‘The Hustler’s Craig Ferguson on Getting Duped in ABC’s Game Show
Q&A
“It’s kind of an odd duck, really,” says bon vivant host Craig Ferguson of his new game show/mystery/reality series, The Hustler.
Five strangers — one of whom is secretly the Hustler — team up to answer 10 trivia questions worth $10,000 apiece. The rounds offer clues about the Hustler’s identity and two opportunities for said con artist to vote out a competitor. It all comes down to the final three. If two can agree and unmask the Hustler, they split the pot; if they’re duped, the Hustler takes all. Onetime late-night personality Ferguson, who’s guessing just like the players, spills the “twisted” details.
Are you really not told who the Hustler is beforehand?
Craig Ferguson: I have no idea, so I’m playing along with everyone else. And I’ll tell you this: I’m not saying the crew are running a book backstage, because that would be illegal, but nobody would be betting on it because none of us knew. I lost every time.
How often does the Hustler win versus the other players?
It’s pretty even. It’s always a shock. I like it when the Hustler loses, but I grudgingly respect it when they win. About halfway through the second episode, I [realized], “Wait a minute, the Hustlers get paid more than me!”

(Credit: ABC/Christopher Willard)
If you were the Hustler for an episode, what would the hints be?
Probably “The Hustler is actually a keen gardener” or “The Hustler is proud of his ability to make a decent curry” — the kind of thing that makes you go, “Really, Craig, is that true?” And actually, yeah, it is.
The Hustler, Thursdays, 10/9c, ABC
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G
I can't wait for Thursday night to get here to watch The Hustler. I absolutely love this show, even tho I usually end up getting it wrong about 75% of the time, but it's too much fun when they stand up & you finally know who the the Hustler is
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G
I really like the game show The Hustler. Hoping is gets renewed for another season. Please don't cancel it!!!!!!
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C
I love a little mystery, but in this ABC twist, you're the detective to solve who's the Hustler. I have to admit it, I got duped by the Hustler on S1E2 with their final plea.
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G
In the elimination votes, I would like to know how the backstage crew knows which vote is the hustler's. All the votes go in the same tube. Is the hustler's ballot marked? Is there a camera pointing at the hustler? How is it done?
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C
Show is great, reminds me a bit of To tell the truth, which I love with Andy Anderson. I hope they bring it back plzzzz.
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G
If you ever played the game Clue and won you like this game . I’m about 60/40 on getting the Hustler correct .

