Show Me the Money: ABC Shows Shatner Game Show the Door
ABC’s new game show, Show Me the Money, seemed like a sure thing. It featured the irrepressible William Shatner, an amazing set, lots of cash, crazy contestants, simple trivia questions, beautiful dancing girls — how could it lose? It was touted as the next big sensation and the network announced it was ordering six additional episodes. Now, its been yanked from the schedule. What happened?
Show Me the Money debuted on Tuesday, November 14th with a special preview edition taking the place of Boston Legal and following the incredibly popular Dancing with the Stars. It was hosted by venerable TV star William Shatner who audiences know from Star Trek as the heroic Captain Kirk and Boston Legal as the unpredictable Denny Crane. This special 90-minute debut episode of Show Me attracted an average of a 8.1 rating (almost nine million households) for the night — very respectable numbers. Game shows typically cost far less to produce than regular dramas or sitcoms so it looked like ABC had a cheap hit!
On December 8th, ABC announced it was ordering six additional episodes of the game show, bringing the first season’s total to 13 episodes. The network also said that it would move the show to Tuesday nights at 8pm beginning in January. It looked like “the Shat” and the dancing girls were going to be around for awhile.
Or, maybe not. The ratings for Show Me the Money have continued to fall since its debut and last week, it seems they dipped just a bit too low. On December 13th, Show Me attracted less than five million viewers — dropping 16% in the all-important 18-49 demographic from its previous airing.
Apparently this dip in viewers has made ABC execs rethink their strategy. They’ve not only cancelled the additional episode order but they’ve also pulled the game show from the schedule effective immediately. Repeats of sitcoms George Lopez and According to Jim will fill the Wednesday timeslot until the end of the year. Repeats of America’s Funniest Home Videos will take the place of Show Me on Tuesday nights at 8pm in the new year. Videos and Show Me are both produced by Endemol USA.
There are two unaired episodes of Show Me the Money left on the shelf. It’s been reported that ABC is planning to air them sometime in January. But, considering that the show has been pulled from the ABC website, I wouldn’t bet on it. Stay tuned! 
March 9th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
This show wasn’t given a long enough chance, pity was a good show. maybe it will make a comeback like star trek after it was canned way too early
February 13th, 2007 at 9:56 pm
ABC, you need to go back to school and learn about marketing and ratings, yes the % of the rating was down the week before Christmas. You are fools to cut the show, It was a lot of fun to watch. You would be very smart to put it back on the air. We want Shat back!!!
February 13th, 2007 at 7:57 am
I really like the show. I’m into all kinds of game shows. They really need to put it back on the air
February 9th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
I have watched ABC all my life i am 44 years young I can not believe what you are doing SHOW ME THE MONEY was wonderful,funny and i love William. I am a Grey’s,Boston Legal, What about Brian,and Show me the money. I hate to say it but you are going to loose alot of your viewers i am disabled and only get ABC and FOX so if you keep this stupidity up it will be Hello Fox.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
This was the best game show on TV. The cancelation by ABC is indicative of the mentality of the average American viewer tuning it out.
February 9th, 2007 at 6:41 pm
I’ve just spent the past couple weeks tring to figure out what happened to SMTM. FINALLY THE WEB TELLS ME IT WAS CANCELLED! Ya think ABC would of told me so I wouldnt waste my time looking for it. I HATE when they yank a show and dont tell you. Plus, this was a good show. I loved that you werent thru if you missed a question. That you could go on as long as you got more questions right than wrong. I also loved that the prize money went up and down by the value of question. I even liked Shatner. The poll dancing was a little trashy but it was better than the boring way DOND or 1 vs 100 fill time. ABC… BRING THE SHOW BACK!
February 6th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
it was a great show, now abc sucks
February 6th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
Poor decision for ABC to pull “Show Me the Money”. Great piece of entertainment! We looked forward to it every week.
February 3rd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
I liked the show and especially Shatner as host. It was a difficult time slot for me…had to toggle back and forth between other long-time favorites. Please continue Show Me The Money with William Shatner as host, but at a different time. How about right before Boston Legal? PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE THAT ONE!
January 31st, 2007 at 1:51 pm
Although I enjoyed the “game” itself, the dancing girls were a bit too much. They reminded my of the local strip joint and William Shatner’s invitation for them to dance at every opportunity took time away from the main reason for the show.
January 30th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
What a let down. I am truly disappointed by ABCs decision to pull the plug. I was anxiously awaiting to see if the last contestant would win or lose. This was the only show that I watched on network television on Wednesday night. ABC has lost another viewer.
January 30th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Everytime I get into a show on ABC they cancel it. Now the best game show on TV is gone..”Show Me The Money”. They don’t give shows a chance. I will not watch “LOST” again when they start back up in February. Taking it off for two months then expecting their audience to start watching it again is a bit too much. Network TV is no good anymore. Thank God for cable!! ABC is the worst of the four networks. FOX is the best. ABC SUCKS!
January 29th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Show Me the Money was an outstanding game show introduction. The presentation was high energy and visually superior to all other recent game show launches. William Shatner was genuinely funny and quick witted; far from what we are inflicted with on The Money or the Mob. The shows dancers, theme music, and rapidly changing dress was captivating. Wake up ABC; you have a winner.
January 26th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
My husband and I really enjoyed Show Me The Money and are very disappointed that you took it off the air. Out of all the game shows on the air now we liked this one best.
January 21st, 2007 at 8:49 pm
I was devastated to read that Show Me The Money was pulled from the air waves. That’s broadcast TV. As soon as they come up with something less boring than the sh*tcoms, they pull them from the air. Thanks ABC for grabbing my interest for about 3 hours, and then cutting me free. I’ll go back to CABLE feeds like HBO, DISCOVERY, and SPEED CHANNEL, where I was before I got interested in your new game show. I hope ABC dies like the big three, GM-FORD and last but not least CHRYSLER!!!
January 20th, 2007 at 10:44 am
Show Me the Money was a delightful show. I enjoyed seeing William Shatner as a dancing host. The questions were great too. ABC should bring back a good quiz show.
January 18th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
i hate the ABC station!!! this was my favorite game show!! i am so upset!!
January 18th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I just found out about you cancelling “SMTM”. I was looking all over for it as I have satelite t.v. but as I find out…gone! As I read the other comments, I myself thought when Shatner danced he was hilarious. He is great on Boston Legal and he was great on “SMTM” Too bad, but our comments don’t change anything and some were rude! Tsk. tsk.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I loved this show and William Shatner… at least you had to answer some skill testing questions(unlike the other show where all you do is pick a briefcase and act stupid the rest of the show)
Bring back “Show me the Money” and Bill Shatner!
If another network picks it up, I’ll be watching that network…
January 18th, 2007 at 8:41 am
It was a very nice show. Girls were great too! Hope they reconsider their decision.