Riding again with Ben

Just watched the debut of Bravo's reboot of Cash Cab.

It's nice to report that the new network has gone back to the classic three games per half-hour. That means a pleasant pace, though Bravo's habit of abruptly breaking to commercials was a little annoying. Ben Bailey was as expressive and vocal as ever, and the social media shoutout was a bearable update on the old mobile phone feature.

The pop culture content was noticeably higher, but not all the questions were about current singers and TV shows and whatnot. The pop angle did get a workout, though, even on questions about more recondite subjects. For instance, a query about the Goths sacking Rome in 410 BC included a reference to modern-day Goth kids. But this is Bravo, after all, so we're inevitably gonna get poppier than the old Discovery eps.

The reboot also updated the road map graphics, and the roof of the cab flashed green dollar signs and red X's and other brightly colored whatsamajiggers. All in all, the show is certainly a respectable rewind, and I hope it draws an audience in late night.

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