Velocity Variables are accepted in JavaScript Array??

I am developing an Ajax AutoComplete using javascript.

I have an Array in which i am adding elements.

        var suggestions = new Array();

#foreach($show in $allShowList)

suggestions.push($show);

#end

when i do the above it does not add the variables to the list(it doesnt display then in autosuggest)

but if i do
$show="someValue"
suggestions.push($show);

Then it adds this thing

Can some1 tell me why, is it a type compatibility issue?