No Super Bowls
Before we get into it, just a quick note that we will only be looking at episodes of television shows and not TV movies, sports, or one-off political or historical events. Otherwise, pretty much every entry would be the moon landing followed by Super Bowl broadcasts, a couple Presidential debates, and maybe a TV show or two. Also, the order in which we have placed the episodes is ascending, based on the Nielsen household ratings.
All In the Family: Edith's Problem
Is Edith going through menopause? That's what 25.2 million households tuned in to find out on January 8, 1972.
Tandem Productions, All in the Family (Edith's Problem 1972)
The Fugitive: The Judgment: Part II (Series Finale)
On August 29, 1967, 25.7 million households watched as the story of Dr Richard Kimble and the one-armed man reached its conclusion. Even more impressive is the 72% share the episode got—indicating that of all the turned-on televisions in the country, 72% of them were watching this episode.
United Artists,The Fugitive: The Judgment: Part 2 (1967)
Roots: Part I
Alex Haley's story of Kunta Kinte began on January 23, 1977—and 28.8 million households checked it out. However, things just kept getting better as the miniseries went on.
Roots: Part VII
The penultimate episode drew in 30.1 million households.
Roots: Part IV
31.19 million
Roots: Part II
31.4 million
Roots: Part III
31.9 million
Roots: Part V
32.5 million
Roots: Part VI
32.68 million households tuned in. 'What about "Part VIII"', you ask? Keep reading and see where it landed.
The Winds Of War: The Storm Breaks
Another miniseries based on a book, The Winds of War follows two families whose lives cross paths during the first years of WWII. "The Storm Breaks" was the second episode of the series and drew in 33.49 million households on February 7, 1983.
Paramount Television, The Winds of War (1983)
The Winds Of War: Into The Maelstrom (Series Finale)
The final winds blew on February 13, 1983 and 34.15 million households watched.
Paramount Television, The Winds of War (1983)
The Thorn Birds: Part 2
1983 was a big year for big time miniseries. After The Winds of War garnered huge ratings in February, March came in strong with The Thorn Birds. The lives of the Cleary family in the 1920s Australian outback was a ratings bonanza. The second episode of the four-episode miniseries drew 35.4 million households.
Warner Bros., The Thorn Birds (1983)
The Thorn Birds: Part 4 (Series Finale)
People were hooked on The Thorn Birds in March of 1983, and the big series finale had 35.90 million households watching.
Warner Bros., The Thorn Birds (1983)
The Thorn Birds: Part 3
More people watched the third episode of the series than the finale. Or at least more households tuned in: 35.99 million.
Warner Bros., The Thorn Birds (1983)
The Cosby Show: Say Hello To A Good Buy
For over four years in the 1980s, The Cosby Show was the most watched show on TV. So, it only makes sense that an episode of the series would make it onto this list. On January 22, 1987 36.1 million households watched Cliff Huxtable buy a new car.
Carsey-Werner, The Cosby Show (1984-92)
Roots: Part VIII (Series Finale)
Here it is. As highly viewed as the other seven episodes of the series were, the eighth and final episode stands high above the rest with 36.38 million households and a 71% share.
Seinfeld: The Finale
When it comes to the controversial Seinfeld finale, you either loved it or you hated it. But either way, you probably watched it—along with 40.5 million other households.
Castle Rock, Seinfeld (1989-1998)
Dallas: Who Done It?
When the third season of Dallas ended with JR getting shot, the question on everyone's mind heading into next season was... Who shot JR? On the fourth episode of the next season, that question was answered and 41.47 million households learned the truth.
Lorimar Productions, Dallas- Who Done It? (1980)
Cheers: One For The Road (Series Finale)
For 11 seasons, we'd watched and LOL'd at the adventures of Sam Malone and the gang at Cheers—and when given one last opportunity to see them all (including the return of Shelley Long as Diane Chambers), 42.36 million households took advantage of said opportunity.
Paramount Television, Cheers: One for the Road (1993)
M*A*S*H: Goodbye, Farewell, And Amen (Series Finale)
Except for some Super Bowls, the O.J. Simpson verdict, and the Apollo Moon landing, no one event has been viewed by more people at the same time than the finale episode of M*A*S*H. 50.15 million households said goodbye, farewell, and amen to the soldiers, doctors, and friends of the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital on February 28, 1983. The episode scored a 77% share, and the estimated 105,970,000 total viewers for a television show is a staggering number that we can confidently say will never be seen again.
