The ride’s over for Discovery Network’s “Cash Cab”.
After nearly 7 years and more than 200 episodes, the cable network has decided to halt production on the Emmy–winning game show. A Discovery PR rep confirmed the demise. Hosted by Ben Bailey, Cab tweaked the conventional quizzer format by recruiting its contestants from the ranks of unsuspecting taxi passengers. Folks hopped in expecting a cab ride but were then told they were on a TV game show and had a chance to win money by answering questions as they drove toward their destination.
Because it usually aired outside of prime time, Discovery never made a big deal out of the show’s Nielsen ratings, but TV insiders clearly loved it.
“Cash Cab” beat out veteran game shows such as “Jeopardy!” and “The Price is Right” to win the Daytime Emmy for Best Game Show in 2008, 2009, and 2010; Bailey won for Best Host in 2010. Repeats of the show will continue to air in syndication, and it’s possible the show could find its way to another network.
Meanwhile, city commuters looking to get rich can only hope that somewhere, someone is working on Bus Billionaire.
