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

[Soapsuds]

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[kalbir]

@Soapsuds Those are the averages for the two weeks ending February 17, 1985 and February 24, 1985.

Here's what happened on the soaps and two rookie hits those weeks.

The Cosby Show - Vanessa's New Class (episode 18, February 14, rating 26.6, #1): Vanessa receives her first disappointing grade in school after her classmates made better science projects.

Dallas - The Brothers Ewing (February 15, rating 25.0, 2nd): Miss Ellie sides with Clayton against her children. Ray and J.R. unite to fight Cliff. Sue Ellen agrees to accompany Pam to Hong Kong.

Dynasty - Circumstantial Evidence (February 13, rating 23.4, 5th): Amanda spends the night with Prince Michael and then is heartbroken to learn he is engaged. Blake, Alexis, Dex, and Amanda travel to Acapulco for a conference. Krystle is disturbed when she calls Blake's hotel room and Alexis answers.

Knots Landing - Rough Edges (February 14, rating 20.7, 11th): Joshua apologizes to Cathy and says he's making a lot of mistakes as he's never had a girlfriend before but he's unhappy without her. Galveston's men contact Greg and want to transfer power to him, but he refuses.

Murder, She Wrote - Paint Me a Murder (episode 15, February 17, rating 20.5, 13th): A legendary artist's birthday celebration on a Mediterranean island paradise takes a turn when a murder occurs.

Falcon Crest - Forsaking All Others (February 15, rating 19.4, 17th): Melissa and Cole want to wed. Lance learns Julia is alive. Lorraine considers the problems of pregnancy. Lance's trial date is set. 

Dallas - Shattered Dreams (February 22, rating 25.8, #1): A witness in Jenna's case is found dead. Cliff offers Jamie a job. Lucy learns Eddie has been romancing Betty. J.R. confides in Mandy. This episode is notable in that Dallas would not get another #1 episode until the season finale, and Dallas would not finish ahead of a new episode of The Cosby Show until the series finale.

The Cosby Show - Clair's Case (episode 19, February 21, rating 25.1, 3rd): Cliff takes over the house chores while Clair investigates a shady mechanic. Of note is that the remaining five episodes of The Cosby Show season 1 would all finish at #1.

Dynasty - The Collapse (February 20, rating 24.6, 4th): Tensions between Krystle and Blake mount as their suspicions of one another grow. Claudia regrets sleeping with Adam. Alexis hires a private detective to investigate the circumstances surrounding Jeff's marriage to Nicole.

Murder, She Wrote - Tough Guys Don't Die (episode 16, February 24, rating 21.7, 11th): While doing research for her next book, Jessica hires a private detective to investigate a 25-year-old unsolved murder case. When the detective is killed, his partner Harry McGraw steps in to take his place. With Jessica's help, he tries to figure out which of the three cases his colleague was working on could contain the motive for his death.

Falcon Crest - Recriminations (February 22, rating 20.2, 15th): Angela prevents Cole and Melissa's union. Lance prevents Lorraine's abortion. Richard hires Cassandra. Julia departs for a convent.

Knots Landing - The Emperor's Clothes (February 21, rating 18.8, 21st): Ben's Empire Valley probe angers Gary. Joshua asserts his power. Galveston's aide threatens Laura. Karen begins to believe Valene.

Edited November 19, 2023 by kalbir

[Khan]

I remember that episode.  IIRC, too, although Vanessa made a lot of dumb excuses for turning in an inferior project - her friend, Janet, had someone to help her; Rudy was always bothering her, etc. - she also made what I thought was a very good point: Cliff had given her a pitiful amount of money to complete the project.

Cliff (to Vanessa): "Is the class too advanced for you?"
Me: "No, you too damn cheap!"

Edited November 19, 2023 by Khan

[kalbir]

Look what the breakout hit of 1988/89 was, Roseanne. That show was the anti-Reagan era ideal family sitcom and it was the first show that threatened The Cosby Show dominance.

In the season that Reagan left office, it's quite telling that two shows that ended were Dynasty and Family Ties. Dynasty was the epitome of Reagan-era excess and greed. Of all the big family sitcoms of the 1980s, Family Ties embodied Reagan-era ideals the most IMO.

1988/89 season was a sign that times were changing.

[Soapsuds]

Dallas 1985 Cliffhanger

27.5 average  ...hits #1

But here are the half hour numbers. Very impressive especially peaking at the end.

8:30 - 9:00 -  23.1/40

9:00 - 9:30 -  28.6/48

9:30 - 10:00 - 30.8/50

 

Dynasty 1985 Cliffhanger- Royal Wedding

25.9 average  ...hits #2

But here are the half hour numbers. 

9:00 - 9:30 -  24.7/38

9:30 - 10:00 - 27.0/40

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kalbir]

This was the last episode of Dallas that would finish #1.

The week of May 13-19, 1985 another big season finale was The A-Team. The other big action shows Simon & Simon and Magnum, P.I. had their season finales earlier in the spring. Rookie hit Murder, She Wrote had their season finale in April. Breakout hit The Cosby Show had their season finale one week earlier. Knots Landing and Falcon Crest had their season finales the following week.

1984/85 was the best television season of the 1980s.

[Soapsuds]

Dallas 1986 Cliffhanger- Bobby in the shower

24.9/42

Ranked #3 for the week

Rating by half hour for cliffhanger

8:00 - 8:30 -  23.6/41

8:30 - 9:00 -  26.2/44

 

[kalbir]

This episode was Dallas highest-rated episode of 1985/86.

The week of May 12-18, 1986 other big season finales were The Cosby Show (that week's #1), Cheers; Murder, She Wrote; Knots Landing. Family Ties, Night Court, breakout hit The Golden Girls, new hotness Miami Vice had their season finales one week earlier. Dynasty and Falcon Crest had their season finales the following week.

I consider 1985/86 to be the turning point season of the 1980s. Sitcoms made a comeback, primetime soaps tanked, the once-big action shows got clobbered.

[kalbir]

A look back at 1984/85, the best and most pivotal television season of the 1980s, as we approach its 40th anniversary.

#1 CBS (1983/84 #1)

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Top 10: 2. Dallas (1983/84 #1), 4. 60 Minutes (1983/84 2nd), 7. Simon & Simon (1983/84 5th); 8. Murder, She Wrote (first season); 9. Knots Landing (1983/84 11th), 10. Falcon Crest (1983/84 7th), 10. Crazy Like a Fox (first season)

Top 30: 15. Magnum, P.I. (1983/84 6th); 16. Newhart (1983/84 23rd), 17. Kate & Allie (1983/84 8th), 22. Scarecrow & Mrs. King (1983/84 20th), 28. Cagney & Lacey (1983/84 10th); 29. Trapper John, M.D. (1983/84 30th)

Top 30 fallout: CBS Tuesday movie (1983/84 25th)

Below the Top 30: Airwolf

Final season: AfterMASH (1983/84 15th), The Jeffersons (1983/84 19th), Alice (1983/84 25th), The Dukes of Hazzard, Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer

New fall show returning in 1985/86: Murder, She Wrote

New midseason show returning in 1985/86: Crazy Like a Fox

2nd NBC (1983/84 3rd)

Top 10: 3. The Cosby Show (first season), 5. Family Ties (1983/84 below the Top 30), 6. The A-Team (1983/84 4th)

Top 30: 12. Cheers (1983/84 below the Top 30); 14. Riptide (1983/84 18th), 18. NBC Monday movie (1983/84 21st), 19. Highway to Heaven (first season), 20. Night Court (1983/84 below the Top 30), 22. TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes (1983/84 14th), 25. Remington Steele (1983/84 below the Top 30), 30. Hill Street Blues (1983/84 below the Top 30)

Top 30 fallouts: The Facts of Life (1983/84 24th), Knight Rider (1983/84 25th)

Below the Top 30: NBC Sunday movie, Gimme a Break!, Silver Spoons, St. Elsewhere

Final season: Diff'rent Strokes (moved to ABC for 1985/86), Double Trouble

New fall shows returning in 1985/86: The Cosby Show, Highway to Heaven, Punky Brewster, Miami Vice, Hunter

3rd ABC (1983/84 2nd)

Top 10: #1 Dynasty (1983/84 3rd)

Top 30: 12. Hotel (1983/84 9th), 21. ABC Sunday movie (1983/84 12th), 22. The Fall Guy (1983/84 16th), 25. Monday Night Football (1983/84 21st), 25. Webster (1983/84 25th)

Top 30 fallouts: ABC Monday movie (1983/84 12th), The Love Boat (1983/84 17th), Hardcastle and McCormick (1983/84 25th)

Below the Top 30: Benson, Monday Night Baseball, 20/20, Ripley's Believe it or Not!, Life's Most Embarrassing Moments

Final season: T.J. Hooker (moved to CBS for 1985/86), Matt Houston; Foul Ups, Bleeps & Blunders

New fall shows returning in 1985/86: Who's the Boss?, ABC Thursday movie

New midseason shows returning in 1985/86: Moonlighting, Mr. Belvedere

1984/85 is best remembered for being the peak of primetime soaps and for the premieres of some of the most popular shows of the 1980s: The Cosby Show; Murder, She Wrote; Miami Vice, Who's the Boss, Moonlighting.

Little did we know at the time the impact the breakout success of The Cosby Show and the surprise success of Murder, She Wrote would have on their respective networks and that impact is still being felt nearly 40 years later.

Edited July 13, 2024 by kalbir

[Paul Raven]

Posting a random week from the 81/82 season. Including it as it has the ranking of every show for the week and some numbers also. Rare to have such detailed info.

Week 20 Mon 15-Sun 22 February1982.

Mon 15

ABC  That's Incredible #20 20.2/29                  Movie :The Jerk #7 23.8/36
CBS  Mr Merlin #35 Benjamin Mash # 28  House Calls #46 Lou Grant #56
NBC  Little House #15 21.7/31 90 min  When Johnny Comes Home*@9.30 #26 19/1/29

                                                                              *Johnny Carson returns to Nebraska                                                                                                   hometown.

Tues 16

ABC Happy Days  #29 Laverne #21 3's Company #5 24.3/38 2 Close for Comfort  #4 25.0/37 Hart to Hart #10 22.6/36
CBS  Movie :The Wall #32 17.5/27 (3hrs)
NBC  Father Murphy #45      Bret Maverick  #48     Flamingo Road #51 15.1/24

 

Wed 17

ABC Greatest American Hero #38     Fall  Guy #14 21.8/33 Dynasty #16 21.3/3
CBS WKRP #37 Two of Us  #55    Movie: Lois Gibbs Love Canal #62 12.5/20
NBC Real People  #19 20.8/32  Facts of Life #18 21.2/32 Love Sydney #36 Quincy #31

 

Thur 18

ABC Mork&Mindy  #64 Bosom Buddies #61       Barney Miller  #42 Taxi #43              20/20 #34
CBS Magnum #6 23.8/37  2hr episode                   Knots Landing#40 16.5/25
NBC Fame #59    Diff'rent Strokes #33 Gimme A Break #39 Hill St Blues  #30

 

Fri 19

ABC Benson #53 Open All Hours  #68 /19 Best of the West #69 8.4/13 Making a Living #71 7.8/13                                             Strike Force  #49
CBS Dukes of Hazzard #9 22.7/37   Dallas #1 29.9/48    Falcon Crest #3 25.2/43
NBC NBC Magazine   #66       McClains Law #63  Cassie & Co  #70 8.1/14

 

Sat 20

ABC Kings Crossing # 65 11.4/ Love Boat  #17 21.2/35   Fantasy Island #22
CBS Beyond Witch Mountain (pilot) #27 19.0/32      Movie: Great Santini #60 12.9/23
NBC One of the Boys #54 Harper Valley  # 58         Barbara Mandrell #52        Billy Crystal #67

 

Sun 21

ABC Code Red #50 15.2/24      Today's FBI # 41 Movie: And Justice For All #25 19.4/30
CBS 60 Minutes  #2 27.7/44 Archie Bunker #13 22.1/34 One Day At A Time #12 22.2/33 Alice #8 22.8/33 Jeffersons  #11 22.3/32 Trapper John #24
NBC Rock n Roll Dreams #72 4.5/7    Chips # 47  Movie:Capture of Grizzly Adams #22 19.4/29

Edited August 13, 2024 by Paul Raven

[kalbir]

@Paul Raven That's the week of February 15-21, 1982.

[Paul Raven]

@kalbir Thanks,corrected. NBC were really lagging this season and didn't have any big movies ,mini series or specials to boost those poor numbers. I think as a result of Fred Silverman's tenure, profits were way down and there was a freeze on spending for programming. 

[kalbir]

You're welcome.

At this time, NBC was a mess across the board. As we all know, NBC would not recover in primetime until The Cosby Show came along.

[Paul Raven]

Silverman's 3 year tenure produced only 3 'hits' Diff'rent Strokes/Facts of Life, Real People and Hill St Blues,none of which were consistent Top 10 or Top 20 shows.

The first schedule Grant Tinker oversaw produced Family Ties, Remington Steele, Knight Rider, St Elsewhere and Cheers. None of them were initially successful but there was definite upturn in quality and potential.  Mid season came the A Team, the first genuine hit for NBC in years.

And then Cosby and Golden Girls..

 

 

[Paul Raven]

1983-84 Nielsen ratings for weekly series

1. Dallas

2.60 Minutes

3. Dynasty (tie)

4. The A-Team

5.Simon & Simon

6. Magnum, P.I.

7. Falcon Crest

8. Kate & Allie

9. Hotel 

10. Cagney & Lacey

11. Knots Landing

12. ABC Monday Movie

14. ABC Sunday Movie

14. TV Bloopers

15. The Fall Guy

16. AfterMASH

17. The Love Boat

18. Riptide

19. The Jeffersons

20. Scarecrow & Mrs King

21. Monday Night Football

22. NBC Monday Movie

23.  Newhart

24. The Four Seasons

25. Webster 

26. Knight Rider

27. Alice 

28. CBS Tuesday Movie

29. Facts of Life

30. The Dukes of Hazzard

31. Hardcastle & Mcormick

32. Trapper John

33.Hill Street Blues

34. Three's Company

35. Cheers

36. Goodnight Beantown

37.   NBC Sunday Movie

38. Benson

39. Foulups,Bleeps & Blunders

40. Real People 

41. Remington  Steele

42. T.J. Hooker

43. Family Ties

44. One Day at Time

45. Hart to Hart

46. Mike Hammer

47. Night Court 

48. Gimme A Break

49. Matt Houston

50. Fantasy Island

51. Diff'rent Strokes

52. Maggie Briggs

53.  Oh Madeline

54. Shaping Up

55. Silver Spoons

56. a.k.a. Pablo

57. That's Incredible

58. CBS Saturday Movie

59. Airwolf

60. 20 / 20

61. Blue Thunder

62. Happy Days

63. People Are Funny

64. The Duck Factory

65. We Got It Made

66. The Mississippi

67. Mama's Family

68. Automan

69. Domestic Life

70. St. Elsewhere

71. Double Trouble 

72. Believe it or Not 

 73. Emerald Point

74. Buffalo Bill

75.  Just Our Luck 

 76. CBS Wednesday  Movie

77.  Lottery Movie 

78. Masquerade 

79. NBC Friday Movie 

80. Trauma Center

 81. Boone 

82. Mama Malone

83. The Whiz Kids

84. Nine to Five 

 85.  The American   Parade  

)86. The Master 

87.  It's Not Easy Movie

88. Empire 

91. Jennifer Slept  Here 

90. Manimal

 The Yellow Rose 

 92. Bay City Blues Movie 

93. Two Marriages 

 94. Mr. Smith Movie 

95. The Rousters 

96. For Love &  Honor

97. Cutter to Houston

98. Legmen  

99. The New Show 

100. First Camera 

101. Father Murphy.