During one of the episodes of "Richard Simmons' Dream Maker" Ed McMahon was a guest and appeared drunk on stage. He was supposed to give 1,000 dollars to a older couple whose dream was to start a business. Since he was under the influence, he gave the 1,000 dollars to the wrong couple and passed out on the stage.
During taping of "Richard Simmon's Dreammaker" A gentleman was on the show; to do a dancing contest for a free trip for his and his wife's Honeymoon. He lost at the end, but was given 500 dollars for making it 3rd place. In a interview for Alabama's premier newspaper; The Alabama Horn. The couple went on to say that they never received the 500 dollars and ended up getting a divorce because of a lengthy 3 year court battle for the 500 dollars in question. At the end of the court case; the ex married couple owed their attorneys, close to 16 thousand dollars and they both had to file for bankruptcy. When asked for a comment, Richard Simmons denied to give one. Jerry Penacoli went on to say because of this controversy, the network cancelled the show and the missing 500 dollar mystery was never mentioned again.