Win Ben Stein's Money

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.

This had to have been one of the funniest game shows of it's era. Ben Stein has to be one of the sharpest and funniest individuals to host a game show and during the era when Jimmy Kimmel was his co-host it was a classic. Unfortunately, after Kimmel departed the show the show went downhill from there. Nancy Pimental and Sal Iaconno didn't have the chemistry that Stein and Kimmel had and what a shame because this show was definitely the best thing that Comedy Central had on it's schedule.

this show is very good, and funny. it's not a roll on floor can't stop laughing show, but it's fun, silly, and funny. the questions are real hard up until the last 10 questions to win the big money. i usually get a lot of the last 10 questions right, but the questions before are real hard to me. all in all it's just a really fun show. on a scale of 1 to 10 i give win ben stein's money an 8.

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.

With the possible exception of The Millionaire, which has only been on a few times and is not a regular series. Unlike Trebek, Sajak, and all those other phonies who pretend they actually knew the answer that none of the contestants did, Ben Stein is the real deal. He plays along and admits that he doesn't always know the answers (though he knows most of em). And unlike the silly Jeopardy show, contestants dont have to phrase their answers in the form of a question (which is truly idiotic). Jimmy Kimmel (who also co hosts the immensely entertaining Man Show) is a funny guy and a good co-host too. My only objection is that the prize budget should be higher.