Editorial: Awful show receives well-deserved axing

Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000 | 9:28 a.m.

Fox executives loved the ratings of "Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire." Sure, the show generated millions of viewers, but don't confuse this with quality television. The show's success was more akin to when motorists bring traffic to a standstill, gawking at a car wreck on the side of the road.

Now it seems that the "multimillionaire" might not be so rich after all. Rick Rockwell may have embellished his resume and he has been accused of threatening a former girlfriend. Fox had planned last night to repeat the popular episode, which originated from Las Vegas, but shelved both the rebroadcast and future shows after questions were raised about Rockwell's past.

Not only was this show a sad commentary on the state of television -- reaching for the lowest common denominator -- this also is a sorry reflection on a society so enamored with money that contestants were willing to take such sacred vows lightly. Good riddance to a bad show.

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