Host: Todd Newton
Announcer: Randy West
Networks: PAX, distributed to GSN.

Premise: Sande Stewart strikes again! "Jackpot!" meets "The Terminator." where seven contestants play for a week answering entertainment trivia.

Rules: One of seven contestants is randomly chosen to begin the game at center stage. Each of the other six contestants holds an envelope either with money or the "Box Office" card. The player in control calls on one of the players to come play at the podium, and reveal what is inside. Dollar amounts are added to the Box Office, which starts at $10,000. Envelopes contain $100-$1000. The players are asked a series of three-choice questions by Todd. The first to chime in gets to answer, and scores a point if correct. If not, the opponent can choose from the remaining choices. This continues until someone gets three points. That player keeps or takes control of the game.

If the Box Office card is found, the pot freezes, and the winner of the Showdown plays for all the money. The player is given two categories, and must choose one. A short answer question is read. A right answer wins $500 and continues. Subsequent right answers win $500 more. Wrong answers end the game with no additional winnings. The player may quit at any time, and remains in control. If five questions are answered in a row, the Box Office Jackpot is won, and the contestant retires, and a new player takes his or her place at the Showdown Podium, with the 'gallery' returning for a fresh game.

On Friday, when time runs out, all remaining players open their envelopes. The one with the Box Office card plays the final Showdown. The winner of that Showdown can take $1,000 or return next week to play again.

Several special weeks were held during the two seasons of Hollywood Showdown:
Blockbuster Week: During November sweeps, a special week gave players the chance at a doubled pot. Random games would have a "Blockbuster" card instead of the regular "Box Office" card. The player who won the Blockbuster challenge would play the solo game, but for twice the value of the Box Office. The largest win in the show's history was won during this week: $33,620.

Full Monty Week: Consisted entirely of players named Monty or Monte. Other than the cute gag, no gameplay changes were made.

Armed Forces Week: The only change was that the Friday Finals game was played for $2,000; with the loser getting $1,000. The remaining players kept whatever was in their envelope.

Tournament of Champions: Players who had won the Box Office once before came back to try and do it again.