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! 
ABC…Have you totally lost it!! To me, this show was the greatest game show to hit the scene in quite some time. Even better than the hit Deal or No Deal! What were you thinking?
My husband and I loved the show. We don’t watch ABC that much. When we had to work we taped it. I hate it when they pull a show off right in the middle of the season. especially since there was a contestant that want’t done yet. I want to know how much he won. I hope that they atleast show the remaining episodes, but doubt it.
I am not surprised that this show was pulled. It was cheap and trashy. The girls behaved like poll dancers. The contestants were annoying and obnoxious. I thought the show had no class and that it was beneath Shatner’s abilities. I am glad it is no longer on the air and hope it dos not come back.
yea show me the money was pretty cool. I just DVRed the last show and wonder what happened to the guy who won 650K before we got the pluged pulled. Also, it only lasted 5 episodes? Thats bad. What really makes me mad is how they got rid of other awesome shows like The Chair and The Chamber. How cool where those?!
I have one thing to say – screw ABC!
ABC “LOST” me when they snuck in ‘Day Break’ so that the LOST writers could take more time to think of more nonsense for “LOST” without ever answering any questions. I refused to watch DayBreak because of ABC’s interjection of DayBreak in LOST’s time slot after only 6 new episodes premiered for the new season, and apparently so did many other viewers. I am glad that ABC’s idea to try and catapult Daybreak off the success of Lost fell flat on the ground. With the cancellation of SHOW ME THE MONEY, ABC is merely angering more and more viewers to… Read more »
I was very dissapointed when i found out ya’s show went off air i loved that show it made me feel like i had a chance to be myself but on tv. I really hope ya decide to reput it back on tv.
Thanks!
Why the heck would any RATINGS GURU at ABC use statistics from the week before christmas as real numbers…. most people are busy shopping , wrapping, etc for the holidays… OH BUT MOST OF THE EXEC”S ARE PROBLY JEWISH.. and at home already into their holiday season
I just found out “Show Me the Money” was pulled. I liked it. I am very disappointed. I’m tired of the same ole junk on TV. ABC hasn’t had a lot to offer me in a long time. I will NOT watch these silly reruns. Game shows seem to be seeing a revival & I like it. I hope they reconsider.
This was a great show that, semmed to be doing well.
Why would a network do this, while the show was in the middle of its first season?
This is disgraceful…not mention that I had intented to submit a tape to be on this show & meet Mr.Shatner.
He is one of the best actors and I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for him. What a shame!
I love this show. I was really good answering the trivia questions. I wish I could of been up there screamin’ “SHOW ME THE MONEY”!
Hey it’s the ABC. doing the same thing the WB and FOX do. taking a show off the air before letting it GROW.
that show was awsome i am p***d i only have one channel and now i get to watch george lopez thanks abc thanks for nothing
REALLY REALLY SUCKS TO THOSE OF US WHO REALLY LIKE THE SHOW AND HAD JUST FILLED OUT AN APPLICATION TO BE A CONTESTANT. I HATE RERUNS
I hate it when networks do that, start a show and then pull the plug in the middle of it, at least let us see what te last contestant did (win or loose). They did the same thing with The Mole some years back. This will ultimately be the down fall of a network some day if they insist on keeping this type of practice.