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


Paul Raven

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1986/87 wrapped up during the weeks of May 4-10, 1987; May 11-17, 1987; and May 18-24, 1987.

Here's what happened on the season's Top 10 scripted shows and the four primetime soaps those weeks.

Cheers - I Do and Adieu (season 5 finale, May 7, rating 28.4, #1): Sam and Diane's wedding is coming up. Diane, who has always wanted to be a writer, is offered to have one of her novels published. The question is whether Diane can combine her work with marriage.

Family Ties - The Visit (season 5 finale, May 7, rating 27.8, 2nd): Elyse's sister Michelle, her obnoxious husband, and their bratty children come for a visit, and despite Steven's attempts to tolerate their presence, it eventually becomes too much.

The Cosby Show - Hillman (season 3 finale, May 7, rating 26.4, 3rd): The Huxtables visit Hillman College to celebrate the retirement of the school's president.

Moonlighting - To Heiress Human (season 3 finale, May 5, rating 21.0, 4th): Maddie tries to ignore the fact that she and David slept together the night before as they tackle a new case - a woman wants proof that her fiancé loves her and not her father's money.

Murder, She Wrote - Murder, She Spoke (season 3 finale, May 10, rating 20.4, 5th): A murder occurs while Jessica is recording one of her novels for the Mystery Books for the Blind series.

The Golden Girls - A Piece of Cake (May 9, rating 19.2, 8th): Through a series of flashbacks, the housemates reminisce about their past birthday celebrations.

Growing Pains - The Long Goodbye (May 5, rating 18.8, 9th): Maggie believes that the Seavers' handyman is getting too old and tries to convince Jason to let him go. Then they find out that somebody else was behind the mistakes.

Dallas - Two-Fifty (May 8, rating 18.3, 11th): J.R. must defend himself and Ewing Oil against Justice Department charges. Wendell obtains Mrs. Scottfield's cooperation. Pam warns Cliff.

Dynasty - Shadow Play (season 7 finale, May 6, rating 17.6, 14th): An emotional Alexis accidentally drives her car off a bridge. Following Adam and Dana's wedding, the entire Carrington family is held hostage at the mansion by a face from the past: Matthew Blaisdel.

Falcon Crest - Chain Reaction (May 8, rating 16.5, 17th): Kit defends Tony, to no avail. Chase and Maggie decide on a quick divorce.

Knots Landing - Do Not Fold, Spindle, or Mutilate (May 7, rating 16.3, 20th): Paige tries to find out if Greg is her father. Peter suffers the wrath of several women.

Night Court - Her Honor (Part 2) (season 4 finale, May 6, rating 15.2, 27th): While the newly appointed Christine begins her duties, Harry plans a colossal stunt, not realizing that Christine is working to get him reappointed.

Who's the Boss? was a repeat on May 5.

Dallas - Fall of the House of Ewing (season 10 finale, May 15): Bobby and Pam's dreams of a serene and happy future are shattered. The impending loss of Ewing Oil has a desperate J.R. fighting for his life.

Knots Landing - Cement the Relationship (season 8 finale, May 14): Abby covers up for Olivia and disposes of Peter's body. Val is convinced Ben won't return.

Falcon Crest - Desperation (season 6 finale, May 15): Melissa takes dangerous measures to keep the baby. Angela learns one of her children, who supposedly died during birth, is alive.

Who's the Boss? - Mona (May 12): Mona goes to visit her brother who bought an old hotel using her money, and discovers that the place is a money pit.

The Golden Girls - Empty Nests (season 2 finale, May 16): The women try to help a neighborhood couple patch up their faltering marriage.

Growing Pains was a repeat on May 12.

Growing Pains - Confidentially Yours (season 2 finale, May 19, rating 20.4, 4th): Maggie gets a job offer – from a womanizer who only wants to sleep with her.

Who's the Boss? - A Moving Episode (season 3 finale, May 19, rating 19.2, 6th): When Mona moves to New York, Tony takes over her apartment. While trying to convince his friends from the old neighborhood and himself that he's still the wild man he once was, Tony discovers that he's happier in his domestic role with Angela and the kids.

The final ratings for 1986/87 were 1. The Cosby Show, 2. Family Ties, 3. Cheers; 4. Murder, She Wrote; 5. The Golden Girls, 7. Night Court, 8. Growing Pains, 9. Moonlighting, 10. Who's the Boss?, 11. Dallas, 23. Falcon Crest, 24. Dynasty, 26. Knots Landing.

Edited by kalbir
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I forget that throughout the 80’s the TV seasons were officially over in April. Not sure why that was the case but it wasn’t until the mid-90’s that May Sweeps became a real official thing. 

Because my teenage self stayed home often on Saturday nights in the early 90’s I watched Empty Nest just about every night to the bitter end, I do actually always felt a bit sad whenever I see that GG ep knowing that Rita’s character will die with that last line “Good night!”

For years I admit I had the Mandela effect that Mulligan was in the episode before I finally caught it again on Lifetime. 
 

And yes lol I don’t care for David Leisure’s character in the episode but somehow was funnier than anything on Empty Nest. Same when Charley crossed over for Dorothy’s Jeopardy dream. 

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It's been brought up that Empty Nest was a time slot hit. Here's Empty Nest schedule and seasonal rating in comparison to The Golden Girls.

1988/89: The Golden Girls Saturday 9 pm, 6th. Empty Nest Saturday 9:30 pm, 9th.

1989/90: The Golden Girls Saturday 9 pm, 6th. Empty Nest Saturday 9:30 pm, 9th.

1990/91: The Golden Girls Saturday 9 pm, 10th. Empty Nest Saturday 9:30 pm, 7th.

1991/92: The Golden Girls Saturday 8 pm, 30th (final season). Empty Nest Saturday 9 pm, 22nd. 

1992/93: Saturday 9 pm, below the Top 30.

1993/94: Saturday 9 pm, below the Top 30.

1994/95: Saturday 8:30 pm then 8 pm, below the Top 30, and cancelled.

Empty Nest 7 season run equaled the parent show The Golden Girls.

Edited by kalbir
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