Cash Cab returns to Canadian TV for the first time in almost 9 years — with a musical twist

New this season, contestants can ask for help on social media and participate in final round karaoke

Iconic Canadian game show ‘Cash Cab’ returns with a new twist

Nearly nine years after the beloved game show ended, ‘Cash Cab’ returns on March 4 with original host Adam Growe. Ahead of the premiere, CBC Toronto’s Haydn Watters sat down with Growe to learn more about the show’s triumphant return.

Canada’s Cash Cab is releasing new episodes for the first time in almost nine years, but this time with a twist.

The iconic game show is returning as Cash Cab Music, allowing unsuspecting customers to put their musical knowledge to the test and win cash for every trivia question they answer correctly while they get driven to their destination. The catch is, patrons risk getting dropped off mid-trip if they get three questions wrong.

Adam Growe, the show’s long-time host, said since many Torontonians are familiar with the show, it was harder to surprise customers during filming compared to previous years. But with this new season, he said enthusiasm for the show also helped many contestants stand out and will provide good TV to viewers at home looking to learn something new while having fun.

“They’re seeing real people. They’re real emotions, whether they’re happy or not. And that’s what people were kind of longing for,” Growe told CBC Toronto, adding the return of the show means a lot to long-time fans.

“But once in a while there’s a group of people that get in and one person’s like, ‘I have no idea what’s going on.’ And I love those moments because it’s a new fan right away because they’re going to get a chance to win money.”

Cash Cab Music host Adam Growe said the show is coming back for the first time in almost nine years, but this time with a musical twist. (Submitted by Touchwood PR)

This time around, contestants can expect to be drilled on their knowledge of topics such as Canadian music, legends in the industry, movie soundtracks and even musical history. They can ask for the help of strangers on the street or friends via phone call and, new to this season, can also ask people to weigh in on social media.

In another new twist, contestants can double their money if they belt out the answer to the final question in what the show dubs the “Cash Cab Karaoke” segment — an example of a feature Growe said can be adaptable for different themes of the show in the future.

“We could really go anywhere,” said Growe, adding that he’s excited for the show to start airing in Canada.

“We could do another music season. We could do a movie and television season, a sports season or, you know, anything,” he said. “It just proves that the show, the format and Canadians in the Cash Cab are just a perfect match.”

Cash Cab premieres its ninth season on GameTV on Monday, March 4 at 8 p.m. ET. A full list of where to catch the show can be found here.