Executive Producer Bertram van Munster gives details about ABC’s new reality game show
By Lie Shia Ong
MSN TV
What if you were given $100,000 and told you keep it only if you could hide the money for 48 hours? Seems simple enough, right? Not exactly. In ABC’s new show “Take the Money and Run,” contestants are given $100,00 in a suitcase and are given exactly one hour to hide it. After the time is up, they’re taken into custody by police detectives and are interrogated for 48 hours. The detectives can use cellphone records, any receipts and GPS coordinates to try to figure out where the money is. If the detectives are able to find it, it’s theirs. If not, the contestants are $100,000 richer.
MSN TV spoke with Executive Producer Bertram van Muster (“The Amazing Race”) about how the idea for the reality game show came about, and where he’d hide the money if he played the game.
MSN TV: How would you describe “Take the Money and Run”? It seems like a very interesting premise.
Bertram van Munster: It’s a reality show that almost becomes like a drama. It is interesting how the show develops into something very original and totally riveting. I don’t think it’s ever been done before. Every show had a completely different outcome, to our great surprise. … It has a lot of twists and turns … and it’s completely fascinating.
How did the idea of the show come about?
Somebody came to me with the concept of the show, and both [producer] Jerry [Bruckheimer] and I loved it. We said, ‘This is a very good idea,’ and then we developed the show into what it is now.
Where was the show filmed?
It was filmed in San Francisco, Chicago and Miami.
Do you have a memorable moment that stands out while you were filming?
There were a lot of memorable moments, and I’m not just saying that. The whole thing is just completely riveting. We’ve shot six shows for ABC, and everyone was just like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe this is happening!’ A great reality show comes from great casting … and I think we are very fortunate to have a great cast.
How tough are the interrogators and detectives on this show?
It’s more of a mind game. They are tough, but the contestants are tough, too. IT’s really a mind game that’s going on. There’s no waterboarding, if that’s what your question is [laughs].
If you had an hour to hid $100,000, where do you think you would place that money?
I’m going to hide it behind the carport at my ex-wife’s. How do you like that? [Laughs]. I hope [everyone] likes the show. It’s quite riveting.