Cash Cab's Ben Bailey gives us some answers
By Ed Condran
Special to amNewYork
• Ben Bailey is at Comix Friday and Saturday
Most taxi drivers don’t give money to passengers just for taking a ride. However, Ben Bailey, driver of the “Cash Cab” is not most taxi drivers.
The host of the Discovery Channel’s Emmy Award-winning show, Bailey picks up unsuspecting passengers, who end up as contestants on a game show navigating the bumpy streets of Gotham.
We caught up with the veteran standup comic.
Were you a cabbie or comic first?
Comic. But I’ve been a driver for years. I’ve delivered prescriptions, flowers and food. When the word spread through Manhattan clubs that a producers were looking for a comic to drive in this show, people in the clubs said, “That’s something for Ben Bailey.”
So you had to get your hack’s license?
Yes, I did. It was well worth it.
What’s the wackiest response you’ve received after you explained the rules of “Cash Cab”?
The funniest reaction I’ve gotten from people is no reaction at all. They just keep doing what they’re doing.
How many people have gotten upset with you?
I’ve had a woman cry. She was having a hell of a day. She was trying to get to a job interview. A cab took her to the wrong place and then she hailed another cab, which unfortunately for her was my cab.
Where are we most likely to get picked up?
All I can say is, not Brooklyn. I go all over Manhattan. I’m usually trapped in Midtown gridlock.
Is there a certain type of person you’re looking to pick up?
No one who has luggage or is part of too large of a group. Otherwise, they hail me and I pick them up.
Has anyone said, “This is ridiculous,” and demanded to get out?
Absolutely. Many people have done that. Fools who lived to regret it.
Who has been the most successful contestant?
The new biggest winner will be airing in the new episodes. A guy, who was alone, won 6,200 smackers.
Since you’ve done the show for three years, do you have the game show bug?
It’s great. I love it.
But would you like to jump to another level and perhaps host a network show?
I should have taken over as host of “The Price is Right.” But seriously, I would hate to leave as host of “Cash Cab” for anything else. It’s a great show. It’s the house that I built.
Your show won an Emmy but you lost the host Emmy to Alex Trebek.
That bastard Trebek beat me. Bob Barker beat me the year before. My friends said I should have gone “Happy Gilmore” on Barker. But those guys have been around forever. Barker has been hosting shows for 50 years and Trebek for 48 years. You have to give them credit.
What should fans expect when they see you live?
They will get to hear me talk about “Cash Cab” somewhat, along with lots of new material. They’ll see me in a different light. I’m a little different on the stage than in the cab out of necessity.
The “Cash Cab” board game is out. Is there a Ben Bailey figure in a cab driving across the board?
No but there is a big picture of me on the box. My family is proud and they should be.
