411: 'Best Cab Ride Ever' My Ass!

In one of the worst things to happen to transportation since the proposal to allow cell phone use on airplanes, the Discovery Channel is touting a new show called Cash Cab, a reality show where unassuming "passengers" become contestants en route to their destination. You can win cash but if you answer three questions wrong, you get dropped off on the street.

First of all, what this has to do with "discovery" is anyone's guess. Unless you want to discover how pissed of a New Yorker can get when you try to boot him from the cab into a rainstorm during rush hour.

Second, it's hosted by some stand-up comedian. I guess they're trading one hack for another.

Really, its hard enough to try to get a driver to take the most direct route, get rid of the cherry-flavored incense, and just drive. The pleasure of the backseat of a cab, as opposed to the crush of mass transit, is to enjoy a quiet trip without having to make small talk (the cabbies are usually yacking away on their cellphones anyway). Now I have to worry about remembering who was the 23rd President of the United States?

And what about fender benders? We hope the producers are insured when Cash Cab becomes Crash Cab.

We prefer Taxicab Confessions anyday to this mess of a reality show.