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

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 & 15 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:

Contestants who answer in the form of a question, as though they were on "Jeopardy!" (1984), are given a warning. After a repeat offense, they are required to wear a dunce cap.

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:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Blood Waters of Dr. Z (#11.5)" (1999)

A funny, smart game show

Win Ben Stein's Money is a game show that requires some brains (unlike Wheel of Fortune) but is funny and doesn't take itself as seriously as Jeopardy. The show is hosted by Ben Stein, who is probably most famous for his appearances as a teacher in "The Wonder Years" and "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", along with Jimmy Kimmel as the smart-ass side-kick.

There is a lot of shtick, and good interplay between Stein and Kimmel that gives the show both humor and likeability. Kimmel is funny and rude, but occasionally crosses the line to gross or mean. Special theme episodes are occasionally shown, such as a recent cross-dressing episode. Another fun bit, is that if a contestant answers in the form of question, ala Jeopardy, they are forced to wear a dunce cap.

The premise of the show is that Stein has put up $5,000, which he will try to keep the contestants from winning. The exact financial details might vary somewhat - fine print at the end of the show hints at this. Stein competes against the contestants, usually successfully.

The show starts with 3 contestants, who choose from five categories, with various joke/scatological titles. Questions are assigned a dollar value for correct answers, and in the first round have a $50 follow-up. At the end of the first round, the contestant with the lowest winnings is dropped, and replaced by Ben Stein. At the end of the second round, the contestant with the highest winnings is selected to go on to the "Best of Ten Test of Knowledge", a one-on-one contest directly against Stein. The constestant and Stein are locked in isolation booths (one of the jokes is that the contestant's booth has a bare lightbulb, steel stool, and cracked plaster, while Stein sits in a booth with paneling, and an overstuffed chair). The contestant and Stein are given the same ten questions, and if the contestant beats Stein is given all $5000 dollars put up by Stein.

The show airs on Comedy Central, Monday-Friday, twice in the evening.