‐ Tonight I am hosting
an intriguing and unconventional game.
It involves baseless accusations,
underhanded play, and nonstop interrogation.
Gasp if you will.
And I will. [gasps]
On the line is money, a lot of it.
I'm Craig Ferguson, and welcome to the "The Hustler."
[dreamy harp music]
♪ ♪
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
Good evening.
Good evening, and welcome to "The Hustler,"
the game where the first truth
is that someone isn't telling the truth.
Tonight you five players will team up
to answer ten trivia questions
worth $10,000 each.
Well, not all of you are really teaming up.
One of you already knows all of the answers
to all of the questions.
That's because the questions
are inspired by that person's life.
That person is the Hustler.
[suspenseful music]
The Hustler will attempt
to remain undetected until the end,
while the rest of you try to figure out who the Hustler is.
If you fail,
every single dollar banked
will go to the Hustler.
If you're successful,
the last two players standing will split the winnings.
I say "two players" because along the way,
the Hustler will eliminate
two of you.
Let's get to know each other a little bit.
Sheila, if that's your real name.
What do you do for a living, Sheila?
‐ I am in human resources.
‐ So you can read people pretty easily.
‐ I think so. ‐ Oh, really?
Tell me about Derek. Good evening, Derek.
‐ Good evening. ‐ Let's see.
Derek lives
on the coast somewhere.
I'm not sure if it's East Coast or West Coast‐‐
‐ Is that because he's not wearing socks?
‐ Yes, absolutely. ‐ Oh, for heaven's sake.
Derek, do you live on the coast somewhere?
‐ I do live on the coast somewhere.
I live in Orange County. ‐ Are you the Hustler, Derek?
‐ I am not the Hustler.
‐ You're not the Hustler, are you, Sheila?
‐ I am not. ‐ What a surprise.
I didn't think you were gonna say.
Be weird if Sheila said, "You know, I am."
[laughter]
What do you do for a living?
‐ I am an attorney by day
and a wedding emcee by night.
‐ You're a two‐job guy.
Do you believe him, Jean?
‐ A lot of what he says sounds true,
but there's a little bit
of something that doesn't ring true.
‐ Really?
Are you a suspicious person, Jean?
‐ [laughs] I think so.
‐ Really? Where do you live?
‐ I live in California. ‐ Are you the Hustler?
‐ No, no. ‐ Oh, gosh.
What a surprise. You denied it.
[laughter]
Nikki, if that is your real name,
are you the Hustler?
‐ No, I'm not the Hustler. ‐ Mm‐hmm.
Do you have a pet?
‐ I have‐‐I do have a pet. I do.
‐ What kind of a pet do you have?
‐ I have two cats and a dog.
‐ Mm. [laughs] ‐ That's three pets.
‐ Pets, you're right. ‐ Two cats and a dog.
Do you have any pets? ‐ I do not have any pets.
‐ Too busy planning weddings and lawyering by day.
‐ Absolutely. ‐ What about you, Melvin?
You buying any of this? ‐ Mm?
Something's a little strange. It's a little odd about it.
‐ You the Hustler? ‐ No, of course not.
‐ What do you do for a living? ‐ I'm a banker.
‐ Banker by day and banker by night as well?
‐ And banker by night as well. ‐ Or just a banker by day?
Banker by night? Just checking.
Well, you've all made
very convincing denials of being the Hustler.
I really don't know. That's the thing, by the way.
I don't know who the Hustler is.
‐ Hmm. ‐ I don't know the answer.
What I can do
is, I can give you a clue about the Hustler.
Take a look at my magical bookcase.
What?
The Hustler's favorite snack
is cheddar cheese on chocolate chip cookies.
It's an odd combination.
Anybody here look like they enjoy that kind of snack?
You're all in pretty good shape.
Nobody looks like they're living on cookies.
Very quiet, Nikki. You hiding something?
‐ Um, I like the chocolate chips part.
[chuckles] ‐ You don't like cheese?
‐ I like cheese, just separately.
‐ All right.
Here is the first of three questions
before the Hustler makes their first of two eliminations.
Where was the chocolate chip cookie invented?
Was it the Toll House Inn, Pepperidge Farm,
Entemann's Bakery,
or the Keebler Elf Tree?
You have one minute to agree.
Good luck. ‐ All right.
‐ What do you think about the Toll House Inn?
‐ So I think that, for me,
I think that cookies have to be invented in a bakery.
‐ Yes. ‐ Right, but‐‐
‐ And I've never heard of that bakery before.
‐ But Tollhouse is, like, chocolate chips.
‐ It's a big company, right?
‐ And they sell chocolate chips
loose in a bag for people who bake.
‐ Yes, 'cause I bake all the time.
‐ Okay. ‐ I don't think it‐‐
‐ I like Tollhouse only because
I think of chocolate chips...
‐ Right. ‐ When I think of Tollhouse
'cause they market that really well.
‐ I think Pepperidge Farm makes a lot of crackers.
‐ I‐‐I would say Tollhouse too. I would agree with Tollhouse.
That's‐‐that's the first thing that comes to mind
when I think about chocolate chip cookie.
‐ I don't know about the Keebler Elf?
I don't know what that is, really.
‐ Yeah. ‐ He lives in a tree.
‐ They have chocolate... ‐ Yeah.
But that's not their thing.
‐ They definitely didn't invent a tree‐‐
a cookie, because their tree would burn down, I think.
‐ Ten seconds, my friends.
‐ Are we good? ‐ Toll‐‐yeah.
Tollhouse is it. ‐ Sure.
‐ Tollhouse? ‐ I hope I'm not‐‐
‐ Let's go Tollhouse.
‐ All right. ‐ All right.
Where was the chocolate chip cookie invented?
You think it was invented
in the Tollhouse Inn.
Is that the correct answer, the Tollhouse Inn?
♪ ♪
It is the correct answer!
‐ Whoo! ‐ All right, I like that.
‐ Wow. ‐ I like it.
‐ Well done!
$10,000 goes into the bank.
Did I hear you say they couldn't be invented in a tree
because a tree would burn down?
‐ You did hear me say that. [laughter]
That's just reasoning to me. ‐ Solid logic.
This could be a trick, you know.
‐ I'm‐‐ ‐ This could be a trick.
You understand what's going on here?
"Oh, I don't know!" Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
No. You know what I'm saying?
‐ Could be. ‐ Yeah.
‐ Just be careful.
‐ Okay. ‐ Mm‐hmm.
‐ All right.
The next clue about the Hustler is...
♪ ♪
The Hustler performed as a professional dancer
in "A Chorus Line" off Broadway.
Well, well, well. ‐ Wow.
Talent. ‐ Nice.
‐ Anybody here look like they might have been
at some point a dancer?
You all do, actually.
And I mean that as a compliment.
You all look like you could dance.
‐ [laughs]
‐ All right.
Let's take a look at the next question.
♪ ♪
What show holds the record
for the longest‐running musical...
‐ Gosh. ‐ In Broadway history?
Is it "Phantom of the Opera," "Chicago,"
"Les Misérables," or "A Chorus Line"?
‐ I am not the Hustler, but it's "Phantom of the Opera."
‐ I was gonna say "Phantom"‐‐
‐ "Les Mis" was written a long time ago,
but I don't know how long it's been performed.
‐ Well, but it hasn't been on Broadway that long.
‐ I like that. ‐ It's between those two,
"Phantom" and "Le Mis." ‐ Or "Les Misérables."
‐ I definitely think it's "Phantom of the Opera,"
but if‐‐if anyone has different knowledge‐‐
I just‐‐I read a lot. ‐ I don't have...
‐ "Phantom of the Opera."
‐ "Phantom of the Opera"? ‐ Are you fine with that?
‐ I'll go with it.
I'll go with "Phantom of the Opera."
‐ Are you fine with that, Derek?
‐ I'm okay if we have a consensus.
I think between those two‐‐
‐ It's between those two, so...
‐ Uh...okay, this will be very interesting,
'cause if the Hustler knows
and it leads us off the wrong track...
‐ That's scary. ‐ That could‐‐
‐ Yeah, that's, uh... ‐ You agree?
"Phantom of the Opera"? Is that what we're saying?
‐ "Phantom of the Opera." ‐ Are we all agreeing?
It's "Phantom of the Opera"? ‐ Yes.
‐ Yeah. ‐ Okay.
What show holds the record
for the longest‐running musical
in Broadway history?
You guys are saying it's "Phantom of the Opera."
Is "Phantom of the Opera" the correct answer?
It is...
It is the correct answer! [applause]
$20,000, says the magical painting.
$20,000 in the bank.
Now, who knew the answer to that?
You said right away. ‐ Right.
‐ But you did say beforehand, "I'm not the Hustler."
‐ Right, because I'm not‐‐
‐ So she's probably not, then.
[laughter] ‐ Obviously.
I will say that Nikki agreed very quickly.
Not saying that you're the Hustler.
I'm just saying you agreed very quickly.
Although I also think that a good Hustler
would maybe bite their tongue
if they know the answer's going that direction.
Betw‐‐for what it's worth.
‐ To be honest, she has the body
for somebody who would do "Chorus Line."
‐ I was actually gonna say it was Derek.
He looks very proper and all buttoned up.
And he looks like he matches the set like as if it was...
‐ Perfect. ‐ On purpose.
‐ Oh, that's‐‐ ‐ Oh!
‐ I'm not attacking you. I'm just saying what I noticed.
[laughter] Okay?
So you guys can take that for what it's worth.
‐ All right, all right. ‐ Let's see the next question.
‐ Well, we move forward.
We are two questions into the game,
and you have earned $20,000.
♪ ♪
There's a little bit of finger pointing going on.
Maybe people are getting a little tense.
Which is exactly what the Hustler would want.
Things are definitely going to get messy in my study.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
[soft piano music]
‐ As you can see,
you have already earned $20,000.
We have three more questions
until the Hustler makes their next brutal elimination.
Let's keep going.
Here is your next clue about the Hustler.
The Hustler has used
over 50 teeth‐whitening products.
All right. Big smiles, everybody.
Let's go. Big smiles.
‐ Hmm. ‐ Smile?
‐ Everyone has really white teeth.
‐ Yeah, everyone has pretty teeth.
‐ Oh, wow. [laughter]
‐ Everyone has pretty teeth.
All right.
Let's take a look at the next question.
What are ancient Romans known to have used
as a teeth‐whitening rinse?
Was it crude oil, urine,
olive oil, or blood?
‐ That's a tough one.
‐ I'm gonna go olive oil or blood as the two.
‐ I was‐‐olive oil. I was gonna go with olive oil.
‐ Yes‐‐yeah, I don't think anyone would use urine.
‐ This says Romans, right? ‐ Right.
‐ So they're like warriors? They're warriors.
I don't know if it's something they use
as a part of their battle mythology
to cleanse your teeth with blood.
‐ Blood‐‐blood wouldn't whiten your teeth, I don't think.
‐ Yeah, I think olive oil makes more sense.
‐ Italian region,
that's where the Romans are‐‐ in that area.
‐ I would definitely say olive oil over blood.
‐ Over blood? ‐ I hope.
‐ Me too. I think so.
‐ Let's say olive oil. ‐ Otherwise, it's‐‐
‐ Yeah. ‐ I think olive oil.
‐ Yeah. ‐ Olive oil.
‐ Five seconds. ‐ Let's go olive oil.
‐ Let's say olive oil. ‐ Let's do it.
‐ Are we going for olive oil? ‐ Right.
‐ Is that what we're saying? All right.
What are ancient Romans known to have used
as a teeth‐whitening rinse?
You all think it might be olive oil.
Is olive oil the correct answer?
Will olive oil whiten your teeth?
[all gasp] It will not.
‐ Oh. ‐ Oh.
‐ What will whiten your teeth? ‐ Blood.
‐ Urine. ‐ Oh!
‐ [laughs] Wow.
‐ None of us knew that.
‐ I have been wasting a lot of money.
[laughter] ‐ Oh.
‐ Here's the thing, though.
The Hustler knew
that you were putting the wrong answer in there.
The Hustler gave away $10,000
to conceal their identity.
Did anyone say urine at all? ‐ Mm.
‐ I mentioned, but I didn't think it was‐‐
‐ Yeah. ‐ Right.
‐ Yeah, healthy. [laughter]
‐ Yeah. Probably not.
Jean, do I detect an accent?
‐ Yes. ‐ Where are you from?
‐ London. ‐ Oh.
Okay, you didn't bring that up earlier.
‐ Hmm.
‐ You have very nice teeth for someone who's from over there.
[laughter]
All right.
The Hustler is now ready
to really turn the screws,
to turn up the heat.
They're going to eliminate one of you from the game
right now.
In the table in front of you,
you will find a secret ballot.
Please take out the ballot.
And I want you to check the person
that you want to see removed from the study.
Now, don't spend too much time on this
because the only choice that really matters
is the Hustler's.
And then when you're finished, pop it in this.
In there. Thank you.
And thank you, Derek.
[dramatic music]
Pop this in here.
This is cool.
This is where all the money went on the budget.
[all chuckle]
‐ Oh, yeah. ‐ Oh, yeah.
Now, the Hustler
has made their choice.
♪ ♪
Let's find out who the Hustler
has chosen to eliminate.
♪ ♪
The Hustler has eliminated...
Jean!
Oh, my.
I thought it was you. ‐ [laughs]
‐ I did! ‐ Really?
‐ Yeah, I thought because you're from London
and you've got lovely white teeth.
I thought, "Yeah, that's it, yeah."
‐ It's a weird combination to have.
‐ Yeah. Sorry.
‐ I think the Hustler knows that I know who it is.
‐ Who do you think it is?
‐ I think it's Sheila. ‐ Really?
‐ Mm‐hmm. ‐ Why do you think it's Sheila?
‐ So many things.
Well, a couple of the expressions on her face
at certain questions. ‐ Yeah.
‐ And she was very certain about the cookie.
‐ Did she say pee‐pee for cleaning your teeth?
[laughter]
‐ No. ‐ No?
‐ No, but she wouldn't answer that one.
‐ Oh, right. ‐ And then we all‐‐
‐ She knew it would give her away, you think?
‐ Yeah, I think so. ‐ Mm.
What do you think, Sheila?
‐ Definitely I knew "Phantom of the Opera,"
but I am‐‐I am definitely not the Hustler.
‐ I'm gonna take her advisement...
‐ Right. ‐ Yes.
‐ Into consideration. ‐ Yes.
‐ That's good. ‐ Put it on the table.
‐ And I will make some more astute observations.
‐ Do it, Derek. ‐ Okay.
But listen, you may be steering them wrong.
Maybe Derek's the Hustler!
‐ It could be. ‐ Yeah.
Well, I'm sorry, Jean.
But the Hustler says you gotta go, you gotta go.
Come on, then.
It's been lovely to get to know you.
‐ Thank you, you too. ‐ You've got lovely teeth.
Eh, see you, pal.
Bye!
[applause]
Poor Jean.
Well!
Whoever the Hustler is, they're a heartless bastard,
'cause I liked Jean.
Guess who absolutely wasn't the Hustler.
all: Jean.
[laughter]
‐ So we were all wrong. ‐ Yeah.
So it's one of you four.
[suspenseful music]
Hmm. All right.
There's $20,000 in the bank.
How much more can you get in there?
The Hustler
is looking to run off with all the money.
So don't be fooled,
or you're gonna find yourself going home with nothing.
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
‐ Now, players,
after three questions and one elimination,
you have $20,000 in the bank,
which is very, very, very good.
What else is there to learn?
Let's find out with the next clue.
[suspenseful music]
The Hustler keeps every fortune cookie slip
in a scrapbook.
This is in fact
the Hustler's book
where the Hustler keeps
their fortune cookie slips.
Look at that! They're all in there.
Wow.
"Accept something that you cannot change,
and you will feel better."
See, to me, that's not a fortune.
That's just a piece of unsolicited advice.
[laughter]
Who would do that? Who do you think here?
Melvin?
‐ I think that‐‐I don't know.
I'm‐‐I'm thinking. I got some people in mind.
‐ You like Chinese food?
‐ Yeah, I do, but...
But, um, Derek comes‐‐ Derek comes to mind.
‐ Derek, you do look like a fastidious person.
You wear shoes with no socks.
But yeah, I've now noticed
that you're wearing those tiny little socks
so that people look like they're not wearing socks,
but you're actually wearing the sneaky socks underneath.
That may be a tell. ‐ Mm‐hmm.
He's also a lawyer. He loves books.
‐ Wow, yeah. ‐ And are very good liars.
‐ That's a very nice book. ‐ Very good liar.
Wow, ooh.
Couple of‐‐couple of drive‐bys right on you.
Right there, Derek. How do you feel?
‐ This feels good. ‐ All right.
Let's look at the next question.
♪ ♪
How many fortune cookies
are made each year?
3 million, 30 million,
300 million, or 3 billion?
‐ So I live in a little, small town,
and we still have, like, 17 Chinese places,
and then they're all going through fortune cookies?
It has to be a lot.
‐ I wanna say 30. ‐ I don't think that's enough.
I‐‐worldwide?
‐ 300 million, when you think about
around the world‐‐ it'd be around the world.
‐ I think it's 3 billion. ‐ I don't‐‐
‐ I think a lot of people eat Chinese food.
‐ 3 billion's a lot.
I would say that fortune cookies
are not at a lot of Asian restaurants.
‐ Yeah. ‐ They're not?
‐ They're only at very specifically,
like, cheesy Asian restaurants.
I would be comfortable with 300.
‐ Let's say 300. ‐ I think it's more than 30.
‐ Rock, paper, scissors. Ready?
One, two, three, show.
Oh, I win. I think it's the bigger number.
‐ Okay. ‐ All right.
‐ I'll 3 billion. I'll stick with it.
‐ We rock, paper, scissored it. ‐ Okay.
‐ About 3 billion. ‐ Okay.
Okay, if you're all happy
with the rock, paper, scissors system.
‐ Oh, wait. Now I'm‐‐
‐ Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah!
Now you guys made a thing.
I'm not gonna, "Oh, now best of three and stuff."
Come on! All right.
Using the sophisticated rock, paper, scissors method,
which you all agreed to, I take it,
you're saying 3 billion
is the correct answer.
Is that the correct answer?
♪ ♪
It is...the correct answer!
‐ Yes. ‐ 3 billion!
‐ Okay, good. Good, good.
‐ Magical painting, how much money is in the bank?
Why, it's $30,000.
I feel like there was some information in that round.
I don't know, Sheila. What do you think?
‐ I just know that I know a lot of people
that eat a lot of Chinese food and...
‐ Well, and I can agree with her,
'cause I mean, that's a lot of‐‐around the world‐‐
‐ It seems like the right number, you're saying?
‐ It said the world. I mean, a million...
‐ Right. That's a lot.
‐ So nobody's calling out
anybody as the Hustler yet.
Right?
Nobody, for example,
has noticed how little Nikki has actually said
in the last little while.
[all chuckle]
Why not, Nikki? ‐ We'll see.
‐ Feeling shy? ‐ No.
I'm‐‐I'm kind of in between a couple people, so...
‐ Oh, really? ‐ Yeah.
‐ Who‐‐what couple of people are you in between?
‐ Well, Sheila stands out a lot, but I'm not, like‐‐
I don't know. That's‐‐
I feel like that's the obvious answer
as of right now, so we'll see.
‐ Mm. All right.
Let's take a look at the next clue.
The Hustler loves designer clothing
and once bought a pair of Gucci shoes
for $1,500.
Wow.
I wonder if that person wore little socks
with those shoes.
[laughter]
‐ He's after you, Derek.
‐ Yeah, he's gunning for you.
‐ No, I'm not after him. I'm just‐‐look,
I'm just trying to figure out who the Hustler is.
And I don't even have a dog in this hunt.
I don't get any money, but you guys, you're like,
"Oh, don't say anything bad about Derek."
I'm trying to figure out who the Hustler is!
[laughter]
Shouldn't you be? That's the game!
I'm not saying Derek is the Hustler.
I'm just noticing he's got good shoes...
‐ And nice pants. ‐ But you all have good shoes.
They look like expensive sneakers.
‐ Yeah, I think so. ‐ How much?
[laughter]
‐ I don't know much about women's shoes,
but I know that they can be very expensive.
Is that true?
‐ I don't know.
I mean, they can be, but I can't imagine
wearing a pair of shoes that cost $1,500.
‐ Mm. All right.
Next question is...
which of these celebrities
does not have their own clothing line?
Bill Murray, Victoria Beckham,
John Malkovich, Nicole Kidman?
‐ Oh, my God.
‐ So I hope Bill Murray does not.
‐ Beckham has one, right? For sure?
‐ Beckham and Kidman.
‐ Beckham has the underwear. Beckham, yeah.
‐ Uh, Kidman, I would assume that she would‐‐
‐ Right. ‐ I don't know.
‐ But that's just an assumption just because
she's very into fashion.
Bill Murray has a crazy cult following, though.
So I feel like as‐‐ ‐ The clothing?
‐ No, just a cult following in general, so I feel like‐‐
‐ Oh, because I hope no one wants to dress
like you usually see him dressed.
‐ Yeah. ‐ But Malkovich?
I don't know‐‐Malkovich. ‐ I don't know who that is.
‐ Malkovich was the guy who was in "Man in the Iron Mask."
And then he was also in "Being John Malkovich."
‐ So I wanna say John Malkovich just 'cause I have‐‐
‐ No idea? ‐ Yeah.
I feel like‐‐ yeah, I feel like Murray
has enough of a cult following,
he might actually have a clothing line as some weird‐‐
‐ He might have, like, a T‐shirt or something.
‐ Yeah, or something‐‐ ‐ Oh, yeah.
‐ Ten seconds! Better agree!
‐ I don't think Bill Murray would have‐‐
‐ It's between Murray and Malkovich.
I'm just not sure. ‐ Malkovich?
all: Malkovich. ‐ Let's go with Malkovich.
‐ You think John Malkovich?
Do you think that John Malkovich
is the only celebrity who does not have his own clothing line?
Is that the correct answer, John Malkovich?
♪ ♪
It is not the correct answer.
What is the correct answer? ‐ Oh, no.
[suspenseful music]
‐ What? ‐ Nicole Kidman.
Wow. ‐ I knew it.
‐ So the Hustler let that one go.
‐ Again. ‐ Anybody said Nicole Kidman?
‐ Nobody even fought for it.
‐ I also feel a little surprised
that Bill Murray has his own clothing line.
Isn't that weird? ‐ Thank you.
all: Yes. ‐ Yeah, that was weird.
‐ Yeah, that‐‐that seems‐‐
that makes me feel kind of sad.
‐ [chuckles]
‐ And also interested. All right.
Here's the next clue.
♪ ♪
The Hustler is allergic to dog hair
but still adopted a toy poodle named Ralph.
‐ You have any pets? ‐ No, I don't have any.
‐ No pets? ‐ No pets.
‐ Nikki has pets. ‐ I have pets.
‐ Let's have a look at this dog.
This is the Hustler's dog.
‐ Aw! ‐ Aha.
‐ Hmm.
‐ Can we put anyone here with that dog?
I actually, looking at all four of you,
could easily see any one of you with that dog.
[laughter]
Anybody else get any ideas?
‐ How old is the dog?
‐ I‐‐ ‐ You don't have a dog?
‐ I don't have a dog.
‐ You would deny your own dog for money.
[laughter]
All right.
Let's take a look at the next question.
The name poodle originally comes
from which language?
Is it English, German,
French, or Spanish?
‐ I just wanna say French because‐‐
‐ I know. That's what‐‐me too.
I was thinking as‐‐you know, when I think
of the poodle... ‐ Poodle.
‐ Being all frilly and curly.
‐ French seems so obvious, though.
‐ True.
‐ Okay, so we're eliminating Spanish.
It's not English?
‐ I mean, the English language
is derived from Latin mostly, right?
And so I don't think that
"poodle" is very Latin‐y sounding.
‐ "Poodle"‐‐what does "poodle" sound like?
[with different accents] Poodle, poo‐del.
[laughter]
‐ Ten seconds. ‐ So French or German?
‐ I‐‐I would be comfortable with German.
‐ I mean, it's not the obvious.
‐ So we'll go with the nonobvious?
‐ Three, two, one.
‐ Let's go with German? Let's go with German?
‐ Yeah, German. ‐ I'm good with that.
‐ Okay. ‐ Let's say it.
‐ German? ‐ [laughs]
‐ Okay.
Now, you guys think it's German.
Is German the correct answer?
♪ ♪
It is!
[laughter and applause]
What?
No way!
I was, like‐‐ I was openly mocking
you guys there for that.
'Cause I was like, "'Poodle' doesn't sound German at all."
[with German accent] Oh, it's a lovely poodle.
That doesn't sound German.
It sounds French like...
[with French accent] Poodle.
‐ Yes. ‐ All right.
Magical picture, how much money is in the bank?
$40,000 is in the bank.
Well, well, well.
[with German accent] We were all getting along
like such lovely little poodles.
And now someone has to go.
[normal voice] It's time for the Hustler's
second elimination.
Like last time,
you will find ballots with your names on them
in the table drawer.
Mark the player that you want removed from the game.
However,
only the Hustler has a say
in the matter.
When you're done, pop it into this.
Thank you, Derek.
Thank you, Melvin.
All right.
And now I shall send this
off to be interpreted.
[dramatic music]
♪ ♪
All right.
The Hustler has decided
on their second elimination.
♪ ♪
One player's time in the game
is almost over.
And it could be anyone here.
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
‐ A few moments ago,
the Hustler made a decision
on who to eliminate from the game.
We're about to find out who that person is.
[dramatic music]
The Hustler has decided to eliminate...
♪ ♪
Nikki.
‐ [laughs]
‐ Oh. Nikki.
‐ I know. ‐ I'm so sorry.
‐ I have an idea of who it might be.
‐ Who do you think it is? ‐ I think it's Melvin.
‐ [laughs] ‐ Wow.
‐ I do, yeah. ‐ Okay.
Why do you think it's Melvin?
‐ Um...
I‐‐just‐‐just, I guess, social cues
that I've been kind of, like, picking up here and there.
‐ Have you guys noticed that?
‐ I...have not noticed that,
but I'll pay attention now.
‐ Yeah, you'll be looking for it now.
All right. I'm terribly sorry, Nikki.
‐ No, it's okay. ‐ Please come with me.
Look.
I'm sorry, I‐‐ ‐ Yeah.
Thank you. ‐ Bye.
[suspenseful music]
Well...
look at this.
And then there were three. ‐ [chuckles]
‐ So far, you have amassed the sum of...
what is it, magical painting?
$40,000.
And two of you no longer have to stress
about being eliminated.
But you can
and should continue to stress
about catching the Hustler.
All right. Let's keep going.
What is the next clue, magical bookcase?
The Hustler is a huge fan of country music.
Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is their favorite song.
You like country music there? ‐ Love it.
‐ Yeah? What's your favorite song?
‐ "Jolene."
‐ Is it really? You the Hustler?
‐ No. No, it's not.
[laughs] ‐ It's not?
What about you, Melvin? You like country music?
‐ I'm from Chicago, but it's fine for me.
It's fine. ‐ Derek?
‐ "Jolene's" a good song. ‐ It is a good song.
No one'd denying the‐‐ the worthiness of "Jolene."
All right.
Let's look at the next question.
Which of these artists
has not done a duet with the great Dolly Parton?
Is it Norah Jones, Julio Iglesias,
Queen Latifah, or Garth Brooks?
‐ All right.
‐ I feel like Queen Latifah's the obvious answer,
but I think that's wrong.
I think Garth Brooks‐‐ I don't know.
‐ Ju‐‐Julio Iglesias, that's Spanish.
‐ Spanish. ‐ Right.
‐ So Spanish and country, I don't think‐‐
‐ But Dolly, she mixes it up a little.
‐ Yeah, Dolly‐‐Dolly will definitely, like,
partner up and do duets with a lot of people, so I‐‐
‐ I don't know‐‐ who is Norah Jones?
I don't know who that is.
‐ Norah Jones is, like, a soul singer.
Like, a‐‐like, a soul pop singer?
‐ Okay, so what we saying? Julio Iglesias or Garth Brooks?
‐ Uh...I think‐‐
Garth Brooks is country,
which I feel like he was so big
that he probably would have done a country track with her.
Kind of just‐‐ ‐ You‐‐you like Dolly.
I mean, is Spanish something that‐‐
is that something that she‐‐
‐ Ten seconds!
‐ I've never heard her speak Spanish,
but I don't really know her in person either.
‐ So what are we saying? We saying Garth Brooks or‐‐
‐ Four, three, two...
‐ Let's go with Garth Brooks. ‐ Garth Brooks?
‐ All right, you guys agreed? Who is it?
‐ Garth Brooks. ‐ Garth Brooks?
Okay.
Which of these artists
has not done a duet with Dolly Parton?
You're saying it's Garth Brooks.
Is Garth Brooks the correct answer?
♪ ♪
It is...Garth Brooks!
Another $10,000 into the pot.
Wow!
$50,000.
$50,000 in the bank.
That's not the natural choice. I wouldn't have known that.
And I like country music.
Who was steering that discussion?
Do you remember?
Hmm.
All right. Let's keep going.
The next clue about the Hustler is...
magical bookcase, enlighten us.
The Hustler has never tasted alcohol.
Well, it ain't me. Okay.
[laughter]
You a big drinker, Sheila? ‐ Absolutely.
[laughter] ‐ Yeah. Good for you, girl.
Melvin?
‐ I like to‐‐I partake.
‐ Of what? What do you like to drink?
‐ Um, Hennessy.
‐ Everybody likes Hennessy. ‐ Everybody likes Hennessy?
What is Hennessy?
‐ Hennessy is cognac? Is that right?
‐ Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
You drink Hennessy? ‐ I drink...
yes, I drink Hennessy.
‐ How do you drink it? Do you drink it by the pint?
‐ Definitely not by the pint.
Although ultimately possibly.
‐ Yeah, eventually, I guess. ‐ Eventually.
‐ All right.
On to the next question, please.
Which type of alcohol
is often described as tasting like
liquid black licorice?
Is it Triple Sec, Jagermeister,
Kahlua, or Goldschlager?
‐ It's Jagermeister.
‐ Kahlua's like coffee. That's‐‐that's the one‐‐
‐ Yeah, and Goldschlager's like cinnamon, I think.
‐ Right, it's kind of cinnamony, the Gold‐‐
Okay, I would‐‐yeah.
‐ Let's‐‐let's‐‐
‐ If you guys all agree, I'm happy to just
go ahead and do it.
‐ I agree. ‐ Let's go with Jagermeister.
‐ Okay.
You guys think it is Jagermeister.
The correct answer, is it Jagermeister?
♪ ♪
It is the correct answer!
$60,000 into the bank.
[laughs] [applause]
Ah‐ho.
Man, I've never had an answer come so fast as that one.
‐ You weren't at my 20th high school reunion.
‐ No, I was not. You like the Jagermeister?
‐ I did before that day. ‐ Yeah?
All right.
$60,000 in the bank.
And just two questions are left
until these players
make the biggest decision of your life.
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
‐ All right.
You have $60,000 in the bank
and two more questions.
Let's find out what the next clue reveals about the Hustler.
The Hustler believes
aliens live among us.
[laughter]
Do you believe in aliens?
‐ Um...don't everybody?
‐ No, I don't think everybody does.
‐ Okay. ‐ [laughs]
‐ What about you, Derek?
‐ I definitely...
do believe in aliens.
‐ You do believe in aliens. ‐ I do believe in aliens.
But I definitely don't think they live among us.
‐ Well, okay.
What about you, Sheila?
‐ Yeah. ‐ If that's your real name.
If you're really human and really from this planet.
‐ I‐‐I am on‐‐ guilty on all counts.
And I do not believe in aliens at all anywhere.
‐ Okay.
The next question is...
Who directed the 1979 film "Alien"?
Was it James Cameron, Steven Spielberg,
Ridley Scott, or John Carpenter?
‐ Okay, I'm s‐‐ ‐ That one's Ridley Scott.
‐ Is it Ridley Scott? ‐ Yeah, I know it.
‐ I don't think it's Spielberg.
I don't think it's Carpenter.
I know it's not Spielberg or Carpenter.
It's between Scott and Cameron.
If you're confident that it's Scott,
I'll‐‐I'll roll with that.
Do you have any input?
‐ No, I don't have any input on that one.
‐ Yeah, I feel like those‐‐
it was‐‐"Alien" and "Alien 2" were by two big directors.
‐ Right, right.
I remember the name from hearing both of the‐‐
‐ Yeah, yeah.
Could be Cameron,
but I think maybe Cameron did the second one?
So I'm confident if he‐‐ if he's confident with that,
I would go with Scott, if you're okay with that.
‐ I'm good with that. ‐ It's‐‐it's Ridley Scott.
I heard the name‐‐ I've heard it.
‐ You believe in aliens, though, right?
‐ Is that what‐‐oh, well, doesn't everybody?
[laughter] It's up to you.
You don't believe in aliens, right?
You don't‐‐you don't know anything about aliens.
‐ Ten seconds. ‐ No.
‐ Let's go with Scott.
‐ All right, then.
Who directed the 1979 film "Alien"?
You all think it was Ridley Scott.
Is Ridley Scott the correct answer?
It is...
the correct answer! It is the correct answer.
$70,000 in the pot.
Did we learn anything there?
You knew right away it was Ridley,
but you just knew, right? ‐ Yeah, I knew it.
‐ Everybody seemed to just kind of know?
Is that right? ‐ Except for Sheila.
Unless she...
‐ Sheila doesn't know anything about aliens.
‐ I really don't.
‐ Right, and you allowed it to happen
'cause it was Ridley Scott and that‐‐
‐ Because I didn't know. ‐ Okay.
All right. Let's keep going.
After nine questions,
you guys are up to $70,000.
That is a lot of money.
The only thing better than a lot of money
is a whole lot more money.
And that's what I'm putting on the table
for this tenth and final question.
Here's what I'm gonna do.
You get this next one right,
I'll double that money
to $140,000.
‐ [exhales] [crowd exclaims]
However, you get it wrong,
I'm gonna cut it in half,
take it down to $35,000.
[crowd muttering]
That wouldn't make any sense
because remember, the Hustler
already knows the answer.
Will the Hustler reveal themselves
with so much at stake?
There's only one way to find out, isn't there?
Here is your final clue.
♪ ♪
The Hustler fainted
when they saw a dead body.
The Hustler fainted
when they saw a dead body.
Anybody squeamish?
‐ No. ‐ No.
‐ Not squeamish? You squeamish?
‐ Not at all. ‐ I don't know.
‐ Although I've never seen a dead body, so...
‐ You've never seen a dead body?
‐ I‐‐I can't say that I know how I would react.
‐ Anybody else seen a‐‐have you ever seen a dead body?
‐ No. ‐ No, never?
What about you, Melvin? ‐ No.
‐ No? All right.
Final question is...
after death,
what is the pooling of blood
towards the bottom of the body known as?
Is it rigor mortis, livor mortis,
algor mortis, or pallor mortis?
This is for $140,000.
Answer the question correctly...
[dramatic music]
And the money is yours to fight over.
You have one minute. Go!
‐ So I don't think it's rigor,
because I think rigor... ‐ When you're stiff.
‐ Has to do with the rigidity of the‐‐of the body.
Pallor, I mean, you‐‐
people get pallor something in their feet.
Plantar. No, that's plantar.
‐ Algor mortis.
But we're certain it's not rigor mortis?
‐ Okay, so we know it's not rigor mortis.
Rigor mortis is when you get stiff.
What'd you say about pallor? ‐ About the feet?
‐ Well, I was wrong. I thought it was.
But I think I made a mistake. ‐ But you think about feet.
Livor mortis? Livor?
No, I don't know.
‐ Blood comes‐‐blood flows through the liver.
‐ I've never heard of algor mortis.
‐ But rigor‐‐okay.
I‐‐I honestly, I think it might be rigor mortis.
‐ Ten seconds! ‐ Personally.
I‐‐I personally think it might be rigor mortis.
Even though it's the stiffening, but I mean...
‐ Five seconds.
‐ What do you guys wanna go with?
‐ I've never heard of the other three, so I don't know.
‐ I would go rigor mortis.
‐ Go rigor mortis? ‐ I would say that.
That's‐‐that's my guess.
Even though you guys think it's stiffening.
‐ Stiffening is rigor mortis. That's the stiffening?
‐ Then don't we want to eliminate that?
You guys are confident.
‐ I'm not confident
because I don't know the other three.
‐ Oh, God.
‐ Let's go p‐‐ you wanna go pallor?
‐ Where you wanna go? ‐ Three, two, one, go!
‐ I'll go with pallor mortis. ‐ Pallor mortis?
♪ ♪
After death, what is the pooling of blood
towards the bottom of the body knows as?
♪ ♪
You're saying it's pallor mortis.
For $140,000,
is it pallor mortis?
It is not pallor mortis! ‐ Oh, no.
♪ ♪
‐ What is it?
‐ Livor mortis. ‐ Livor mortis.
I don't even remember hearing that.
[suspenseful music]
You did not get the question correct,
which means I am gonna cut the money to $35,000.
♪ ♪
So either the Hustler gets all of it,
or two of you split that.
♪ ♪
‐ Oof.
‐ [chuckles]
Now it's time for two of you to crack
the biggest mystery of your lives.
Who's the Hustler?
♪ ♪
[cheers and applause]
‐ All right, my friends.
It all comes down to this.
$35,000 has been banked.
If two of you players
both catch the Hustler,
then you'll each go home with $17,500.
A considerable sum of money, I think you'll agree.
But if the Hustler gets away with it,
then he or she takes it all.
$35,000.
Now, let's recap
what we've learned about the Hustler.
The Hustler's favorite snack
is cheddar cheese on chocolate chip cookies.
They performed in an off‐Broadway production
of "A Chorus Line."
The Hustler is a big fan of country music.
They love designer clothing.
On the table in front of you,
there are tiles
with the other players' names on each side of them.
On my cue, I want you to show me
who you believe the Hustler is.
Please, off you go.
[suspenseful music]
♪ ♪
Well.
Melvin, you think it's Sheila.
‐ I do.
‐ Sheila, you think it's Melvin.
‐ I do.
‐ Derek, you think it's Melvin.
‐ I do.
‐ So, Melvin,
both Derek and Sheila think you are the Hustler.
‐ Okay.
‐ I'll give you one final chance
to change their minds.
Your shot of taking home any
of that $35,000
hinges on your ability
to fight your way out of this position.
You have two minutes.
Good luck. Off you go.
‐ No offense, Sheila.
I was thinking the two things
that threw me off with you.
You said you were from California.
Then you said you were from a small town.
‐ Oh, no, no, no, no.
‐ And then you said Dolly Parton?
I mean, who‐‐
‐ Melvin, you need to convince me.
‐ Okay. ‐ Convince me, Melvin.
‐ This is why it's Melvin. ‐ No offense‐‐
‐ No wedding singer person doesn't drink.
‐ Let‐‐ ‐ I agree with that.
‐ Let me say this. And I said.
I wouldn't say it was you
because of the fortune cookie thing.
It's kind of obvious. ‐ Yep, yep. I agree.
‐ I mean, no offense.
I'm just saying why I wouldn't say it was you.
‐ Melvin, are you the Hustler? ‐ No, I'm not the Hustler.
‐ Okay. Gotta ask.
Are you the Hustler? ‐ Absolutely not.
‐ Okay.
My‐‐my position is this.
You definitely have a dancer's physique.
You look good. ‐ Oh, okay, well, thank you.
‐ You look good. You got a dancer's physique.
Uh, and those are nice shoes.
I know nice shoes. ‐ They are.
‐ So‐‐and I know‐‐ ‐ And you're from Chicago.
So, you know, you dress well,
and I could see you being in "A Chorus Line."
‐ So unless you think she is, you gotta convince me.
‐ It seems, like, obvious, but it was going towards you.
‐ You're right. ‐ Everything was too obvious.
With the‐‐that, with the poodle thing,
and all the rich clothes and stuff.
And you look the‐‐the‐‐ the spiffiest,
I mean, of‐‐of it all.
But then she's very‐‐ she's a little poised.
‐ But then, Melvin, what if it's actually Derek?
♪ ♪
Because, you know, he never looked at us.
I don't know if you noticed that,
but, like, between questions,
we were checking each other out
to see what we were thinking. ‐ Yeah.
‐ He never looked at us.
‐ I was thinking strategy. ‐ Uh‐huh.
‐ I was looking‐‐ I was looking at‐‐for sure.
‐ Yeah. ‐ Uh, but I'll tell you this.
You were so confident about the alcohol thing.
‐ Then who let that much money go away?
It's just like, the whole thing
with that‐‐that‐‐ just to do that.
‐ But you were the only one upset about it.
‐ Then pulled‐‐ then pulled me back in.
‐ No, I've been saying‐‐ ‐ Time's up, you guys.
I'm gonna ask you right now.
Sheila, is that your final answer?
‐ It is my final answer.
‐ Melvin, your final answer?
‐ Yeah, this is my final answer.
‐ Derek...
is that your final answer?
[dramatic music]
‐ That's my final‐‐ it's my‐‐
it's my final answer.
‐ Okay.
This is where we've ended up.
Derek and Sheila believe that Melvin is the Hustler.
If you're right, you'll each get $17,500.
But if Melvin is not the Hustler,
that means one of you two has fooled everyone
and will win the entire $35,000.
♪ ♪
Hustler...
please stand up and reveal yourself.
♪ ♪
Oh! ‐ Whoo!
‐ Oh‐ho‐ho!
Well done. Congratulations, man.
That's great. Well done, Sheila.
‐ Great job. ‐ Fair play, man.
I thought it was you! ‐ [laughs]
‐ Well, you're each leaving with $17,500.
You played a great game. Thank you, Melvin.
You've never tasted alcohol?
‐ Wow. ‐ Okay.
‐ Never. ‐ Yeah, you know what?
I wish I could say that. ‐ [laughs]
‐ That's fantastic. But you know what?
As well, I thought you got a dancer's body.
‐ Yeah, the dancer's body.
‐ Yeah, you do have a dancer's body.
All right. That's our show, everybody.
Good night! Good night!
[cheers and applause]
Wow. Wow.
‐ My armpits are sweating.
‐ Well done.
‐ Yeah!
$35,000, split in two, but I'll take it any day.
‐ I really can't believe
that Melvin let it go down
all the way to $35,000.
I would never have done that.
‐ Man, I was this close to $35,000.
You know how many Gucci shoes I could've bought with that?
‐ It's always the shoes.
And so Melvin had some very nice Nike shoes.
And the clue where it was the Gucci for $1,500,
I know men's shoes can go up that high.
I looked at the shoes. I'm like,
"These are some really nice shoes."
That was a big‐‐ that was a big tell.
‐ I'm really shocked that Melvin
owns a toy poodle named Ralph.
‐ Can we talk about the cookies
and the cheddar cheese?
'Cause I don't think anybody mixes those two together
except for Melvin.
‐ I still love my cookies and cheese.
You should try that.
‐ I don't know why I thought Melvin would,
but early on, that was kind of an indicator.
Like, "Oh. I could see him eating that."
‐ Hey, and who knows?
Aliens are real.