The Most Watched TV Episodes Of All Time

By Ryan 1 year ago

1. The Wonder Years- Independence Day

Image source/ stackerInspired by "A Christmas Story," and one of the most popular shows of the 1980s, "The Wonder Years" was a coming-of-age show in which Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) recalls through voice-over and flashbacks what it was like growing up during the radical 1960s and '70s. This episode got 21 million views. 

2. The Mary Tyler Moore Show- The Last Show

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After seven seasons, Mary Richards shut down The Mary Tyler Moore Show in one of the most renowned and enduring goodbyes in television history. The programme received an Emmy Award and served as the benchmark for many more series finales. This episode got 21.2 million views.
 

3. Alf- The Finale

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the enduringly popular 1980s family sitcom starring the Tanners, a middle-class suburban family, and the furry, amiable extra-terrestrial ALF (whose name stands for "Alien Life Form"). ALF gains new acquaintances as he learns more about Earth, but his slovenly and cynical demeanour frequently leads to issues. This episode got 21.7 million views.

4. LA Law- Finish Line

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On May 19, 1994, L.A. Law delivered its final closing statement after eight seasons. At the ripe old age of 42, Becker (Corbin Bernsen) believes his greatest days are behind him in the series finale. This thrilling finale episode of LA Law, shown on NBC got 22.1 million views.
 

5. MacGyver- The Finale

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Currently running on CBS are the exploits of a youthful MacGyver, although it's difficult to match the popularity of the original cunning secret agent. In the seventh season's series finale of MacGyver, which aired on May 21, 1992, it was revealed that Sam, a cool young biker who assisted with a difficult case, was in fact MacGyver's son. This episode got 22.3 million views.
 

6. St Elsewhere- The Last One

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NBC broadcast this ground-breaking urban medical drama from 1982 through 1988. Denzel Washington, Ed Begley Jr., Howie Mandel, and Mark Harmon are among its former students. On May 25, 1988, viewers watched the series' finale and this episode got 22.5 million views.
 

7. Full House- The Finale

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The Olsen twins appeared in the original, but a sequel is now available on Netflix. In the two-part series finale from May 23, 1995, Michelle (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) was hurt after falling off her horse while competing in a jumping competition. She was so knocked unconscious and awoke with amnesia. This episode got 24.3 million views.
 

8. Golden Girls- One Flew Out of the Cuckoo's Nest

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The Golden Girls series finale on May 9, 1992, was concentrated on Dorothy (Bea Arthur) and Blanche's nuptials. It included a farewell sequence that television has yet to match in terms of being both heart-breaking and amusing. This episode got around 25 million views.
 

9. All In The Family- Edith's Problem

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All In The Family is an American sitcom Tv show that has been aired on the CBS channel from January 1971 up until April 1979. This Tv show had nine seasons and brought a lot of entertainment. Edith's problem is the shows most watched episodes with 25.2 million viewers.
 

10. Newhart- The Last Newhart

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It's one of the cleverest and most original sitcom finales ever, a meta joke that still cracks us up. Bob Newhart awakens in bed with his wife in the final episode of the television series Newhart, which also took a narrative risk. Nevertheless, it's actually Suzanne Pleshette, the actor who portrayed Emily Newhart, Newhart's wife, in his other successful show. This episode got 29.5 million views.
 

11. Happy Days- The Finale

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On September 24, 1984, the series finale of this wistful look back at life in the 1950s broadcast. It debuted in 1974. It was focused on Joanie, the youngest daughter, getting married to Chachi. In the meantime, Fonz adopts the child he was fostering despite laws prohibiting a single person from doing so. This episode got 30.5 million views.
 

12. Gunsmoke- The Sharecroppers

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Fans weren't going to miss the series finale of TV Western pioneer Gunsmoke on March 31, 1975, after 20 seasons on the air. Sadly, the finale episode was not intended to mark the end of the show because the producers were unable to film a suitable series finale. This episode got 30.9 million views.
 

13. Star Trek- The Next Generation

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It should come as no surprise that the series finale of The Next Generation attracted 31 million viewers given that the Star Trek franchise is still running strong (both "Star Trek: Discovery" and "Star Trek: Picard" can be viewed on CBS All Access along with other Trek material).
 

14. The Winds Of War- The Storm Breaks

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In order to finish his work for Aaron Jastrow, Byron decides to go back to Italy because he is still unsure on what to do with his life. This thrilling and entertaining episode of The Winds Of War got 33.49 million views after its air date on February 7th, 1983.
 

15. Frasier- The Finale

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The eleven-season Cheers spinoff chronicled Dr. Frasier Crane's life as he ran a call-in radio advice programme in Seattle. The 2004 season finale crammed a wedding, a birth, and a cliff-hanger into it (all told through flashbacks). This episode had 33.7 million viewers.
 

16. Home Improvement- The Finale

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The programme that made Tim Allen famous lasted for eight seasons until coming to an end in 1999. It also helped launch Pamela Anderson, who played a Tool Time girl for two seasons. This episode was a very entertaining one and is the reason this episode got 35.5 million views.

17. The Thorn Birds- Episode 3

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The third episode of the Thorn Birds, which featured a priest who was consummating his relationship with a woman, was well-liked despite, or maybe even because of, its contentious plot. An estimated 35.99 million people watched this exciting episode of Thorn Birds.

18. Roots Part VIII

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The television programme Root is without a doubt the only one that has ever captured viewers' attention from the very beginning. Americans adored the show because of how constrained it was. The eight episodes of the 1977 television series were shown. This episode had 36 million views.

19. Family Ties- Alex Doesn't Live Here Anymore

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It was a TV series about boomer ex-hippies who became parents and their more conservative children that ran for seven seasons before being cancelled in 1989. Alex prepared to say farewell to his family and the audience in the finale after deciding to travel to New York. This episode got 36 million views.
 
 

20. The Cosby show- Say Hello To A Good Buy

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In this episode, Cliff purchases a new vehicle but faces a difficult salesman. Rudy, meantime, uses images from Cliff's encyclopaedia's to make an animal collage. This thrilling of Cosby show episode got 36.1 million viewers after being aired on January 22nd 1987.
 

21. All In The Family- Too Good Edith

 
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Fans flocked in to watch a startling moment of sweetness when Archie visited Edith's bedside to tell her how much he loved and relied on her in the final episode of the 1971–1979 television series about a cantankerous patriarch Archie and his obsequious wife Edith. This episode got 40.2 million views.
 

22. Seinfield- The Finale

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When the nine-season run of the programme came to an end, it became a sensation in popular culture. The series finale received over 40.5 million views, and despite the fact that many viewers found it unsatisfying, it certainly kept a lot of people riveted to their TVs.
 

23. Dallas- Who Done It?

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Dallas' finale episode that grabbed everyone's attention. JR was shot in Season 4 Episode 3's cliffhanger-filled conclusion. But the filmmakers chose not to reveal the shooter. When the show returned for episode four, everyone was eager to find out who shot JR since their curiosity nearly gave them a heart attack. This episode got 41.47 million views.
 

24. Cheers- One For The Road

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Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the series finale of the show, which debuted almost ten years after the show first broadcast. Records for viewership show that 42.36 million people watched the show's finale on May 20, 1993. This shows was popular because viewers did not have to watch every episode to understand the show.
 

25. The Ed Sullivan Show -The Beatles first appearance

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The Ed Sullivan Show is a show presented by New York entertainment icon Ed Sullivan, The Ed Sullivan Show was an American television variety programme that aired on CBS from June 20, 1948, through March 28, 1971. This episode got around 47 million views due to the Beatles appearance.
 

26. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

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The final episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson actually outperformed nearly every season finale of a scripted television show that has ever been produced. Carson did not have any guests on the show's final episode. Instead, he seized the opportunity to reflect on the show's 30-year history, capping it off with a goodbye speech delivered while perched on a stool. This episode got 50 million views.
 

27. Magnum PI- Resolutions

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Tom Selleck and his role as the wise-cracking P.I. has become one of his most memorable and revered. The program ran for eight seasons with its finale featuring Magnum deciding to return to active duty in the Navy, with the character turning to the camera and telling audiences goodnight. This episode got 50.7 million views.
 

28. Friends- The Last One

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The television show Friends famously featured six different friends as they managed their personal and professional lives while residing in Manhattan, with amusing mischief inevitably occurring. The beloved series, which ran for ten seasons, received a lot of praise and helped make its outstanding cast household names in Hollywood. This episode got 52.5 million views.
 

29. The Fugitive- The Judgement

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David Janssen as Dr. Richard Kimble, a doctor who is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of his wife and is forced to flee in an effort to find her genuine killer, in the gripping 1960s crime drama series The Fugitive. This programme got 70 million views.
 

30. M*A*S*H- Farewell Goodbye And Amen

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Surprisingly, the M*A*S*H series finale, which aired on February 28, 1983, continues to be the most-watched episode of all time. The final episode was rife with sadness and real-life wartime incidents. The 11-season series finale delivered everything fans could have hoped for. Over 105.1 million people watched the series finale because the show was such a great hit.

31. Roots Part I

This is your brain. This is your brain on 'Roots.'Image source/ andscape
Roots was a super popular TV show back in the 70s, and it still has a huge legacy today. The very first episode of the show aired on January 23
rd
1997, and scored a whopping 28.8 million viewers. Originally a book by Alex Haley, the story follows Kunta Kinte as he is abducted from his African village and taken to the USA.
 

32. The Winds of War- Into the Maelstrom

The Winds of War" The Winds Rise (TV Episode 1983) - IMDbImage Source/ imdb
The finale of this breakout hit scored even more viewers than The Storm Breaks. 34.15 million viewers from around the world watched Pug Henry as he saved the day when friction rose between the Russian hosts and their guests at a super fancy State dinner. This explosive episode aired on February 13, 1983.

33. The Thorn Birds- Episode 2

Thorn Birds stars who fell in love behind-the-scenes still together after 40 years - Mirror OnlineImage source/ mirror
As Meggie tried to forget Father Ralph de Bricassart (the priest she was in love with), she ended up marrying a rather dashing stockman called Luke O’Neill. 35.4 million viewers looked on as this marriage ended with tragic consequences for both Meggie and Father Ralph as the episode aired on March 28, 1983.
 

34. Roots - Part IV

Roots | YouTube TV (Free Trial)Image source/ youtube
As Kunta was thrown into his life in America, viewers were eager to see how things turned out for him. As the fourth episode of Roots aired across the globe on January 26, 1977, 31.19 viewers tuned in as things got tough for both Kunta and Kizzy, who was sold at just sixteen years as she bore her master’s son.
 

35. The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show

The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (1972)Image source/ imdb
All-star entertainer and comedian Bob Hope was known for entertaining troops, and his 1970 Christmas special was no different. Featuring singing, dancing and acting with some help from the most popular celebs of the day, the festive episode of the show pulled in 64% of the television audience, which was one of the largest for an entertainment show.
 

36. The Thorn Birds- Episode 4 Finale

The Thorn Birds (1983) | MUBIImage source/ mubi
As the will they-won’t they romance between Father Ralph and Meggie took a dramatic turn, 35.90 million viewers looked on as the episode aired on March 30, 1983. And it certainly didn’t leave audiences disappointed; Meggie split from Luke and ran off into the sunset with her favorite priest. Amen to that.

37. The Day After (TV-made movie)

The Day After (1983): The Nightmare Comes Home - Scraps from the loftImage source/ scrapsfromtheloft
This isn’t strictly a TV episode, but a made-for-TV movie- and it was a massive hit! It documented the effects of nuclear war on a small town in Kansas, and proved hugely controversial before it even aired in 1983. However, this only added to its popularity, and reeled in an estimated 100 million viewers.
 

38. The Beverly Hillbillies- The Giant Jackrabbit

Granny Vs. THE Giant Jack Rabbit | The Beverly Hillbillies - YouTubeImage source/ youtube
While it wasn’t a series finale, the timing of this episode of Beverly Hillbillies is fairly significant. 65% of American audiences decided to watch Granny as she encountered a kangaroo, which was probably bolstered by the fact that President Lyndon B. Johnson had given his first ever address after Kennedy was assassinated.
 

39. Roots- Part II

Roots (TV Mini Series 1977) - IMDbImage source/ imdb
In the second episode of the landmark show, the slave ship Lord Ligonier managed to complete its voyage, despite a very violent rebellion along the way. Our hero Kunta Kinte then has to endure the Annapolis slave auction, which was watched by 31.4 million viewers as the episode aired on January 24, 1977.
 

40. Bonanza- The Pure Truth

Where to Watch and Stream Bonanza Season 4 Free OnlineImage source/ epicstream
Bonanza was a popular Western TV series, and the March 8, 1964 episode called “The Pure Truth” was a huge hit. While nothing was really out of the ordinary with its storylines (Hoss was trying to avoid taking the fall for a bank robbery he didn’t actually commit) 41.6% of American audiences decided to tune in.
 

41. Gunsmoke- Love Thy Neighbor

The Renegades - Gunsmoke (Season 8, Episode 18) | Apple TV

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Another Western classic- and this one happens to be one of the longest-running. The season 6, 1961 episode is called “Love Thy Neighbor”, and reveals the outcome of rising tensions between the Scooper and Galloway families after a sack of potatoes is stolen. It’s actually a lot more dramatic than it sounds! 40.9% of viewers tuned in for this one.
 

42.  Roots- Part III

Roots (1977) (Miniseries) : r/PlexTitleCardsImage source/ reddit
In the third episode of Roots, viewers watched on as John Reynolds decides to sell the adult Kunta Kinte to his brother. At this point, Kunta tries to escape again, but there are very harsh consequences for him this time around. The episode aired on January 25, 1977, and was watched by 31.9 million viewers.
 
43. The Simpsons- Bart Gets An F
The Simpsons" Bart Gets an F (TV Episode 1990) - IMDbImage source/ imdb
There are a LOT of popular episodes of The Simpsons out there, but Bart Gets An F was the most watched of all time. Desperately trying to improve his grades so he doesn’t have to repeat the fourth grade, Bart tries to avoid the temptations of a snow day as he studies at home. This episode was watched by a whopping 33.6 million viewers.

44. Roots- Part V

Roots" (1977) - Alex Haley's Original Television Miniseries about 100 Years in a Slave Family - TV - DonRockwell.comImage source/ donrockwell
As the story continued in Roots, viewers were left aghast as Kunta’s daughter Kizzy fell in love with a slave called Noah. And just like Kunta, Noah tries to escape, but ends up being caught and tortured. It’s a pretty grizzly episode that aired on January 27, 1977, and was watched by 32.5 million people.

45. The Big Bang Theory- The Stockholm Syndrome

Here's what happened in The Big Bang Theory's bittersweet finale that fans are praising as "perfect"Image Source/ cheapism
While modern TV shows don’t really pull in the same numbers as they did in the 60s, 70s and 80s, The Big Bang Theory has done pretty well to stay popular. The much-anticipated two-hour finale was watched by 18.5 million viewers in 2019 as both Sheldon and Amy received the Nobel Prize for their scientific work.
 

46. Everybody Loves Raymond

Everybody Loves Raymond" The Finale (TV Episode 2005) - IMDbImage source/ imdb
After nine amazing seasons, it was clear that everyone really did love Raymond! Ray Romano and his cute on-screen family, which included Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle, Brad Garrett, and Patricia Heaton said their goodbyes back in 2005, which were watched by a whopping 32.9 million viewers across America.
 

47. Roots- Part VI

Bounce - Roots Part 6Image source/ bouncetv
Things get very interesting in the sixth episode of this hit show. Kizzy’s son George begins to take center stage, and old slave owner Mingo decides to teach him how to be a good cockfighting trainer. Meanwhile, Kizzy learns the fate of her parents. Around 32.68 million people tuned into this episode, which aired on January 28, 1977.
 

48. Game of Thrones- The Iron Throne

Game of Thrones” Season 8 Finale Recap: The Iron Throne | The New YorkerImage source/ newyorker
Whether you loved or loathed the ending to Game of Thrones, the last-ever episode, The Iron Throne, was the most-watched episode of all time. It pulled in 19.3 million viewers, but it received a less-than-warm reception from fans and critics alike. Even the cast weren’t overly happy with the final season…
 

49. Lost- The End

Lost: 5 Things We Loved About The Finale (& 5 We Hated)Image source/ screenrant
Another controversial one. The last episode of the mind-bending drama Lost aired on May 23 2010, but there are a lot of fans out there that still don’t understand the ending. The episode (and the show as a whole) received mixed reviews from critics, and reeled in 13.5 million viewers. While that doesn’t seem like much compared to some on this list, the final episode of Lost is still one of the most-watched TV show finales in history.
 

50. Roots- VII

Bounce - Roots Part 7Image source/ bouncetv
In the penultimate episode of the show, the nation is plunged into war. The spotlight is also turned on Chicken George as he returns from England to find his sons are now married and have families of their own. This episode aired on January 29 1977, and pulled in a whopping 30.1 million viewers. Producers would kill for those figures these days…
 

51. Dallas- Conundrum Part 2

On This Day: 'Dallas' Airs Its Final Episode in 1991Image source/ outsider
While the last-ever episode of Dallas didn’t reel in figures like the infamous Who Shot J.R episode in season four, it still went out with a bang. The Conundrum Part 2 aired on May 3, 1991 after 14 action-packed seasons, and pulled in 33.3 million viewers across America. It had a great run while it lasted.
 

52. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air- I, done

Flashback: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air ended perfectly for a spinoff – SheKnowsImage source/ sheknows
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was an unexpected success, and had a run of six seasons before being canceled in 1996. The finale, which showed a heart-breaking scene of Will standing alone in the house after all those years, was watched by 19.9 million viewers, which was around 22% of American audiences at the time.
 

53. Who's the Boss?- Savor the Veal Part 3

Alyssa Milano shares update on 'Who's the Boss?' reboot on TODAY: 'We're closer'Image source/ today
Who’s the Boss was a hugely popular sitcom in the 1980s, and was about a former baseball player forced to retire due to a shoulder injury. Frank Sinatra even made a cameo in the show in 1989! The highly anticipated finale aired on 25 April 1992, which saw a whopping 20.5 million viewers tune in to say their goodbyes.
 

54. Quantum Leap

Inside Quantum Leap's alternate series finale | SYFY WIREImage source/ syfy
This cult science-fiction series was a huge 1990s hit. It followed protagonist and physicist Sam Beckett ( played by Scott Bakula)  as he finds himself trapped in time. In the 1993 finale, he finally makes it through space-time to his own birth, where he makes a huge revelation. This episode was watched by 20.6 million people.
 

55. Mad About You- Happy Birthday, Bon Voyage, Goodbye for Now

Mad About You TV Show on Spectrum Originals: Season 8 Viewer Votes - canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series FinaleImage source/ tvseriesfinale
This underrated 1990s family sitcom is often forgotten about these days, but it did pretty well back in the day. It ran from 1992 to 1999, and the finale took audiences by surprise as it jumped 22 years into the future. 19.8 million people tuned into the final episode, but it didn’t save the show from being canceled.

56. Knots Landing- Just Like Old Times Part 2

Knots Landing" The Last One Out (TV Episode 1991) - IMDbImage source/ imdb
Knots Landing was actually a spin-off of Dallas. And while it wasn’t as popular as its predecessor, Alec Baldwin, Ted Shackleford and Nicollette Sheridan still pulled in some decent viewing figures. The grand finale aired in 1993 after fourteen popular seasons, and was watched by 19.6 million viewers.

57. Designing Women- Gone With the Whim

Designing Women' TV Sequel Lands at ABC (Exclusive) – The Hollywood ReporterImage source/ hollywood reporter
This Emmy Award-winning series focused on four super-smart women as they ran an interior design firm in Atlanta. The finale was pretty unique, as each of the women end up imagining themselves as Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind. It’s an odd end to the show, but it was watched by 18.8 million viewers in 1993.

58. Matlock- The Scam

Matlock" The Last Laugh (TV Episode 1993) - IMDbImage source/ imdb
Matlock was famous for starring TV legend Andy Griffith as he played the title character, who was a defense attorney. With plenty of twists, turns and courtroom dramas, it was a hugely popular show that ran for nine seasons, with a brief break after six. The finale was watched by 18.7 million people in 1995.

59. Will & Grace- It's Time

Will and Grace' Finale: What Happened in the Last Ever Episode and Why is  the Show Ending?Image Source/ newsweek
This is arguably one of the most beloved American shows of modern times. After receiving critical acclaim and bagging a whopping 16 Emmy Awards over the course of the show, we finally said goodbye to our favorite characters on May 18, 1996. The show had run for eight seasons, and its final episode was watched by 18.6 million viewers.

60. The Facts of Life- The Beginning of the Beginning

The Facts of Life': At Just Over 200 Episodes, the Show's Finale Set an NBC  RecordImage source/ showbizcheatsheet
Facts of Life was one of the longest-running sitcoms of the 1980s. Originally a spin-off of the show Diff’rent Strokes, the grand two-part series finale of the sitcom showed the school becoming co-ed, which paved the way for some new guest stars, including The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik. 18.2 million viewers tuned into the action.
 

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