What TV show do you watch every time it airs? Millions of Americans tune in weekly to enjoy their favorite programs, but some shows have risen above the rest, becoming the most popular in television history. From comedic sitcoms to TV dramas, these beloved shows have broken records and attracted tens of millions of viewers for single episodes. This inspired us to put together a list of some of the most popular TV shows and their most-viewed episodes of all time. The final episode of many shows tends to draw the largest audience, but for some, the pilot episode was the most viewed episode of the entire series! Which of these most-watched TV show episodes did you watch when it aired, along with millions of other viewers?
1. M*A*S*H: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen” – 105.9 million viewers
M*A*S*H final scene; Image credit: 20th Century-Fox Television
The final episode of M*A*S*H holds the record for the most-watched finale in history, with an unbelievable 105.9 million viewers tuning in. The finale drew in 77% of those watching television at the time! The episode held the record for the most-watched telecast from its air date in 1983 until the 2010 Super Bowl XLIV, which had 106 million viewers.
2. Cheers: “One for the Road” – 80 million viewers
Cheers was a popular sitcom from the ‘80s and ‘90s whose finale drew in the second-largest number of viewers for a series finale. An unbelievable 80 million people in the U.S. tuned in to watch the last episode, and we can only imagine many of them cracked open a cold one as a salute to our favorite fictional bartender. It was a sad moment for fans when Sam turned off the lights at Cheers for the final time.
3. Seinfeld: “The Finale” – 76.26 million viewers
The final episode of Seinfeld is one of the most-watched and highest-rated episodes of all time. Appropriately named, “The Finale,” the conclusion of one of the most popular sitcoms of all time drew a whopping 76.26 million viewers. That’s nearly a quarter of the entire United States population tuning in to see the final hijinks of Jerry, George, Elaine, and Kramer!
Series finale of Seinfeld; Image credit: National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
4. Friends: “The Last One” – 52.2 million viewers
It’s no surprise that the final episode of Friends was the most-watched episode of the entire series, with 52.2 million viewers tuning in to see how the writers would conclude the lives of the six friends we had grown to love. This impressive number puts the episode at the fifth most-watched TV finale of all time!
5. Grey’s Anatomy: “It’s the End of the World” – 38.1 million viewers
The most-watched episode of the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy was the 16th episode of the second season, watched by an impressive 38.1 million viewers. An interesting thing to note about this specific episode, which may have played into such massive viewership numbers, is that it aired directly following the Super Bowl. With so many viewers already settled into their couches with snacks and drinks, the watch party kept going!
Season 2, episode 16 of Grey’s Anatomy; Image credit: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
6. Full House: “Happy Birthday, Babies” – 35.7 million viewers
Full House is another iconic TV show from the 1990s, with millions of adoring fans tuning in each week to see what Danny Tanner and his extended family would cook up next. The most-watched episode of Full House was when two new characters joined the cast, the day Aunt Becky gave birth to her and Uncle Jesse’s twin boys, Nicky and Alex. An impressive 35.7 million viewers tuned in to watch this joyous episode.
7. The Simpsons: “Bart Gets An F” – 33.6 million viewers
The Simpsons has been a favorite animated TV show for many Americans since the late 1980s. It is currently in its 36th season, yet an episode from season two remains the most-watched episode of the entire series. “Bart Gets an F” is the first episode of the second season, and its 33.6 million viewers still hold the record for the most viewers of any Simpsons episode.
Season 2, episode 1 of The Simpsons; Image credit: Fox Broadcasting Company, LLC
8. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: “Just Say Yo” – 30.6 million viewers
Another ‘90s classic, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, hit its peak viewing numbers just a few seasons into the popular series. Episode 19 of the third season, “Just Say Yo,” became the most-watched episode, drawing 30.6 million viewers. Audiences in the U.S. couldn’t get enough of Will and Carlton’s antics. The show continued for three more seasons and even saw a reboot released in 2022.
9. Lost: “Man of Science, Man of Faith” – 23.47 million viewers
Lost was one of the biggest shows of the early 2000s, with millions of Americans watching week after week, eager to see more. The first season of Lost ended with a huge cliffhanger, and viewership exploded during the second season’s first episode, which saw 23.47 million viewers tuning in to see what was inside that mysterious hatch!
Season 2, episode 1 of Lost; Image credit: American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
10. Game of Thrones: “The Iron Throne” – 13.61 million viewers
Game of Thrones holds the record for the most viewers of any HBO show, but which episode had the highest number of viewers when it aired? The finale of the series boasted the most with 13.61 million viewers. After eight seasons of ferocious battles between characters and houses, many viewers were drawn to the finale to see who lives and who dies in the end. However, the finale of this epic show received mixed reviews, with many feeling that the ending was rushed.
11. The Sopranos: “For All Debts Public and Private” – 13.43 million viewers
The Sopranos drama captivated audiences in the U.S. When the series finale aired, it felt like a holiday, complete with fanfare. Surprisingly, the finale was not the most-watched episode of the show. When The Sopranos returned for its fourth season, 13.43 million viewers tuned in to see what would happen next in the life of America’s favorite mafioso, making it the most-viewed episode of the series.
Season 4, episode 1 of The Sopranos; Image credit: Home Box Office (HBO)
12. The Office: “Pilot” – 11.23 million viewers
The Office includes some of the most memorable moments in sitcom television, like “The Dundies” and Michael and Jan’s “Dinner Party” episode. Interestingly, these episodes weren’t the most-watched in the series. That honor is bestowed upon the pilot when 11.23 million people tuned in. We were surprised that the beloved show’s most-viewed episode had such low numbers. However, the sitcom’s popularity may be attributed to being one of the first shows available for purchase and download online.
What television shows are you looking forward to watching next? With an endless supply of shows coming from every avenue — regular cable networks, streaming services, YouTube, and everything in between — there seems to be a TV show that appeals to just about everyone. You already know that those of us at PixlParade will be tuning in to the new shows that Marvel and DC Studios will release in 2025. Will you be joining us?
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