I Was On Cash Cab (MAJOR SPOILERS)
OK. Fire away. I'll give answers to the most frequently asked questions, and try to answer any questions asked.
1.)It's not exactly a set-up or random. Show producers troll trivia nights at local bars and approach the winners, with an offer to be on some "show", being filmed the next day. They don't tell you it's for Cash Cab.
2.)They do pick up some people randomly off the street. Those are usually the dumbasses that strike out right away.
3.)Once you're in the cab, and the lights, bells and whistles go off, the cab pulls over and you fill out some paperwork: releases/confidentiality agreement. You are bound not to disclose what transpired until after you get paid. Then you're free to run your mouth.
4.)All questions are for real. There is no prepping. If you give a wrong answer, and you feel strongly enough about it though, you can challenge their answer. I did, and my wrong answer was overturned. One of the few ever.
5.)That money at the end: real, but you don't get to keep it. Once the the camera stops filming you walking away, the money is taken back. You are then mailed a check, in up to 6 months. The following year, you are sent an I-9, so you have to declare the winnings to the IRS, and pay taxes.
That pretty much sums it up. Any questions?