History Series / WinBenSteinsMoney

* WhoWantsToBeWhoWantsToBeAMillionaire: One episode was a parody of the show, complete with lifelines.

[[quoteright:260:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/wbsm_6391.jpg]]

''Win Ben Stein's Money'' is a GameShow produced for Creator/ComedyCentral from 1997 to 2003, hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter [[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Ben Stein]]. The initial co-host was radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Creator/JimmyKimmel, who was later replaced by Nancy Pimental, and later by Kimmel's own cousin, Sal Iacon. 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 — [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the contestants really]] ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin were]]'' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin competing for Ben Stein's money.]]

''Win Ben Stein's Money'' is a GameShow produced for Creator/ComedyCentral in the late [[TheNineties 1990s]], hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter [[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Ben Stein]], and featuring radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Creator/JimmyKimmel 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 — [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the contestants really]] ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin were]]'' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin competing for Ben Stein's money.]]

The program featured another unique concept: 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 knowledgeable and fiercely 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.

Kimmel was eventually [[SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute replaced]] by Nancy Pimental, and later by Kimmel's own cousin, Sal Iacono. The show ceased production in 2003.

'''Jimmy:''' And whoever has the higher score at the end of this round, whether it's Troper 1, who starts [[Administrivia/EditWar edit wars for fun]], or Troper 2, who had his [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife life ruined by TV Tropes]], will go on to play against Ben one-on-one for $5,000 of his money. Let's have a look at our topics. They are...

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 knowledgeable and fiercely 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.

* BerserkButton: Never accidentally answer by using "Who/What is...?" This would lead to the offender having to wear a dunce cap for the rest of the segment.

* BerserkButton: Never accidentally answer by using "What is...?" This would lead to the offender having to wear a dunce cap for the rest of the segment.

GameShowHost: Ben Stein. After Round 1, TheAnnouncer would host for the remainder of each show while Ben lowered himself down to being "a common contestant".

Also see ''Series/TheChase'' and ''Series/BeatTheGeeks'', two shows that also require players to outsmart '''highly''' intelligent trivia experts to win 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. Hghly knowledgeable and fiercely 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.

A GameShow produced for Creator/ComedyCentral in the late [[TheNineties 1990s]], hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter [[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Ben Stein]], and featuring radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Creator/JimmyKimmel 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 — [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the contestants really]] ''[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin were]]'' [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin competing for Ben Stein's money.]]

!!GameShowTropes in use:

* Personnel:
** TheAnnouncer: Jimmy Kimmel, Nancy Pimetal, and Sal Iacono, though Jimmy is the most well-known.
** GameShowHost: Ben Stein. After Round 1, TheAnnouncer would host for the remainder of each show while Ben lowered himself down to being "a common contestant".
** LovelyAssistant: Nancy Pimental ''technically'' counts.
** StudioAudience
* PromotionalConsideration: From the show's second season onward.
* RulesSpiel
** Round 1:
--> '''Ben Stein:''' All right, contestants. In the first round, questions are worth anywhere from $50-$150 of my money. Now every time you manage to answer a question correctly, you win money, and I lose it.
** Round 2:
--> '''Jimmy:''' Now we'll see just how smart Ben really is as we play more of ''Win Ben Stein's Money''.\\
'''Ben:''' Welcome back. As this rounds begins, Troper 1 has $<x> of my money, Troper 2 has $<y> of my money, and I have a mere $<5,000-(x+y)> remaining of my original $5,000 stake, which I will now defend by becoming a common contestant!\\
'''Jimmy:''' From this point forward, Ben has no advance knowledge of any of the questions to be asked. Isn't that right, Ben?\\
'''Ben:''' That is right, Jimmy. It's also right--well, it's not ''right'', but it's a ''fact''--that the questions in this round have risen to the <negative adjective> level of $200-500 of my money, that is if '''you''' get them right. If '''I''' get them right, my total stays the same, but thankfully, [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment none of my money is taken away]].\\
'''Jimmy:''' And whoever has the higher score at the end of this round, whether it's Troper 1, who starts [[Administrivia/EditWar edit wars for fun]], or Troper 2, who had his [[TVTropesWillRuinYourLife life ruined by TV Tropes]], will go on to play against Ben one-on-one for $5,000 of his money. Let's have a look at our topics. They are...
** Bonus Round:
--> '''Ben:''' So far, you've managed to take $<x> away from me, and that is yours to keep, no matter what happens. But now you have a chance--albeit a small one--to walk away with all $5,000 of my money, which Jimmy is now wheeling towards us in this safe. And all you have to do is beat me in what we call the "Best of Ten Test of Knowledge." Would you explain it to the group, please, Jimmy?\\
'''Jimmy:''' Yes, <insert inappropriate pet name here>. I'm going to ask <player> and Ben the same ten questions. <Player>, if you can answer more correctly than Ben can, you get his $5,000. Would you like to go first or second?
* SoundProofBooth: Where the contestant and Ben sat during the bonus round. Ben's room was an upper-class library, while the contestant's room was a barren cell.
----
!!This show provides examples of:
* AffectionateNickname: Kimmel frequently gave one to Ben before reciting the rules for the Best of Ten round.
* AuthorTract: Whenever UsefulNotes/RichardNixon was mentioned, Stein (who was a speechwriter for him) would usually say a word or two to defend him.
* BerserkButton: Never accidentally answer by using "What is...?" This would lead to the offender having to wear a dunce cap for the rest of the segment.
-->'''Ben:''' Not "what is?"! This isn't ''Series/{{Jeopardy}}''
-->'''Jimmy:''' That is the cardinal sin; does he look like Creator/AlexTrebek to you?!
* CatchPhrase:
** When Ben lost the BonusRound (which was ''very'' rare), he would say to his opposition "I bow to your superior knowledge! (''bow'') I'm humbled! I'm impressed! I hate you! Get outta here!" — and then hand that contestant that hard-won $5,000.
** In the lead-in to Ben's turn at the BonusRound, after being informed of the score he needed to beat, Ben would usually say, "I shall do my best," or "I take all challenges seriously." (The latter was usually in response to the contestant posting a relatively low mark to beat - generally, anything under 5 right.)
** At the end of Round 1, Ben would say to the viewers "I am going defend my money by becoming a common contestant. Stay tuned, you might learn something!"
** After coming back from the first commercial break, he would usually say "We're back, with more of Win MY--Ben Stein's--Money."
** Before Round 2, Jimmy would say "Now we'll see just how smart Ben really is as we play more of ''[[TitleDrop Win Ben Stein's Money]]''."
** Often, during the Best of Ten Test of Knowledge, when the contestant goes first, Jimmy will say to the contestant, "As the host, I'm supposed to remain neutral, but since Ben can't hear me right now, kick his ass."
* CelebrityEdition: Ranged from hosts of other Creator/ComedyCentral programs, to political commentators, to porn stars.
* ClipShow: Jimmy Kimmel's last episode as co-host was celebrated with one of these, while he and Ben sat in a hot tub (Ben fully clothed).
* {{Cosplay}}: Ranged from TV shows (including ''Series/GilligansIsland'') to political figures (with Ben in drag as [[UsefulNotes/GeorgeHWBush First Lady Barbara]] Bush).
* DareToBeBadass[=/=]ThrowingDownTheGauntlet:
** The OpeningNarration from Stein.
-->'''1998-2001:''' 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]]'''!\\
'''2001-2003:''' "Hello. I'm Ben Stein. My brain is a miraculous instrument. It contains the information I use to protect my money--$5,000. I'll put it up, but I won't give it up without a fight. But if you're smart enough, quick enough, and lucky enough, you can [[TitleDrop Win Ben Stein's Money]]."
** The Closing Narration too, at least in the early days.
-->''(if the contestant lost or tied in the Best of Ten Test of Knowledge)'' That means today, I have successfully defended $<x> of my money, which I will use to take on my next opponents./''(if the contestant won the Best of Ten Test of Knowledge)'' It's been proven that it can be done. ''(regardless)'' Therefore, I challenge all of you to write, call, or email at futility.com, in the hope, as infinitesimal as it might be, that on some distant planet on some distant day, you might [[TitleDrop Win Ben Stein's Money]].
* ADayInTheLimelight: Ben and Jimmy once swapped their traditional duties [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tghGTcyG6Y for an episode]]. [[spoiler:After Jimmy only answered one question correctly out of three that ultimately ended up being asked in the second round, Ben, fearing for the rest of his money, took his normal duties back for the Test of Knowledge.]]
* DeadpanSnarker: Ben Stein.

* SoundProofBooth: Used in the Best of Ten round.

* ADayInTheLimelight: Ben and Jimmy once swapped their traditional duties [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tghGTcyG6Y for an episode]].

*** Twice per Episode: Ben Stein often puts the money back in his vault via... interesting methods. Examples may include "I'm going to blow-dart my money back up on the board", pelvic thrusting it, yodeling it, and more. Essentially any verb one could perform, Ben would do that activity to put the money back.

* FlawlessVictory: The famous episode where Ben agreed to drop his pants if he lost the Best Of Ten saw challenger Bob achieve this by becoming the first person not named Ben Stein to score a perfect 10 in the round, guaranteeing at least a tie[[note]]which would add another $1,000 to Bob's winnings no matter what[[/note]] and forcing Ben to accomplish the same feat, which he failed to do. Cue pants drop.

A GameShow produced for Creator/ComedyCentral in the late [[TheNineties 1990s]], hosted by [[DeadpanSnarker deadpan actor]] and former political speechwriter [[Film/FerrisBuellersDayOff Ben Stein]], and featuring radio personality turned late-night TalkShow host Creator/JimmyKimmel 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 — [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin the contestants really were competing for Ben Stein's money]].

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".) [[note]]Valleycrest, the producers of the program - the same people who produced the American version of ''Series/WhoWantsToBeAMillionaire'', and a division of Buena Vista Television, which was in turn a division of Disney (it was renamed as Disney-ABC Domestic Television in 2007) - set a prize budget for each season. If anything was left from that at the end of the season, Ben got to keep it. If the contestants were better than expected, and the prize budget was exceeded, then it was Valleycrest/Buena Vista/Disney, not Ben, that paid out the overage.[[/note]]

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 knowledgeable and fiercely 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.

** Which also counted as BitingTheHandHumor; as explained above, Creator/{{Disney}}/Creator/{{ABC}} produced this show through their Buena Vista TV arm. Also counts as HilariousInHindsight now that Jimmy is the host of the 2020 ABC revival of ''Millionaire''.

** Which also counted as BitingTheHandHumor; as explained above, Creator/{{Disney}}/Creator/{{ABC}} produced this show through their Buena Vista TV arm.

* Facepalm: Not uncommon to see Ben do this at the start of the second round--especially when the fifth category had a ''really'' raunchy {=pun=}.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: The first season had traditional pull cards for the categories as opposed to being done on TV monitors; the Best of Ten Test of Knowledge had the clock barely displayed on center stage, as opposed to two clocks, one for each booth. Also, the money didn't drop if a contestant won the $5,000 grand prize, and the logo was displayed differently (the second and third words in the center, with the first and last on the top and bottom respectively).