CBS pulls "Million Dollar Password" from its schedule

[chad1m]

Since I know there are some fans of the show here, I figured this would be useful to post. According to The Futon Critic, CBS has pulled Million Dollar Password off of its current schedule. They removed the two remaining episodes in the season (along with a season one repeat) from the schedule, replacing them with episodes of 60 Minutes, The Mentalist and Cold Case. It's unknown when the episodes will air, or if the show is officially canceled.

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wtf. Seriously. The program has been gaining in ratings every week, nearly creating an all-time season high Sunday. But, heaven forbid... if the 18-49s aren't high enough, the show is obviously a flop. I hope there's some sort of mistake or quick re-scheduling going on.

[moonie]

They are nutz.

We thoroughly enjoyed watching it here. My Moonlettes go to bed giving clues to each other. I dont watch any of those other CBS shows, either. (cept for 60 Minutes sometimes)

[Sir_Galahad]

Oh No!!!!!! I was seriously considering applying for this show. I have always enjoyed playing along and <humbly> thought I would make an excellent player on the show. Of course I realize that you could get stuck with a shlub but it's the chance you take. But, I am sorry to hear this.

I did, however, notice that the money-ladder format was eerily similar to a game show I used to watch.

[Kazoo65]

What stupid idiot made this decision??? Steve Beverly kept saying in the Daily Game Show Fix that the ratings kept going up every week. I LIKED this show-it actually requires using brain cells!

PLEASE change your minds, CBS and keep Password on the air!!

[MarleysGh0st]

wtf. Seriously. The program has been gaining in ratings every week, nearly creating an all-time season high Sunday. But, heaven forbid... if the 18-49s aren't high enough, the show is obviously a flop. I hope there's some sort of mistake or quick re-scheduling going on.

Welcome to the world of the demographically undesirable, Chad!

<grumble>®



You're lucky your episode has already aired. TPTB don't have to pay contestants if they don't air their particular episodes, do they?

[chad1m]

You're lucky your episode has already aired. TPTB don't have to pay contestants if they don't air their particular episodes, do they?

The contract says they can if they want to, but they're not legally bound to.

[Snaxx]

Bummer!

Since I'm on Steve Beverly's Game Show Fix email list, I'll see what he has to say about it in the coming days.

[Millionaire Fan]

This really sucks. I hope they don't cancel it. I still want to audition for the show.

[peacock2121]

dang!

[MarleysGh0st]

You're lucky your episode has already aired. TPTB don't have to pay contestants if they don't air their particular episodes, do they?

The contract says they can if they want to, but they're not legally bound to.

Yeah, right.

Let's take a survey of corporate bean counters:

You're not legally bound to write some checks in the $25K range (or more).

Do you want to?




Hmmm. How would they answer?

[hermillion]

How ridiculous! The show was fun to watch, and the ratings numbers were increasing.

Chad, I enjoyed watching you on the show! I hope you're enjoying your $$.

[Jeemie]

What gives, Chad?

I clicked on your link, and got an automatic ad trying to seel me anti-Spyware software.

Not the second time, though...hmmm.

Anyhow, the MAWG Syndrome strikles again...and in this case, hard.

10.41 million overall viewers...but only a 1.9 rating amongst 18-49 year-olds? Wowzers!

Did WWTBAM ever skew that old?

[lilclyde54]

I guess the kiss of death is when The Baboo and I make a special effort to watch a game show.

[TheConfessor]

According to Steve Beverly's newsletter, some people may be jumping to wrong conclusions.

*****"PASSWORD" PULLED FROM SUNDAY NIGHT LINEUP BECAUSE OF FOOTBALL RUNOVER

Sunday night's celebrity players on "Million Dollar Password" were to have been Jamie Kennedy of CBS's "The Ghost Whisperer" and
comedian Norm MacDonald.

Only one problem: you won't see them. Because of San Diego and Pittsburgh's AFC Divisional Playoff now scheduled
as the late game Sunday afternoon/evening, the post-game will run until at least 8 p.m. (ET). CBS is opting now to air
"60 Minutes" in its entirety from 8-9 p.m.

Some media reports surfaced last night that "Password" was being pulled altogether because of its 1.9 rating in 18-49s
last week but CBS has not confirmed that. The game was not scheduled for January 18 because of the AFC Championship game.
A January 25 date for "Password" is still listed on the network schedule, though uncertain is whether CBS would use the
McDonald-Kennedy episode on that date.

Sunday night's show was scheduled to feature Amy Roach of Burbank in the nightcap taking on game show veteran Madeline Ali of Brooklyn. Ali was on Fox's "Greed" in 2000 and appeared later on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire," as well as "Hollywood Squares" and GSN's "Friend or Foe."

The originally announced Jan. 25 show was to pit Jeff Garlin of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and Chelsea Handler of "Chelsea Lately,"
further proving that CBS still doesn't get it. Nothing against Garlin or Handler personally but the vast majority of American
television viewers have never seen "Curb" (particularly in the "Password" demographic) or "Chelsea Lately" and the two of
them will draw a collective "Whoooooooo?" from most of the audience.

We'll tell you again: go for a classic veteran of this game and the network's top star at the moment and you'll pack the
house. I'll guarantee a top ten rating.

Who do we mean? Carol Burnett and Mark Harmon. Pair one of the greatest players of this game ever with the
star of CBS's currently most popular show and you have a combination. Does someone have to be bashed in the head with
a rubber mallet to understand this? It does stand to reason that the last two times Carol did reunion specials on CBS, they
went through the roof in the Nielsens and Harmon has huge appeal to the "Password" age demographic. Pardon me, but I
get as frustrated with this as Tim Brando does with college football's inept method of picking a national champion.

To those of you who are experienced and veteran producers or performers who read THE FIX every day, please tell me if I
am missing something here.

[peacock2121]

Thanks for the clarification and for keeping the hope alive.