Cash Cab is totally fake
Shocker: The show’s contestants are pre-screened and cast, not randomly picked up on the street
This cab runs on lies.
The A.V. Club hates to be the bearer of bad news, but apparently all the hype has been for naught—Cash Cab is pretty much faked. Well, not entirely faked, but let’s put it this way: It’s basically impossible for a regular pedestrian to get picked up by the Cash Cab.
It’s long been a pretty well-kept secret, but the passengers on the Discovery Channel show aren’t just random travelers—they’re cast, just like actors or Oprah ultimate fans. The process has been detailed online, but here’s the gist: Riders are generally found or screened at a bar or on the street. People who are gregarious, funny, and sometimes half in the bag get told they’ve made it on a non-specified reality show and that a cab will be coming to take them to the shoot. A cab pulls up, and, surprise, it’s the Cash Cab! This might explain why so many improv-comedy types are on the show.
Before anyone says, “But, wait. Maybe this is just in New York, where things aren’t true or real,” that’s how it’s happening here in Chicago. We’ve been hearing rumblings about it, and Time Out had a run in with them last week where they tried to get in, but a producer “explained that they weren’t taking contestants at the moment but to keep a look out for the cab around town.” Please.
Other revelations: The cash is fake (winners are mailed a check), and there’s some leeway in the red light challenge.
For what it’s worth, Time Out Chicago has a pretty exhaustive description for the cab itself, right down to its license-plate number. It’s also worth noting that Ben Bailey is not hosting the Chicago version. Like the show did with the Toronto version, they’ve hired a local comedian as the “driver.” In Chicago’s case, it’s Beth Melewski, Second City e.t.c. cast member. Oh, and this whole thing was apparently brought to fruition by a Facebook campaign with 13,000-plus people, so at least public outcry’s good for something.
For anyone looking for the next best thing to winning money and being on television, there’s a Cash Cab iPhone app.
