AXN’s “Cash Cab” is revving up its engine in the Philippines to surprise unsuspecting commuters in a truly mobile game show.
Created especially for the Filipino audience, the Emmy award-winning program taps the services of Ryan Agoncillo as its designated driver.
“It’s a dream come true to be in the ‘Cash Cab’ Philippines,” Ryan, who assumes the role of “Manong Drayber,” told INQUIRER.net in an interview.
The multi-awarded host and actor feels happy that he gets to work for AXN, a cable channel he’s been following for a long time.
“I’ve always dreamed of being a part of the show as a contestant, even better, as a host,” he said. “I’ve watched the show since they did it in New York. And I love the Asian version with Oli [Pettigrew].”
The Cash Cab, which appears to be a regular taxi service, will ply along the busy streets of Manila to pick up random passengers who will suddenly find themselves as contestants for a game show.
While driving the passengers to their destination and quizzing them on general knowledge, Ryan will give away a cash prize for each correct answer.
The contestants have only up to three strikes for incorrect answers before they get kicked out of the cab, no matter where they are in the road.
On the show, Ryan said he would be a master of multi-tasking. He’s driving while asking questions, operating the lights, getting directions from his staff from a remote station, and making sure that everyone is having fun—all at the same time.
“More than the 17 years of hosting that I have done, what has prepared me for ‘Cash Cab’ Philippines is really drift car driving and motorcycle racing and taking my kids and driving them to school,” he said.
‘Best way to go about in traffic’
Ryan said commuters, who usually get upset due to the hellish traffic in the Metro, would definitely enjoy the game.
“It’s the best way to go about in traffic. Instead of getting mad over the traffic, you are actually having fun playing. You’re getting cash. You’re getting rich in traffic, a concept we all want to be a part of,” he said.
A basic rule in ‘Cash Cab’ is that the game ends when the contestants reach their destination or when they get three wrong answers.
If they are stumped by a question, they can either call a friend (“mobile shout-out”) or ask a stranger for help (“street shout out”).
“I drop hints that the longer they stay in traffic, the more cash they win. But also the more they stay in the cab, the more they got the chance to get three strikes,” Ryan said.
He said the passenger could not change their minds in the middle of the game. “They have to dictate where to go in the beginning, and then we set the game.”
“You can’t just suddenly tell me to pull over if you have a lot of cash, and you no longer want to play. It only ends if you get kicked out penniless or you have a ton of cash at the end of the destination,” he said.
“I hope to see you guys on the road. This is the best way to get stuck in traffic because it’s the only cab that pays you,” he concluded.
“Cash Cab Philippines'” premieres in a double episode on December 22 at 8:50 pm, with an encore on December 24 at 9:15 pm.