"Win Ben Stein's Money" (1997) TV series 1997-2002

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Writers:

Ed Crasnick (writer)
Lou DiMaggio (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | unknown

Release Date:

30 July 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Game-Show

Plot:

Jeopardy-like game show featuring Ben Stein as both a host and a contestant. The second and third rounds...

Plot Keywords:

Quiz Show | Pun | Non Fiction | Character Name In Title

Awards:

7 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Ben Stein	...	Himself - Host / ... (44 episodes, 1997-2002)
Jimmy Kimmel	...	Guest Co-Host / ... (17 episodes, 1997-2002)

Runtime:

30 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:TV-PG | Canada:PG

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Buena Vista Television

Trivia:

'Stein, Ben' originally wanted the prize pot to be $10,000, but it wasn't clear at that time how often he would win. The powers that be chose a more conservative number, $5,000.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the episode with Jon Scieszka and other authors, during their introduction, there's one shot with the scores at the first break (instead of all zero).

Movie Connections:

Featured in "The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time" (2006)

Simply the best on TV!

This show, as other user comments will tell you, is about three contestants who go up against Ben Stein to win $5000. In the first round, Ben asks the questions and the three contestants answer. If their answers are in the form of a question, Ben affixes a "Dunce" cap to their heads. At the ends of the first round, the lowest scorer is eliminated and the money (s)he won is returned to the pot. Ben then takes that contestant's place, leaving Jimmy or Nancy to ask the questions. As Ben promises, "From this point on, I have no knowledge of the questions to be asked." The game goes on. In the event of a tie in either round, there is a tie-breaker question. After both rounds are finished, the "Best of Ten Test of Knowledge" happens. It's just Ben and the highest-scorer. Ben's isolation booth is ritzy, decorated with a painting and a beautiful background. The challenger just sits on a stool in front of a cracked wall and a light bulb hanging from the ceiling. If Ben wins, the contestant keeps the money already won from Ben. If the contestant wins, money flies from the ceiling and Ben takes some from the safe, cheerfully cursing at his loss. If there is a tie, then the contestant keeps the money already won plus $1000. I still have a "Let me watch Ben Stein in peace" ticket given to me for Christmas by my sister. I miss Jimmy, especially since I saw him on David Letterman last summer.