'Friends' finale the most-watched show of the decade - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-04-2009, 12:33 AM

The series finale of Friends, which aired in May 2004 and attracted 52.5 million viewers, was the most-watched TV series episode of the decade, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Following Friends were the first season finale of Survivor, the season one finale of Joe Millionaire, an ER episode from 2000, and the premiere episode for American Idol’s sixth season. Seven of the top 10 episodes are from the first half of the decade, as an increase in channels has fractured audiences and made “must-watch shows” harder to connect with huge audiences. The full Top 10 list is below:

1. Friends, “The Last One,” May 6, 2004 — 52.5 million
2. Survivor: Borneo, “Season Finale,” Aug. 23, 2000 — 51.7 million
3. Joe Millionaire, “Season Finale,” Feb. 17, 2003 — 40 million
4. ER, “All in the Family,” Feb. 17, 2000 — 39.4 million
5. American Idol, “Minneapolis Auditions,” Jan. 16, 2007 — 38.1 million
6. Grey’s Anatomy, “It’s the End of the World,” Feb. 5, 2006 — 38 million
7. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, May 3, 2000 — 36 million
8. Frasier, “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue,” May 18, 2000 — 33.7 million
9. Everybody Loves Raymond, “The Finale,” May 16, 2005 — 32.9 million
10. Spin City, “Goodbye,” May 24, 2000 — 32.8 million

http://news-briefs.ew.com/page/3/

Marvo301 · 12-04-2009, 12:58 AM

I only watched 1 out of those 10 and that was the Frasier episode.

DSfan · 12-04-2009, 01:28 AM

I remember the day of the Friends finale so well. It's weird.
That was probably one of the best series finales I've seen. It made you feel good inside.

Smartboy · 12-04-2009, 03:29 AM

I find it interesting that the two people who have responded to this new thread so far are both from Canada! This show must have been pretty popular up there. Another show that I know had a Canadian following is "Gimme a Break!". Is anyone reading this a fan of that series? I have tried very hard to stimulate some conversation on that show's page. I have not had much success lately. In any event, I am very happy to see this page get some posts by someone other than me!

Schmoopie · 12-04-2009, 03:38 AM

That's weird. I thought that Seinfeld would have taken this honor, considering how much publicity it got. Even I thought it was overkill and I'm a HUGE Seinfeld fan! I almost cried when the camera panned back showing George, Elaine, Jerry and Kramer in jail! It was so.... final! Loved that PS, with Jerry doing stand up in the prison, though. ROFL!!!

I admit I watched the Friends finale too. It was pretty good, and I liked how they ended it with everyone walking down the hall (or something like that. It's been so long now, I can't remember!).

Smartboy · 12-04-2009, 04:00 AM

I am really amazed by how much action this post is getting in such a short time! I guess that some people are just very good at bringing up a topic that sparks peoples' interest. In any event, because of how much this show attracted the same type of audience as "Mad About You", I think that I will tell my buddies there what has been happening here after I post this response. Bye!

tiff7 · 12-08-2009, 08:01 PM

yay friends!!!! how i miss the show!

browneyes106 · 12-21-2009, 01:23 AM

I read about this the other day. I didn't realize the ratings were that high. But the Friends finale was pretty good.

Smartboy · 03-31-2010, 08:52 PM

Does anyone know what happened to the response that came right after this one? What a mystery!

SueAnn_Rose · 04-03-2010, 10:37 AM

Wow, that's awesome, I know I loved the finale it was one of the best series finales ever.

bretnsid · 07-17-2010, 12:53 AM

The Seinfeld finale was in 1998, so it wouldn't qualify for that decade. I'm pretty sure it was one of the highest rated shows of all time.

dakert · 08-28-2010, 01:21 AM

I have never seen a complete episode of Friends

704Hauser · 05-22-2011, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dakert

I have never seen a complete episode of Friends

Me neither, if you ask me, Friends was the start of the downfall of sitcoms.

Schmoopie · 05-22-2011, 03:21 AM

I have to admit that I watched this, just to say that I did. Never watched the show much at all though.

12-04-2009, 12:33 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	'Friends' finale the most-watched show of the decade The series finale of Friends, which aired in May 2004 and attracted 52.5 million viewers, was the most-watched TV series episode of the decade, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Following Friends were the first season finale of Survivor, the season one finale of Joe Millionaire, an ER episode from 2000, and the premiere episode for American Idol’s sixth season. Seven of the top 10 episodes are from the first half of the decade, as an increase in channels has fractured audiences and made “must-watch shows” harder to connect with huge audiences. The full Top 10 list is below: 1. Friends, “The Last One,” May 6, 2004 — 52.5 million 2. Survivor: Borneo, “Season Finale,” Aug. 23, 2000 — 51.7 million 3. Joe Millionaire, “Season Finale,” Feb. 17, 2003 — 40 million 4. ER, “All in the Family,” Feb. 17, 2000 — 39.4 million 5. American Idol, “Minneapolis Auditions,” Jan. 16, 2007 — 38.1 million 6. Grey’s Anatomy, “It’s the End of the World,” Feb. 5, 2006 — 38 million 7. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, May 3, 2000 — 36 million 8. Frasier, “Something Borrowed, Someone Blue,” May 18, 2000 — 33.7 million 9. Everybody Loves Raymond, “The Finale,” May 16, 2005 — 32.9 million 10. Spin City, “Goodbye,” May 24, 2000 — 32.8 million http://news-briefs.ew.com/page/3/
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12-04-2009, 12:58 AM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I only watched 1 out of those 10 and that was the Frasier episode.
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12-04-2009, 03:38 AM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	That's weird. I thought that Seinfeld would have taken this honor, considering how much publicity it got. Even I thought it was overkill and I'm a HUGE Seinfeld fan! I almost cried when the camera panned back showing George, Elaine, Jerry and Kramer in jail! It was so.... final! Loved that PS, with Jerry doing stand up in the prison, though. ROFL!!! I admit I watched the Friends finale too. It was pretty good, and I liked how they ended it with everyone walking down the hall (or something like that. It's been so long now, I can't remember!).
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12-08-2009, 08:01 PM	#7
tiff7 wdwdisneylandnut4life Senior Member Join Date: Jul 26, 2001 Location: Erie, IL Posts: 2,012	yay friends!!!! how i miss the show!
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04-03-2010, 10:37 AM	#10
SueAnn_Rose Sue Ann Nivens BFF Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2010 Location: WJM news room/The Big Potata Posts: 336	Wow, that's awesome, I know I loved the finale it was one of the best series finales ever.
	__________________ "I have been the owner of this house for 50 years, but you can kick me out" Elka "When I die, I want to be cremated and have my ashes thrown on Robert Redford." Sue Ann "Max you know i'm your girl" ღBetty & Allen Luddenღ ★Betty White★ Elka & Maxღ

12-04-2009, 01:28 AM	#3
DSfan Member Senior Member Join Date: Sep 15, 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 1,204	I remember the day of the Friends finale so well. It's weird. That was probably one of the best series finales I've seen. It made you feel good inside.

12-04-2009, 03:29 AM	#4
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I find it interesting that the two people who have responded to this new thread so far are both from Canada! This show must have been pretty popular up there. Another show that I know had a Canadian following is "Gimme a Break!". Is anyone reading this a fan of that series? I have tried very hard to stimulate some conversation on that show's page. I have not had much success lately. In any event, I am very happy to see this page get some posts by someone other than me!

12-04-2009, 04:00 AM	#6
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	I am really amazed by how much action this post is getting in such a short time! I guess that some people are just very good at bringing up a topic that sparks peoples' interest. In any event, because of how much this show attracted the same type of audience as "Mad About You", I think that I will tell my buddies there what has been happening here after I post this response. Bye!

12-21-2009, 01:23 AM	#8
browneyes106 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,094	I read about this the other day. I didn't realize the ratings were that high. But the Friends finale was pretty good.

03-31-2010, 08:52 PM	#9
Smartboy Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 06, 2007 Location: South Orange, NJ Posts: 4,231	Does anyone know what happened to the response that came right after this one? What a mystery!

07-17-2010, 12:53 AM	#11
bretnsid Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Nov 14, 2005 Posts: 17	The Seinfeld finale was in 1998, so it wouldn't qualify for that decade. I'm pretty sure it was one of the highest rated shows of all time.

08-28-2010, 01:21 AM	#12
dakert Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: Altoona PA Posts: 3,411	I have never seen a complete episode of Friends

05-22-2011, 03:21 AM	#14
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I have to admit that I watched this, just to say that I did. Never watched the show much at all though.