Where was Ben Bailey when I really needed him? Recently, I returned from a business trip to New York with my friend and business partner, Louie Atsaves. We went to NY for the annual GT awards luncheon. While it was great seeing my GT family again and the luncheon was outstanding, I left NY disappointed that I failed to hail the Cash Cab.
Cash Cab is a game show based in NY, actually on the streets in NY, in a cab driven by comedian Ben Bailey. I stumbled upon the show a few years back when my nephew Matt and I were spending quality time together in Houston. Why go out and do something, when we had a fridge full of Coke and leftovers? Our days were filled with an odd succession of shows, Cash Cab being our favorite.
Would-be passengers who hail a Toyota Sienna minivan with medallion number 1G12 are surprised to find out that they have a chance to answer trivia questions for cash as they progress to their stated destination. The first four questions are worth $25 each. The next 4 are worth $50. The rest are worth $100. Three wrong answers get you booted from the cab immediately. You are also allowed 2 “shout-outs” for help, one via cell phone, one via a random person on the street.
Bailey is a master of misdirection, often faking disappointment at a “wrong” answer, only to reveal it was correct. Bailey’s antics and the unpredictability of the passengers make this show a real treat.
You can’t win a million dollars, nor do you have to make a fool of yourself to win. It’s a simple show, with reasonable questions and relatively small prize winnings.
I figured that Louie and I had a combined virtual warehouse of trivial info. I even had a few possible shout-outs on standby just in case. Unfortunately, I never got to call them for help. We took a few cab rides. Some brought us excitement as they narrowly missed cars and pedestrians en route, but none gave us the chance to win hundreds of dollars. So, I went home to Chicago disappointed. At least I have a return trip to NY in the spring. Maybe I can hail the Cash Cab then. Until then, I will concentrate my efforts on “Stump the Schwab“.
-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
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