying to pass this off as genuine candid moments between real live unsuspecting passengers & their cabbies.
I just couldn’t fall for it. Within 30 seconds, and without prompting from the driver, this lady had confessed that she was:
• Bisexual
• A swinger
• A regular participant in orgies
• Able to lactate at will
This last one was actually demonstrated, thanks to which I have been unable to finish my dish of vanilla pudding.
It’s just unreal how fast the sins come pouring out of these people the second they step into a taxi.
2nd passenger:
A self-described transexual who promptly informs his/her cabby that s/he isn’t satisfied by anything under 13 inches. The cab driver is only mildly surprized. A moment later, s/he receives a call on his or possibly her cell phone. The conversation is very typical of one that you might hear on any cheaply made sitcom where in the on-screen actor repeats every line alegedly spoken by the person on the other end of the phone so that we can hear both sides:
Let’s listen in right now!..
Ring!
Transexual: Hello?
(½ second pause)
TS: I’m available right now, but my minimum is $150- is that a problem?
(¼ second pause)
TS: Well I’m negotiable; how generous can you be?
(3.2 µs pause)
TS (sounding slightly bored): Oh, you like to be tied up & taken advantage of & have hot wax dripped on your nipples while I sing Andrea Bocelli’s Con Te Partiro in F sharp & savage you with my strap-on? I can do that. (Feigns yawn)
…And so on.
After a while this show just went down hill with no brakes. They even removed the front passenger seat, so we could have a better view of the action for cripes sakes. Is HBO really trying to pass this off as “true” confessions?
I’ve seen the show and I believe it. I mean, why not. I’ve bartended for a few years during college and I’ve had any number of people say things to me and others that I’d never imagine saying to strangers.
You have to remember, people are strange and more than willing to share it with others. It’s as simple as that.
More important still, think about the situation they film these people in. They want a cab for a reason. For one thing, they could be drinking something serious and don’t want to drive. Being lit usually means you will do and say things that you might not when sober.
They might also want a cab because, well, let’s face it, their too odd to get a drivers license. A few years ago I had my license temporarily taken away. I was forced to use public transportation and cabs. Some of the people I saw during this time made me happy I am a guy. Scary. Some of those people are downright nuts.
Thirdly and finally (Is that right? ahh, who cares), having the cameras in a cab allows them to pick and choose who they film. I’d guess that some of those people were waiting a long time for a cab to pick them up because most avoided them before the HBO cab came along. While the ‘regular’ cab misses them, the HBO cab probably sees an oddball standing at the corner and makes a beeline to pick them up.
Also keep in mind the people they don’t show. I’d bet the majority of the people are saying things so boring that the producers don’t want to air it- “I’ve got a bad case of hemorrhoids and can’t walk to the store for preparation H. Boy does it itch! And the oozing, Ohhh, the awful oozing.”
I couldn’t believe it either, but then after one show they ran some clips of the drivers asking the passengers if they’d be willing to sign off on their segments being used. Looked pretty authentic to me. The thing is, there ARE people like that out there. Yowsah. Las Vegas seems to be a magnet, too.
My first husband drove a taxi, my first love drove a taxi. When the LIONsob and I got together he was driving a taxi, and his Uncle who lives with us, still drives one today.
After spending time with these men in their cabs , nothing, and I mean nothing shocks me about what people will do or say in a taxi.
Maybe it’s because people look at the drivers as someone safe. They don’t know them, will likely not see them again so they are comfortable letting it all hang out.