Some events are so groundbreaking, dramatic, or otherwise fascinating that people from around the world all tune in to the TV to watch them live. This has been the case since TVs became a household appliance in the 1950s, and it hasn’t really changed. Every now and then, there’s an event so monumental that it garners everyone’s attention. Let’s take a walk down the TV memory lane and revisit some of the 20 most-watched TV events in history.
#20: M*A*S*H Goodbye, Farewell and Amen, 1983
When it aired, the final episode of M*A*S*H, titled “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen,” was one of the most-watched broadcasts of all time. Nearly 106 million viewers were glued to their screens, saying goodbye to their longtime pals Klinger, Mulcahy, and Hawkeye, among other beloved characters. The show first aired in 1972, and after 11 seasons, the final episode aired on February 28, 1983, which meant it was in competition with both Super Bowl XVII and the latest episode of Roots. M*A*S*H’s big finale beat them both.
