Despite mediocre ratings in season one, ABC decided to renew Dirty Sexy Money for a second year. Unfortunately, their gamble hasn’t paid off and it looks like time is running out for the Darling clan.
As the story of Dirty Sexy Money begins, idealistic lawyer Nick George (Peter Krause) finds himself taking over his late father’s single client, the very rich and dysfunctional Darling family. Patriarch Tripp Darling (Donald Sutherland) is incredibly influential but needs all the help he can get to manage the fragile relationships with his wife Letitia (Jill Clayburgh) and their five grown children; politician Patrick (William Baldwin), promiscuous Karen (Natalie Zea), corrupt clergyman Brian (Glenn Fitzgerald), and immature, party-loving twins Jeremy (Seth Gabel) and Juliet (Samaire Armstrong).
Tripp also needs Nick’s help in fending off his enemies like rival billionaire Simon Elder (Blair Underwood). Thankfully, Nick has the support of his wife Lisa (Zoe McLellan) and their young daughter. Other characters are played by Lucy Liu, Will Shadley, Laura Margolis, Bellamy Young, Candis Cayne, Shawn Michael Patrick, Chloe Moretz, Sheryl Lee, Andrea Smithson, and Daniel Cosgrove.
Money debuted on September 26, 2007 on ABC. The premiere episode attracted 10.44 million people and a 3.6/12 rating /share of the 18-49 demographic. The following week’s numbers fell by less than 10% which was a very positive sign. Unfortunately, the show essentially kept falling each subsequent week, hitting a season low of 6.52 million viewers and a 2.0/8.
The show’s production was interrupted by the writers strike and Money’s creator, Craig Wright, wondered if it would ever return. Ultimately, ABC decided to take a chance and renewed Money for a second season with an order of 13 episodes.
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The gamble didn’t pay off. Season two of Money kicked off on October 1st with only 7.02 million viewers and a 2.4/7 in the demographic. The following week’s installment fell to 5.85 million and 2.0/5. Subsequent episodes have averaged less than six million viewers, making last season’s low-point look good by comparison.
The network has yet to order additional episodes or indicate interest in doing so. The cast and crew are currently wrapping production on what is likely the show’s last episode. ABC’s midseason schedule hasn’t been officially released but one that’s being shown to advertisers doesn’t have Money on it.
The series could still be under consideration for a third season but that seems highly unlikely considering the ratings decline between seasons one and two.
The sixth episode of season two is scheduled to air tonight, leaving seven to go. With Money’s declining viewership, you have to wonder if ABC will even air them all. If they do, it will likely have more to do with the network’s economics than plans for the series’ future. Where’s Tripp Darling’s influence when you really need it? Stay tuned! 
Image courtesy ABC.
ABC is insane. This is one of the best shows on network television. I’ve been looking forward to its return. ABC has put so little promotion into it , I had to go to the website to find out when it would be on. This a major mistake on their part. They should finish the season and promote the show.
@Dave: ABC is burning off the last few unaired episodes.
I am in Hawaii and just found DSM on ABC TV. What is going on? Do we finally get to have our favorite show back?
i love this show,heck my whole family does.if it got the commercial time as all the other shows on nbc,it might do better.i didnt even know that it came back on last week,thats how publazied it was.but i will be watching tomorrow nite.I DONT THINK NBC WANT’S IT ON.THERE LOOS
What an absurd! DSM was my best show, the only show i watched on tv in LITHUANIA! it is very well known show all over the world and it is cancelled – it is ridiculous!
I absolutely love this show!!!! Intresting plot although a bit predictable… Great and beautiful actors playing beautiful and charismatic characters. The show itself very chic,pleasent and attracts viewers to watch it,gives positive emotions and keeps you wondering what willl happen next! Love ” Dirty Sexy Money”
I can not believe ABC. A show finally comes to light that has a wonderful cast, exciting story line, and interesting look at lives most of us will never see. This show was something very different from the same old cop, doctor, or reality shows that are clogging the air waves. I don’t know where the rating system generated its data, but i can tell you that this show was what everyone was talking about at work the next day. I’m seriously disappointed that this show has not been a major success.
Please bring back Dirty Sexy Money. I loved the show and Karen is from my hometown in Texas.
AHHH Man! Finally there’s a wonderfull bunch of talent combined, and the bloody marketing dept forgot to spread the news on dirty money. Its a real shame mainly because of the powerfull casting that made me feel like a part of the ridiculous class level with a teaspoon of modesty! Bloody good show, and was hoping for that next ep. that never came to. Too bad. The dagger for this show was so obvious. BAD MARKETING AND FILM!!!! You cannot expect a rating audience to constantly wait for who knows how long for the next dose of what was a… Read more »
please do not cancel the show, it is really good even watchin it on internet from russia. love it!!! love Nick and Karen together!!!
Dont cancel this show – It’s different and we like the characters – very different
Please don’t cancel this show – it is such a guilty pleasure! I know only 6 million people were avidly watching it – but we have to at least get an ending!!
Don’t cancel the show— I was looking forward to season 3!!
Quote:MBF said – “Is the world of ABC so desperate to turn everything to reality shows that you’re going to remove an actual program that comes from the historic roots of shows like Dynasty, Dallas, and others where people planned their weeks around to watch.” Thats what I’m talking about! All these idiotic reality shows!!! Give us a break, leave us something!
Not cool please please please let them do a 3rd Season!!!!!!