History Series / WinBenSteinsMoney

The show offered a $5,000 prize pot which constituted Stein's paycheck for each episode, of which the contestants tried to earn as much as they could; the remainder of the pot went home with Stein, so in a very real sense contestants were taking money out of Stein's pocket. (Of course, Stein was also paid a normal salary on top of his "winnings".)

* NamesTheSame/OneSteveLimit: One episode had all three contestants named Ben Stein.

* GameShowWinningsCap: Contestants only appeared once, and the most they could win was he complete $5,000 pot.
* GoldenSnitch: Although the second round's dollar values were higher than those in the first round, having Ben as a contestant made [[LuckBasedMission come-from-behind victories difficult to accomplish]].
** Though this was rare, there have been situations where a contestant behind by $450 won after responding correctly to a $500 question.
* LuckBasedMission: The dollar values are never shown until the topics are chosen. It's not so bad in the first round, but this can make any lead of less than $500 evaporate in one question.
* NamesTheSame: Once did an episode where all three contestants were also named Ben Stein.

* ObviousRulePatch: Originally, the contestants were to receive the full $5,000 prize if the contestant and ben Ben were tied in the Best of Ten Test of Knowledge. However, the producers figured out that ties could happen rather frequently. As a result, the bonus awarded for tying Ben was reduced to $1,000.

* OneSteveLimit: Mentioned above in the "all Ben Stein" episode, where the contestant podiums had "Ben #1", "Ben #2", and "Ben #3". When the second round came about, the podium occupied by Ben Stein (the host) had name "Big Ben".

** When Ben asked Jimmy to explain the BonusRound rules, the response would be something akin to "Yes, [[Series/RedDwarf Nipple Nuts]]".

-->'''Jimmy''' (''during a Ben win''): Are hookers deductible as "entertainment expenses?" (''To which Ben answered, "Yes, of course."''')

A GameShow produced for ComedyCentral in the late [[TheNineties 1990s]], hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter Ben Stein, and featuring radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Jimmy Kimmel as [[TheAnnouncer the announcer]]. Using the common "quiz show" game model, and sporting a humorous atmosphere (as befitting a Comedy Central program), the show might have been forgotten as merely another ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' clone if not for its unique concept — the contestants really were competing for Stein's money.

The program featured another unique conceit: Since his own paycheck was at stake in each episode, Stein would actually turn the [[GameShowHost hosting/moderating duties]] over to Kimmel during the game's second round and would join the contestants as a contestant himself. The BonusRound featured the winning contestant going head-to-head with Stein in a "Best of Ten Test of Knowledge", a timed rapid-fire questionnaire. Stein was no slouch as a contestant; highly competitive (especially when defending his earnings), he regularly trounced the actual contestants and rarely gave a wrong answer — although there ''were'' quite a few times when he lost the entire $5,000 pot to some "superior intellect", as he would say.

The program featured another unique conceit: Since his own paycheck was at stake in each episode, Stein would actually turn the [[GameShowHost hosting/moderating duties]] over to Kimmel during the game's second round and would join the contestants as a contestant himself. The BonusRound featured the winning contestant going head-to-head with Stein in a "Best of Ten Test of Knowledge", a timed rapid-fire questionnaire. Stein was no slouch as a contestant; highly competitive (especially when defending his earnings), he regularly trounced the actual contestants and rarely gave a wrong answer — although there ''were'' quite a few times when he lost the entire $5,000 pot to some "superior intellect", as he would say.

* OpeningNarration:
-->''Hello, I'm Ben Stein. And today, I'm going to make history. I'm putting up $5,000 that says I know more than you. So if you're smart enough, fast enough, and if you've got the guts, you can ''[[TitleScream Win Ben Stein's Money]]''!''

* ActorAllusion: One contestant was stumped and instead answered "[[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Bueller...Bueller]]" [[OneSceneWonder in reference to Ben's previous role as the teacher.]]

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: It's a game show hosted by Ben Stein, and you're literally trying to win his money.

* GoldenSnitch: Although the second round's dollar values were higher than those in the first round, having Ben as a contestant made come-from-behind victories difficult to accomplish.

* ObviousRulePatch: Originally, the contestants were to receive the $5,000 prize if they got tied Ben in the final round. However, the producers figured out that ties could happen rather frequently. As a result, the bonus awarded for tying Ben was reduced to $1,000.

* WaxingLyrical: At the beginning of each show, Ben recites a pop culture reference in monotone before putting $5000 up for grabs. Song lyrics are common.

** If Ben was asked the questions second in the bonus round, Jimmy would ask an eleventh question if time had not expired. Two such examples:

* UnexpectedlyObscureAnswer: Usually found under the $500 questions in the second round.

** In fact, record lowest amount of money Ben ever lost on the show was only $150.

A GameShow produced for ComedyCentral in the late [[TheNineties 1990s]], hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter Ben Stein, and featuring radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Jimmy Kimmel as TheAnnouncer. Using the common "quiz show" game model, and sporting a humorous atmosphere (as befitting a Comedy Central program), the show might have been forgotten as merely another ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}'' clone if not for its unique concept — the contestants really were competing for Stein's money.

* BonusRound: The Best of Ten Test of Knowledge. If the player lost, they only kept any money they won previously. If there was a tie, the player would win $1000 in addition to the money they've already earned. If the player wins, they get all $5000 of Ben Stein's money.

-->''Hello, I'm Ben Stein. And today, I'm making history. I'm putting up $5000 that says I know more than you. So if you're smart enough, fast enough, and if you've got the guts, you can ''[[TitleScream Win Ben Stein's Money]]''!''
* PlayingAgainstType: Ben Stein was ''very'' loose and relaxed on this show -- a stark contrast against many of the roles he's played on TV and film.

* [[OnceAnEpisode Twice An Episode]]: Ben Stein often puts the money back in his vault via...interesting methods.

* [[OnceAnEpisode Twice An Episode]]: Ben Stein often puts the money back in his vault via...interesting methods.
* OneSteveLimit: One episode averted this by having three contestants who were all named Ben Stein (labelled as Ben #1, Ben #2, and Ben #3). When the second round came about, the podium occupied by Ben Stein (the host) had name "Big Ben".

-->''Hello, I'm Ben Stein. And today, I'm making history. I'm putting up $5000 that says I know more than you. So if you're smart enough, fast enough, and if you've got the guts, you can [[TitleScream Win Ben Stein's Money]]!''

** When Ben asked Jimmy to explain the BonusRound rules, the response would be something akin to "Yes, [[RedDwarf Nipple Nuts]]".

* HoYay: Deliberately played up by Jimmy numerous times.
-->'''Ben''': Would you explain it to the group, Jimmy?
-->'''Jimmy''': Absolutely, my piping-hot loaf of ass!
** And then there was the episode where Jimmy came up with the idea of having Ben take off an article of clothing for each question answered correctly by a contestant in Round 2...

* BonusRound: The Best of Ten Test of Knowledge.

->''Hello, I'm Ben Stein. And today, I'm making history. I'm putting up $5000 that says I know more than you. So if you're smart enough, fast enough, and if you've got the guts, you can [[TitleScream Win Ben Stein's Money]]!''

->''Hello, I'm Ben Stein. And today, I'm making history. I'm putting up $5000 that says I know more than you. So if you're smart enough, fast enough, and if you've got the guts, you can [[TitleScream Win Ben Stein's Money]]!''

** TheVanna: Nancy Pimental ''technically'' counts.

* ShoutOut: One contestant was stumped and instead answered "[[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Bueller...Bueller]]" [[OneSceneWonder in reference to Ben's previous role as the teacher.]]