Top 10 Highest Rated Shows In TV History? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Mr. Monitor · 08-24-2005, 11:52 PM

Does anyone know of the exact list or have any historical findings?

treky · 08-25-2005, 01:33 AM

well, I know the "Who Shot J.R." episode of "Dallas" was either the highest rated episode of the series or the highest rated show that year (1980)

Dean Winchester · 08-25-2005, 03:33 AM

I know the top 2 are the MASH finale and "Who Shot J.R."

USTVFanFromUK · 08-25-2005, 07:49 AM

I think the poster means a show in general, not a single episode.

Mr. Monitor · 08-25-2005, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USTVFanFromUK

I think the poster means a show in general, not a single episode.

That's what I meant. Does anyone know?

jamesanthony · 08-25-2005, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Monitor

Does anyone know of the exact list or have any historical findings?

I don't have a source, but I remember reading somewhere that Beverly Hillbillies had several episodes that were among the highest rated single episodes of any series. They had more than any show, with one episode called Giant Jack Rabbit being the highest rated one. I also remember reading in 1986 that Cosby Show was breaking records. One show about Vanessa wearing Denise's clothes broke a record. I read someplace that Cosby was the highest rated series ever, but it was written as a promotion for the series so it may not be accurate. Just to guess I would say All in the Family, Dallas, maybe 60 Minutes and I Love Lucy would be in the all time top ten, although I'm guessing those stats from the % of tvs that were tuned to those shows, not the actual number of homes that actually watched them.

USTVFanFromUK · 08-25-2005, 01:31 PM

From what I know, All In the Family and The Cosby show are the only shows that stayed #1 for 5 consecutive seasons. I'd reckon they'd be in the top 10.

I always thought there was a list posted here a few months or probably two years back with the highest rated sitcoms of all times?....

Dean Winchester · 08-25-2005, 02:41 PM

Cosby and All In The Family are definately up there, Cheers, Dallas, MASH, Seinfeld, Roseanne, Family Ties, Friends, I Love Lucy, Beverly Hillbillies (one of the regular episodes ranks among the top rated episodes of all time, and it wasn't a finale or cliffhanger type episode, BH was just that big), Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke and Bonanza are likely up there in terms of the biggest cumulative audiences for a TV show. FT only spent 3 seasons in the top 10, compared to the lengthy runs to the others, but in it's peak it held on to 95% of Cosby's audience and when TCS was big, it was GIGANTIC.

Adamantium · 08-25-2005, 04:18 PM

In the TV book I have, it lists the top 100 highest rated shows of all-time. The latest update was 2004. However, I left the book in my locker at work. I'm pretty sure that the number 1 show is "60 Minutes." Once I get the book back, I'll post it.

Adamantium · 08-26-2005, 04:16 PM

They say this list is compiled based on popularity and longevity. I personally don't agree with this. It came out of "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946-Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh"

Here's the top 30.

1. 60 Minutes
2. Gunsmoke
3. The Red Skelton Show
4. Bonanza
5. All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place
6. Walt Disney
7. The Ed Sullivan Show/Toast of the Town
8. The Lucy Show/Here's Lucy
9. ER
10. Murder She Wrote
11. Friends
12. M*A*S*H
13. Cheers
14. Dallas
15. The Cosby Show
16. Frasier
17. The Andy Griffith Show
18. Roseanne
19. Home Improvement
20. The Jack Benny Show
21. Three's Company/Three's a Crowd
22. I Love Lucy
23. The Danny Thomas Show
24. The Beverly Hillbillies
25. You Bet Your Life
26. Happy Days
27. 20/20
28. I've Got a Secret
29. Dragnet/Dragnet 67
30. Arthur Godrey's Talent Scouts

Out of Just the Sitcoms:

1. All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place
2. The Lucy Show/Here's Lucy
3. Friends
4. M*A*S*H
5. Cheers
6. The Cosby Show
7. Frasier
8. The Andy Griffith Show
9. Roseanne
10. Home Improvement
11. Three's Company/Three's a Crowd
12. I Love Lucy
13. The Danny Thomas Show
14. The Beverly Hillbillies
15. Happy Days

Like I say, I don't agree with this list, but I said I'd post it and I did. I'll post the rest (of the 100) later.

Dean Winchester · 08-26-2005, 04:27 PM

I am surprised Seinfeld isn't there.

Even though this serves as a "take that" to the comment that "Roseanne was never as popular as Friends or Seinfeld was"

I'm stunned Lucy Show is higher than I Love Lucy

L&OFan4Eva · 08-26-2005, 04:31 PM

Well, wasn't Lucy Show the most syndicated of the Lucy shows? I think it's because it was put out of circulation for a while for it to be remastered. I think it was in the '80s.

TV DVD Fan · 08-26-2005, 04:45 PM

wrong info.

pat

Dean Winchester · 08-26-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by L&OFan4Eva

Well, wasn't Lucy Show the most syndicated of the Lucy shows? I think it's because it was put out of circulation for a while for it to be remastered. I think it was in the '80s.

I don't recall Lucy Show ever airing as much as I Love Lucy though. Hell, Paramount is proud to own ILL, Lucy Show is public domain on the other hand.

L&OFan4Eva · 08-26-2005, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV DVD Fan

wrong info.

pat

I remember reading that it was put out for remastering, or maybe by putting out they didn't mean taking out of circulation. Maybe it was worded wrongly.

08-25-2005, 01:33 AM	#2
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	well, I know the "Who Shot J.R." episode of "Dallas" was either the highest rated episode of the series or the highest rated show that year (1980)
	__________________ the Clampetts are in a fancy Beverly Hills jewelry store. Granny points to a tray of rubies. Granny: "How much fer one o' them red diamonds?" clerk: "Madam, those are rubies." Granny: "OK ask her kin we buy one offa her." clerk: " The ruby I am talking about is not a lady." Granny: "Lissen, how she got them diamonds is her business. I'm just sayin' ask her kin we buy one from her."

08-25-2005, 07:49 AM	#4
USTVFanFromUK Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 553	I think the poster means a show in general, not a single episode.
	__________________ Maude (To Archie):The fact you happen to be here with her is beyond my control...like any other freak of nature...Now you can either come to the table and eat, or you can lie there and feed off your own fat. And if you choose the latter you can probably lie there for months. ---------------------------------------------- Maude: You can't expect me to have lunch with a man who's favorite part of a chicken is the right wing!!!

08-26-2005, 04:27 PM	#11
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I am surprised Seinfeld isn't there. Even though this serves as a "take that" to the comment that "Roseanne was never as popular as Friends or Seinfeld was" I'm stunned Lucy Show is higher than I Love Lucy
	Last edited by Dean Winchester; 08-26-2005 at 04:44 PM.

08-26-2005, 04:45 PM	#13
TV DVD Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2005 Posts: 2,602	wrong info. pat
	__________________ Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Sarah Connor: Maybe if you spend your life hiding who you are, you might finally end up fooling yourself. - From the episode "Gnothi Seauton."

08-24-2005, 11:52 PM	#1
Mr. Monitor Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 27, 2004 Posts: 402	Top 10 Highest Rated Shows In TV History? Does anyone know of the exact list or have any historical findings?

08-25-2005, 03:33 AM	#3
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	I know the top 2 are the MASH finale and "Who Shot J.R."

08-25-2005, 01:31 PM	#7
USTVFanFromUK Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 553	From what I know, All In the Family and The Cosby show are the only shows that stayed #1 for 5 consecutive seasons. I'd reckon they'd be in the top 10. I always thought there was a list posted here a few months or probably two years back with the highest rated sitcoms of all times?....

08-25-2005, 02:41 PM	#8
Dean Winchester Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 28, 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 14,803	Cosby and All In The Family are definately up there, Cheers, Dallas, MASH, Seinfeld, Roseanne, Family Ties, Friends, I Love Lucy, Beverly Hillbillies (one of the regular episodes ranks among the top rated episodes of all time, and it wasn't a finale or cliffhanger type episode, BH was just that big), Andy Griffith, Gunsmoke and Bonanza are likely up there in terms of the biggest cumulative audiences for a TV show. FT only spent 3 seasons in the top 10, compared to the lengthy runs to the others, but in it's peak it held on to 95% of Cosby's audience and when TCS was big, it was GIGANTIC.

08-25-2005, 04:18 PM	#9
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,826	In the TV book I have, it lists the top 100 highest rated shows of all-time. The latest update was 2004. However, I left the book in my locker at work. I'm pretty sure that the number 1 show is "60 Minutes." Once I get the book back, I'll post it.

08-26-2005, 04:16 PM	#10
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,826	They say this list is compiled based on popularity and longevity. I personally don't agree with this. It came out of "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows: 1946-Present by Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh" Here's the top 30. 1. 60 Minutes 2. Gunsmoke 3. The Red Skelton Show 4. Bonanza 5. All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place 6. Walt Disney 7. The Ed Sullivan Show/Toast of the Town 8. The Lucy Show/Here's Lucy 9. ER 10. Murder She Wrote 11. Friends 12. MASH 13. Cheers 14. Dallas 15. The Cosby Show 16. Frasier 17. The Andy Griffith Show 18. Roseanne 19. Home Improvement 20. The Jack Benny Show 21. Three's Company/Three's a Crowd 22. I Love Lucy 23. The Danny Thomas Show 24. The Beverly Hillbillies 25. You Bet Your Life 26. Happy Days 27. 20/20 28. I've Got a Secret 29. Dragnet/Dragnet 67 30. Arthur Godrey's Talent Scouts Out of Just the Sitcoms: 1. All in the Family/Archie Bunker's Place 2. The Lucy Show/Here's Lucy 3. Friends 4. MASH 5. Cheers 6. The Cosby Show 7. Frasier 8. The Andy Griffith Show 9. Roseanne 10. Home Improvement 11. Three's Company/Three's a Crowd 12. I Love Lucy 13. The Danny Thomas Show 14. The Beverly Hillbillies 15. Happy Days Like I say, I don't agree with this list, but I said I'd post it and I did. I'll post the rest (of the 100) later.

08-26-2005, 04:31 PM	#12
L&OFan4Eva Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 02, 2005 Posts: 477	Well, wasn't Lucy Show the most syndicated of the Lucy shows? I think it's because it was put out of circulation for a while for it to be remastered. I think it was in the '80s.