The Fifth Hour: Penny for your thoughts?

September 12, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Ben Maller has spent months waiting for a phone call that never came. For the past several months, he had been in "standby mode" with NBC, discussing a potential revival of his sports betting show Benny Versus the Penny for another season. There were conversations about other concepts too — non-gambling shows, elevator pitches for different opportunities. But ultimately, "somebody entered a conference room carrying a spreadsheet, and the spreadsheet always wins." The show did not get picked up. Maller came up "a few votes short." And so, on this Saturday edition of The Fifth Hour, he finally spills the tea on what happened, why the show keeps dying, and what he plans to do with the property he still controls.

The Show That Almost Was

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What you'll learn

1 (04:12) **Episode Open & College Football Preview** - Ben Maller sets up the Saturday edition and runs through the day's biggest matchups with betting picks.
2 (08:31) **A Penny for Your Thoughts: The TV Show Saga** - Ben reveals the behind-the-scenes story of trying to bring "Benny vs. the Penny" back to television.
3 (17:34) **The Original Blueprint & The Pandemic** - Ben details how the 2020 pandemic killed the original launch of "Benny vs. the Penny" on NBC.
4 (20:08) **Why the Show Isn't on Radio & The Search for a Sponsor** - Ben explains the financial reality preventing a full comeback of "Benny vs. the Penny" on radio or YouTube.
5 (24:24) **The Future of the Penny** - Ben outlines his plan to keep the spirit of the show alive in a scaled-down format.
6 (30:09) **Barry Melrose Tribute: The Legend vs. The Record** - Ben reflects on the life and career of hockey personality Barry Melrose, who died at age 70.
7 (40:17) **Closing & Mailbag Call** - Ben wraps up the episode with final picks and a call for listener questions.

+ Full timestamped outline available in the app

Guests on this episode

Ben Maller

Show Notes

Benny returns for your Saturday audio needs—because apparently you have nothing better to do. He breaks down the must-see college football games and recklessly tosses in a couple bonus picks against the spread.

Then, A Penny for Your Thoughts: Why is Benny vs. The Penny back on radio? Ben takes you behind the curtain for the TV negotiations, Hollywood nonsense and attempted resurrection.

Plus, what happens when the late great Barry Melrose and the Mandela Effect meet The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. Sure, why not?

Normal price: $999. P1 price: FREE. Frankly, still overpriced.

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