On this day June 14, 1984, the final episode of the television series Lottery aired on ABC. The show lasted one season with a total of 17 episodes. It followed IRS agent Patrick Sean Flaherty, played by Ben Murphy, and Eric Rush from the Intersweep Lottery, played by Marshall Colt, as they tracked down new lottery winners each week.
Each episode explored how unexpected wealth changed the lives of ordinary people, highlighting the emotional highs and lows that came with sudden fortune. Blending drama with feel good moments and moral questions, the show presented a different winner's story in each installment.
Although it had a unique and timely concept, Lottery struggled to attract a large viewership and was not renewed for a second season.
80s insight: Lottery captured the 80s fascination with money, dreams and the belief that one lucky break could change everything. It was a reflection of the era’s hope and risk wrapped into one weekly story.
Each episode explored how unexpected wealth changed the lives of ordinary people, highlighting the emotional highs and lows that came with sudden fortune. Blending drama with feel good moments and moral questions, the show presented a different winner's story in each installment.
Although it had a unique and timely concept, Lottery struggled to attract a large viewership and was not renewed for a second season.
80s insight: Lottery captured the 80s fascination with money, dreams and the belief that one lucky break could change everything. It was a reflection of the era’s hope and risk wrapped into one weekly story.
