Watch Cash Cab

Cash Cab is a popular quiz show that first aired on Discovery Channel in 2005, and quickly became one of the most beloved TV programs of its time, thanks to its unique format and high entertainment value. Hosted by John Moody, the show follows a simple premise: taxi riders answer trivia questions correctly to win cash prizes, all while being transported around the city in a bright yellow cab equipped with a private camera, microphone, and a roaming producer.

The show is set in New York City, where unsuspecting passengers hail a cab in the middle of the street, only to find out that they've stumbled upon the famous Cash Cab. The contestants are quickly briefed on the rules, which state that in order to win cash, they must correctly answer a series of rapid-fire questions as they travel to their destination.

The questions are arranged in three different levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, and hard. Easy questions have a monetary value of $25, while medium questions are worth $50, and hard questions are worth $100. If the passengers answer a question correctly, they get to keep the money and move up to the next level of difficulty. However, if they answer incorrectly, the driver pulls over and the contestants are forced to leave the cab, losing any money they've earned up until that point.

One unique aspect of the show is that contestants are not the only ones who can win money while riding in the Cash Cab. In addition to the questions that the passengers answer, John Moody also offers "shout outs" to people on the street, where he asks them a trivia question and gives them the chance to win money as well. This interactive element of the show is a major part of its appeal, as viewers at home can test their knowledge and feel like active participants in the show.

Another entertaining component of Cash Cab is that passengers can receive help from a series of "lifelines." The first lifeline is the "mobile shout-out," where the passenger can call a friend on the phone and ask for help with the question. If they still don't know the answer, they can use the "street shout-out," where they roll down the window and ask someone on the sidewalk for help. Finally, if the passengers find themselves stuck on a particularly difficult question, they can use the "double or nothing" lifeline, where they can either earn twice the amount of money if they answer correctly or lose everything if they answer incorrectly.

Throughout the show, John Moody offers witty commentary and fun banter with the passengers, ensuring that the atmosphere in the cab remains light-hearted and entertaining. With Moody's energetic personality, the show never feels dull or repetitive, and there's always a sense of excitement in the air as passengers try to answer questions correctly and win money. At the end of their ride, the passengers are dropped off at their destination, richer in both knowledge and cash.

Cash Cab quickly became a sensation when it first aired in 2005, and it continued to gain popularity throughout its run. Its unique format and entertaining trivia questions made it a perfect fit for viewers who enjoy testing their knowledge and watching other people do the same. Moreover, the interactive aspects of the show made it feel more accessible and engaging than other game shows of its era.

Despite its success, Cash Cab saw its last episode in 2012, after seven seasons and over 200 episodes. However, the show remains fondly remembered by fans who appreciated its unique format and entertaining premise. With John Moody at the helm, Cash Cab was a show that never took itself too seriously, but still managed to offer a fun and challenging experience for viewers and contestants alike.

Cash Cab is a series that is currently running and has 14 seasons (236 episodes). The series first aired on December 5, 2005.