Looking back...Primetime Ratings from the 80's

[soapfan770]

Nielsen Ratings for this same week 39 years ago May 5-11 1986. North & South Book II mini-series pre-empted a number of ABC shows. What the heck was NBC’s Fast Copy about?
 

 

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Edited Saturday at 06:19 PM by soapfan770

[kalbir]

Here's what happened on the sophomore slaughterer, rookie breakout, new hotness, and three soaps that week.

The Cosby Show - Off to the Races (May 8): Cliff is determined to settle a score with a former track rival.

The Golden Girls - The Way We Met (season 1 finale, May 10): Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche reminisce about how they all came to live together.

Miami Vice - Sons and Lovers (season 2 finale, May 9): Angelyne warns former lover Tubbs of a bounty put on his head by the son of dead drug-kingpin Calderone.

Dallas - Hello...Goodbye...Hello (May 9): An enemy stalks J.R.. Aunt Lil testifies for Ray at the adoption hearing. Sue Ellen tells John Ross that she and J.R. are reconciling.

Falcon Crest - Consumed (May 9): Jeff imprisons Maggie. Angela pursues elopers Dwayne and Emma. Chase traps Terry into revealing Richard's link with Miss Jones.

Knots Landing - Thicker than Water (May 8): Karen and Abby feud over Lotus Point. Greg and Abby urge Peter to enter politics. Ben packs for Cathy's tour. Mack meets his daughter.

[Soapsuds]

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[kalbir]

1985/86 wrapped up during the weeks of May 12-18, 1986 and May 19-25, 1986.

Here's how the sophomore slaughterer, sophomore surprise, and the four soaps wrapped up the season.

The Cosby Show - Denise's Decision (season 2 finale, May 15, rating 31.8, #1): Denise's decision about what college she will attend becomes complicated when Cliff and his father give their advice.

Dallas - Blast from the Past (season 9 finale, May 16, rating 24.9, 3rd): The joy surrounding Pam and Mark's wedding day fades as J.R.'s attempt to outwit Angelica puts Jack and Sue Ellen in danger. Pam awakens to a surprise in her shower.

Murder, She Wrote - If the Frame Fits (season 2 finale, May 18, rating 21.7, 6th): Jessica is spending her holidays with an old friend, Lloyd Marcus. His daughter is found murdered in her house and her husband Donald becomes the prime suspect.

Dynasty - The Triple-Cross (May 14, rating 20.5, 9th): Ben gains control of the contracts in the South China Sea after tarnishing Blake's reputation. Steven is stopped in his attempt to reveal Adam's secret. Sammy Jo and Clay have a romantic evening.

Knots Landing - The Longest Night (season 7 finale, May 15, rating 20.0, 10th): Karen vanishes after closing Lotus Point. Val sees Cathy and Ben together. Tipsy Peter visits Abby. Gary finds Val on the beach.

Falcon Crest - Captive Hearts (May 16, rating 18.8, 12th): Chase is shot during Maggie's escape. Angela sends Lance to break up Melissa and Eric. Jordan is arrested. Emma advises Li-Ying.

Dynasty - The Vendetta (season 6 finale, May 21): Alexis plans the ultimate revenge on Blake. Claudia is trapped behind the flames when she sets her room on fire. Sammy Jo and Amanda fight for Clay's attention. Blake learns about Ben's acquisition.

Falcon Crest - The Cataclysm (season 5 finale, May 22): Chase fights for life. Jeff takes Greg and Jordan hostage. A huge earthquake strikes.

Edited 18 hours ago by kalbir

[Khan]

In a way, Denise's inability to decide on which college to attend (before deciding to attend her family's alma mater and the college everyone knew she'd be attending anyway) was a clear signal that the poor girl was a flake and not "college material."  Denise Huxtable was someone who peaked in high school, lol.

With guest stars Deborah Adair (ex-Jill, Y&R; ex-Tracy, DYNASTY; ex-Lucy, MP; ex-Kate, DAYS), Christopher Allport (ex-Tim McGowan, AW) and John de Lancie (ex-Eugene, DAYS)!

"Frame" is one of those MSW's that you THINK is gonna be paint-by-numbers (no pun intended), and then it surprises you with one of those twist endings that often made episodes so enjoyable.

I seriously wish they had gone for a Steven/Bart/Sammy Jo triangle instead, with Steven and Sammy Jo fighting over Bart, lol.

And I still think Claudia burning to death at La Mirage was DYNASTY's dumbest cliffhanger.

The perfect time to kill off Chase, IMO.  Alas.

[I Am A Swede]

Chase definitely lasted longer than he should have. He never really fit in after the first season and especially after Richard turned up. It didn't exactly help that the character was utterly devoid of charm and/or charisma. He was so self-righteous and boring.