Most watched series episode ever?

[GalvestonDuck]

As far as I can tell, the M*A*S*H finale "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" still ranks as the #1 all-time most watched episode of any network series.

Will the Friends finale "The Last One" swipe that title away from M*A*S*H?

[Miss Mary]

M*A*S*H had huge ratings for their finale. I think Friends could come close or top those ratings, so I chose Friends.

BTW, tried having a pizza delivered but it was a 90 minute wait. So we picked it up. I've heard of many Friends parties all over town tonight. Even though it's a Thursday, it sure feels like a Friday! So for that reason, I think the numbers could surpass M*A*S*H's numbers.

Mary

[GalvestonDuck]

My best friend's fiance is cooking a big dinner, which he usually does for us on Thursdays.

Gosh, what's he going to do during the hiatus?

And now I wonder just what other shows they're going to have on Must-See-TV since all that's really left is Will & Grace and ER. Scrubs might come back to Thursdays. But now Frasier will be gone on Tuesdays. I hate to say this, but with all the show switching that NBC did with their Must-See-TV lineup and with CSI constantly beating ER in the ratings, I think NBC's reign is about to fall.

[Guest]

I figured that M*A*S*H would be up there but i am suprised not to see Dallas (Who shot JR) Not up there?

I think they should base stuff like this on percentages. Its very obvious we have alot more people in the world today then back then. But thats my opinion.

[Miss Mary]

I wondered about the Who Shot JR episode too. But I think Shawn is comparing two series' finales.

I think NBC's reign is about up too. It's been a very long run though - Cosby, Cheers, Seinfeld, Friends, Frasier (he was on Thursdays for a while), ER (when it was really good).

It's enough to make me pick up a book - gasp!!!!

No, I have other shows but they're really not up there with Friends. Or how ER used to be for me. Hate to say it but when Friends is over, there just may not be one show I ~have~ to see each week. Never thought I'd say that!!!

Mary

PS - hey remember these shows that filled the 8:30 slot after Friends?

___________________

Cincinnati Enquirer
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/0 ... 6side.html

Musty TV: Remember these 8:30 shows?

Friends was a bona-fide hit, so no wonder TV executives tried to piggy-back on its success by inserting other shows into the coveted 8:30 p.m. Thursday spot right behind it. Some of those shows also became hits, while others tanked.

Remember these?

• Madman of the People (1994-95) Starred Dabney Coleman.

• The Single Guy (1995-97) Starred Jonathan Silverman.

• Caroline in the City (1995-99) Lea Thompson starred.

• Boston Common (1996-97)

• Suddenly Susan (1996-2000) Starred Brooke Shields.

• Union Square (1997-98)

• Fired Up (1997-98) Starred Sharon Lawrence and Leah Remini.

• Veronica's Closet (1997-2000) Kirstie Alley starred.

• Just Shoot Me (1997-2003) David Spade starred.

• Jesse (1998-2000) Starred Christina Applegate.

• Stark Raving Mad (1999-2000) Starred Neil Patrick Harris.

• Cursed (2000-01) This show starring Steve Weber and Chris Elliot was renamed The Weber Show.

• Inside Schwartz (2001-02)

• Good Morning Miami (2002-04) Word is that NBC is going to say goodbye to this show soon.

• Coupling (2003)

Lauren Bishop

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[wx247]

I love(d) Just Shoot Me!!! I think that Friends will surpass M*A*S*H tonight as well.

[Rainband]

I don't watch sitcoms much mostly educational, discovery channel and dramas. I did watch friends a few times, I hear it is going to be sorely missed

[southerngale]

I liked Jesse and Veronica's Closet. I wish they had made it a little longer.

Oh, and I will definitely watch the Friends finale but I don't think it will surpass M*A*S*H.

[Bunch]

I haven't seen any final numbers yet, but the final Friends will not pass the final M*A*S*H.

M*A*S*H -- "Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen" drew 106 million viewers.

Friends -- "The Last One" was predicted to reach around 50 million.

M*A*S*H drew it's large numbers back during a time when there were fewer channels on television to divert attention.

Friends lower number prediction was cited as being "due to many more cable channels" and "the Internet itself" which draws many people away from TV.

[southerngale]

Yeah Bunch. That's why I said no as well. Too much competetion these days.