Who shot J.R.? Celebrates 30th Anniversary (Is This TV's Ultimate Cliffhanger?) - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 03-17-2010, 08:54 PM

Who shot J.R.? was an advertising catch phrase that American network CBS created in 1980 to promote the television show Dallas.

In the final scene of the 1979-1980 season, the character J. R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, was shot by an unknown individual. The episode, titled A House Divided, was broadcast on March 21, 1980. Viewers had to wait all summer, and most of the autumn because of a Hollywood actors' strike (and Hagman's own holdout), to learn whether J.R. would survive, and which of his many enemies was responsible.

T-shirts printed with such references as "Who Shot J.R.?" and "I Shot J.R." became common over the summer. Betting parlors worldwide took bets as to which one of the 10 or so principal characters had actually pulled the trigger. A session of the Turkish parliament was suspended to allow legislators a chance to get home in time to view the Dallas episode.[1]

Ultimately, the person who pulled the trigger was revealed to be Kristin Shepard (played by Mary Crosby) in the "Who Done It?" episode which aired on November 21, 1980. Kristin was J.R.'s scheming sister-in-law and mistress, who shot him in a fit of anger. J.R. didn't press charges as Kristin claimed she was pregnant with his child as a result of their affair.

It was, at the time, the highest rated television episode in US history. It had a Nielsen rating of 53.3 and a 76% share, and it was estimated that 83,000,000 people watched the episode.[2]. The previous record for a TV episode, not counting the final installment of the miniseries Roots, had been the 1967 finale for The Fugitive. "Who Shot J.R.?" now sits second on the list, beaten in 1983 by the final episode of M*A*S*H but still remains the highest rated non-finale episode of a TV series by a wide margin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y223eoeIaBc

catlover79 · 03-17-2010, 09:51 PM

I would say it probably is TV's best known cliffhanger. Dallas and Knots Landing had some great cliffhangers back in the days.

Mr. Television · 03-17-2010, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I would say it probably is TV's best known cliffhanger. Dallas and Knots Landing had some great cliffhangers back in the days.

My favorite KL cliffhanger was when Jill forced Val to overdose. That was great drama.

catlover79 · 03-17-2010, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

My favorite KL cliffhanger was when Jill forced Val to overdose. That was great drama.

How about when she found her missing twins? Was that before or after the overdose?

Mr. Television · 03-19-2010, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

How about when she found her missing twins? Was that before or after the overdose?

That was a few seasons before. That was a great cliffhanger too. That storyline seemed to last forever.

catlover79 · 03-19-2010, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

That was a few seasons before. That was a great cliffhanger too. That storyline seemed to last forever.

Thanks, Sonny. My Girl Scout leader looooooooooooooooooooved KL. That's the main reason our meetings were never on Thursday nights.

MickeyMac · 03-20-2010, 03:24 PM

Forget Knots Landing, they never could hold a candle to Dallas in my opinion. Yes "Who Shot J.R" is the best cliffhanger ever.

When they returned in October it came on at a special time on Sunday night at 10PM, instead of the usual Friday 9PM. It was a school night and I remember begging my mother to let me stay up and watch, but she said no. I did get to see the beginning and off to bed while my mom and stepdad got to watch the show.

angiefan · 03-27-2010, 07:45 PM

I remember that. I can't believe it was that long ago.

I've got the Dallas theme song in my head.

Mr. Television · 03-27-2010, 07:51 PM

I remember the night that JR's assailant was revealed. It was the top story on our 11:00 news. That shows you how big it was.

There was an actor's strike that summer too so the wait for the season premiere was even longer than usual.

MickeyMac · 03-28-2010, 02:20 PM

^

From season 4 I am watching it now!

03-17-2010, 08:54 PM	#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	Who shot J.R.? Celebrates 30th Anniversary (Is This TV's Ultimate Cliffhanger?) Who shot J.R.? was an advertising catch phrase that American network CBS created in 1980 to promote the television show Dallas. In the final scene of the 1979-1980 season, the character J. R. Ewing, played by Larry Hagman, was shot by an unknown individual. The episode, titled A House Divided, was broadcast on March 21, 1980. Viewers had to wait all summer, and most of the autumn because of a Hollywood actors' strike (and Hagman's own holdout), to learn whether J.R. would survive, and which of his many enemies was responsible. T-shirts printed with such references as "Who Shot J.R.?" and "I Shot J.R." became common over the summer. Betting parlors worldwide took bets as to which one of the 10 or so principal characters had actually pulled the trigger. A session of the Turkish parliament was suspended to allow legislators a chance to get home in time to view the Dallas episode.[1] Ultimately, the person who pulled the trigger was revealed to be Kristin Shepard (played by Mary Crosby) in the "Who Done It?" episode which aired on November 21, 1980. Kristin was J.R.'s scheming sister-in-law and mistress, who shot him in a fit of anger. J.R. didn't press charges as Kristin claimed she was pregnant with his child as a result of their affair. It was, at the time, the highest rated television episode in US history. It had a Nielsen rating of 53.3 and a 76% share, and it was estimated that 83,000,000 people watched the episode.[2]. The previous record for a TV episode, not counting the final installment of the miniseries Roots, had been the 1967 finale for The Fugitive. "Who Shot J.R.?" now sits second on the list, beaten in 1983 by the final episode of MAS*H but still remains the highest rated non-finale episode of a TV series by a wide margin. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y223eoeIaBc Attached Images
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

03-17-2010, 09:51 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I would say it probably is TV's best known cliffhanger. Dallas and Knots Landing had some great cliffhangers back in the days.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-27-2010, 07:45 PM	#8
angiefan happy labor day! Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 15, 2006 Location: grand blanc,michigan Posts: 618	Who shot J.R.? Celebrates 30th Anniversary I remember that. I can't believe it was that long ago. I've got the Dallas theme song in my head.

03-20-2010, 03:24 PM	#7
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Forget Knots Landing, they never could hold a candle to Dallas in my opinion. Yes "Who Shot J.R" is the best cliffhanger ever. When they returned in October it came on at a special time on Sunday night at 10PM, instead of the usual Friday 9PM. It was a school night and I remember begging my mother to let me stay up and watch, but she said no. I did get to see the beginning and off to bed while my mom and stepdad got to watch the show.

03-27-2010, 07:51 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	I remember the night that JR's assailant was revealed. It was the top story on our 11:00 news. That shows you how big it was. There was an actor's strike that summer too so the wait for the season premiere was even longer than usual.

03-28-2010, 02:20 PM	#10
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	^ From season 4 I am watching it now!