One day I was channel surfing when I stumbled across a cable show, aptly titled, Cash Cab.
When New Yorkers flag a taxi on mean city streets in a mad dash to the airport, or uptown to Tin Pan Alley to catch a Broadway show, they may unwittingly alight into a bright yellow chauffeured auto which is actually a game show on wheels!
If the riders agree to play, every question that is answered correctly, nets a pay day.
On the other hand, miss three queries in a row, and their sorry butt will be turfed back into the street as middle America scorns at 'em at home.
One day, a trio of effervescent unsuspecting pals really hit the jackpot.
Yeah, they departed the cash cab a few hundred bucks the richer.
Exotic cocktails and pricey sushi on the cash cab, all 'round!
Unfortunately, an agent for a big-time athlete, was "sol" on his third question in spite of assistance from a friend.
Oh, didn't I tell you?
If a contestant gets stumped, there are a couple of lifelines to grab onto (much like those within a player's grasp on Regis Philbin's popular TV hit "Who Wants to be a Millionaire") .
If a tough brain teaser throws a guest off-kilter, he or she may call a friend on their cell for a tip or clue.
Or, in the alternative, the cabbie will screech to a halt and offer up the chance to ask a passer-by to show off their knowledge at trivial pursuits.
Golly, one lucky stiff must have had horseshoes up his a**.
How many pedestrians do 'ya expect would know who the author of "Atlas Shrugged" was?
Moi, of course, because a student I had a crush on in grade 10 was a fan of the writer.
But, I expected a strike out, believe me.
Wouldn't 'ya know it, the woman strolling along with a pal, hollered out the correct answer without skipping a beat.
"Ayn Rand."
Whoa Nellie, good one!
So, the producers of the novel entertaining bill of fare, are gearing up for a stint next season on the wild 'n crazy streets of the West Coast's City of Angels (Los Angeles).
"Maybe it will get more people to flag a cab and leave the gas-guzzling environment-damaging SUV's at home," a show rep lamented.
Me?
I'm going to wander downtown and keep my eagle eye out for the cash machine careening the jam-packed streets.
Yeah, I love trivia, alright.
But, more importantly, easy extra cash to pay bills in these troubled financial times has rustled up a great incentive to walk the pavement, too.
Um, you know what I mean!
