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The Most Popular TV Episodes of the Decade

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (58)

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As you’re well aware now, we’re in the midst of our Best of the Decade Lists, and this week has been all about television (we have one more TV-related list going up today that I think y’all are gonna dig). But let’s put aside best and worst for a moment, and let’s look back on the most popular episodes of television this decade. All of these come from earlier parts of the decade because, of course, television viewing is more fractured now, and it’s not really possible to swindle 40 million people into watching a bad fucking reality show (see #3, and then shake your head and then hide it in your ass. Our own asses are the only safe havens left in the world — let us all hide in them).

Anyway, THR gets the honors for compiling this list, but I’m going to replicate it here cause I don’t want you to have to click away. It’s entirely too much energy to expend this early in the day. There’s pictures and YouTubes over there, though, if you’re interested.

10. “Spin City.” Airdate: May 24, 2000. Viewers: 32.8 million. Not the finale, but Michael J. Fox’s final episode.

9. “Everybody Loves Raymond.” Airdate: May 16, 2005. Viewers: 32.9 million. This was the finale. I don’t think I saw it.

8.”Frasier.” Airdate: May 18, 2000. Viewers: 33.7 million. The 7th season finale, where Niles finally confessed his love to Daphne. Awwwwww.

7. “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.” Airdate: May 3, 2000. Viewers: 36 million. Talk about a show that flamed out quickly. Way to run a good thing (ratings-wise) into the ground, ABC.

6. “Grey’s Anatomy” post-Super Bowl episode. Airdate: Feb. 5, 2006. Viewers: 38 million. If I’m not mistaken, this one was the Pink Mist episode with Coach Taylor.

5.”American Idol.” Airdate: Jan. 16, 2007. Viewers: 38.1 million. The sixth season premiere — the one with Sanjaya. Otherwise known as the year that millions of us finally stopped watching.

4. “ER.” Airdate: Feb. 17, 2000. Viewers: 39.4 million. Apparently one of the most tragic eps of the series. I think somebody died.

3. “Joe Millionaire.” Airdate: Feb. 17, 2003. Viewers: 40 million. The finale of that show where it was revealed that Joe wasn’t actually a millionaire; he was a construction worker, as I recall. Embarrassingly, I was one of the 40 million, though I don’t remember the woman’s reaction.

2. “Survivor: Borneo.” Airdate: Aug. 23, 2000. Viewers: 51.7 million. The finale of the first season, where Richard Hatch was awarded a million dollars. I think the show averages around 15 million viewers now, and it’s still one of the top rated shows on TV.

1. “Friends.” Airdate: May 6, 2004. Viewers: 52.5 million. The finale. Was something of a letdown, as I recall.









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Comments

I saw not a one of these.

/hi-fives himself

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 4, 2009 11:04 AM

Oh the shame! Most of this list just goes to the embarrassment of America.

Posted by: Cindy at December 4, 2009 11:07 AM

Oh my god Carter and Lucy yes? Yeah, I cried. A lot. In fact...no, it's ok, I can keep it together. It was that damn Romano showing he had a heart that got me.

Posted by: Carrie at December 4, 2009 11:09 AM

There are words there and they are trying to tell me something but all I can read is 'suck'.

Posted by: admin at December 4, 2009 11:12 AM

I didn't see a one of these as well. Can I get a high five Slim? High ten?

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 11:14 AM

The first Survivor was the only one I watched but I really liked it. On Joe Millionaire the stupid woman picked him over the money then they gave the two of them money anyway I believe. Then they broke up like a month later. I watched Who Wants to be a Millionaire at first too.

That's it for me. I saw Friends eventually though.

Posted by: becks at December 4, 2009 11:19 AM

I never saw that episode of Frasier but I wish I did. I still like Frasier.

Posted by: becks at December 4, 2009 11:21 AM

I'm sorry, I clicked away. Here is THR skipping the whole copy editing thing:

"The episode was only subtly climatic, with Ray Barone's routine surgery resulting in a moment where his family thought he might have died."

So it was temperate, but largely unremarkable, meteorologically speaking? This is sad, because writing sentences that makes since is kind of basic, in journalism. But again: you shouldn't have let go of Dan.

Posted by: Christopher at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM

Can I get a high five Slim? High ten?

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 11:14 AM

*HI-TEN*

Wanna fistpump?

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM

I saw Grey's Anatomy because I was at a Super Bowl party and my wife wouldn't let me leave. I actually had to cover the fucking finale of fucking Friends for an otherwise professional news-gathering organization. The day I got that assignment was the day I knew for certain my time at the TimesDaily of Florence, Ala. was coming to a rapid end.

Posted by: Tracer Bullet at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM

I saw three of these. In my defense, I was young and foolish, so suck it.

Posted by: Jeremy Feist at December 4, 2009 11:24 AM

This is sad, because writing sentences that makes since is kind of basic, in journalism. But again: you shouldn't have let go of Dan.

Posted by: Christopher at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM


Huh?

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 4, 2009 11:25 AM

Fucking dumb-ass Friends.

Can you legally call a show "Friends" if they have all had sex with each other? I think they should have changed the name to "Fuckers".

Reminds me of my ex-boyfriend in high school. There was a group of friends that all constantly inter-dated within the same group of about 12 people. It all felt very incestuous. It was like they were incapable of finding new DNA to mate with.

Posted by: Commander Strikeher at December 4, 2009 11:26 AM

Weird. I was in boot camp for #10, 8, 7, and 2. I remember hearing about Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and American Idol while stationed overseas, but I couldn't remove my face from all that Asian poon long enough to give a shit.

The finale of Friends was "The One Where They Settle for Mediocre Acting Careers." Real tearjerker.

Posted by: Kballs at December 4, 2009 11:30 AM

I saw a few of these. There were definitely some tears.

Posted by: Nieve 'The Threadkiller Queen' at December 4, 2009 11:33 AM

Fistpump here too!

Also? I'm surprised the final X-Files ep didn't make the list. How low the great ones fall. Pathetic.

Posted by: Scully at December 4, 2009 11:39 AM

Yes, that was the Pink Mist episode, and yes, I watched it when it aired. And YES, I have that season on DVD.

I like things that go splodey.

Posted by: Nicole at December 4, 2009 11:40 AM

Jeez, I saw the Spin City ep. I'd had no idea what Spin City was beforehand. My mom was watching it so I snuggled in next to her. At that point, my only Michael J Fox frame of reference was Stuart freaking Little, and I was all, OMG the Stuart Little ahs Parkinson's?????
Anyway, it's interesting to see it on a list nearly 10 years later. And now I'm astonished because for a while there all my 10 year old memories were of me crying and spilling shit.

Posted by: Ling at December 4, 2009 11:50 AM

Saw absolutely none of these. Never was a big fan of Raymond, hated Friends with a white-hot passion usually reserved for the Patriots, never saw an episode of Survivor (avoid ALL reality *cough cough* TV like the plague).

So, yeah, I basically just sit in my cave and bake. And, I think I'm the better for it.

Posted by: dammitjanet at December 4, 2009 11:52 AM

Saw the Frasier and ER, that's about it though. I've never watched an episode of Grey's in my life.

Posted by: Xtreme at December 4, 2009 11:53 AM

Is Pink Mist a euphemism for a queef?

Posted by: Pinky McLadybits at December 4, 2009 11:54 AM

Scully

By the time they got around to ending it most of us had already given up on the X-files. Pretty much since Doggett.

Posted by: Yossarian at December 4, 2009 12:05 PM

I managed to avoid seeing every one of those, but I don't know if that puts me on a higher aesthetic plane than the masses, or just makes me an out of touch grump.

I'd ask my girlfriend, but I'm afraid I know how she'd answer.

Posted by: thingmaker at December 4, 2009 12:08 PM

"There are no Filanges in the plane!!!!!!"

Posted by: Sofía at December 4, 2009 12:08 PM

Hee. I also watched the Joe Millionaire finale. I was in college and watched everything. I remember the woman looked really underwhelmed. And I remember she was way too smart for the show, and the guy.

"Someone died", about ER? Gotta be more specific, because EVERYONE died on ER. Except for like, 4 or 5 people, everyone died or had a relative who died and was never happy. Stupid ER.

And yeah. Sanjaya made me stop watching AI. He did one thing right.

Posted by: figgy at December 4, 2009 12:13 PM

Wow, I didn't see a single one. Hardly watched any of those shows (Frazier here and there until they just grate on your nerves too badly and Friends only when I was forced).

Posted by: Snuggiepants the Deathbringer at December 4, 2009 12:18 PM

"There are no Filanges in the plane!!!!!!"

Posted by: Sofía at December 4, 2009 12:08 PM

I'll drink to that!

Posted by: Peanut_Butter_And_James at December 4, 2009 12:19 PM

Yossarian I had given up on X-Files around season 6 and missed the show finale myself. For shame! It's just so sad to think about a show that once was so great end up so dreadful.

That's why I'm so happy that Lost has a timeline. It's a great way to preserve quality.

Posted by: Scully at December 4, 2009 12:24 PM

The Carter/Lucy episode on ER was one of the best. I actually tuned back into the show for that one.

Friends finale...yeah, that blew. But that stopped being funny once Monica and Chandler hooked up. The finale was just more suckage.

Posted by: Brie at December 4, 2009 12:27 PM

Is Pink Mist a euphemism for a queef?

Posted by: Pinky McLadybits

Pinky McLady, I just sharted I laughed so hard. And that was my one clean pair of crime fighters for the week.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 12:32 PM

I saw 2 of these. Maybe the Frasier one, damned if I can remember.

#4: The ER ep was likely the one where Mark Green (Anthony Edwards) died. It was a great episode and pretty much marked the last time I watched that show. I remember it mainly because at one point Mark yells "shit!" and I think that may have been the first time I'd ever seen that on NBC. Don't remember ever seeing it again on there for that matter.

#1: I watched it. I liked Friends for half of it's life. About the time they ran out of couplings and put Joey and Rachel together I gave up. There were some classics in the early seasons, though.

Posted by: TylerDFC at December 4, 2009 12:42 PM

Only 2 of these were after 2005? And the most recent was 2007?

What have people been doing for the last 4 years? Have people gone out and gotten some lives somewhere that I don't know about?

Personally, most of my favorite shows of the decade are from after 2005 (Mad Men, Dexter, 30 Rock, etc). Maybe we've scared off the rest of the masses with our massively good taste.

Posted by: Lizzle at December 4, 2009 12:44 PM

Wanna fistpump?

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM

You mean one of those Obama terrorist fistjabs? No thank you.

Terrorist.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at December 4, 2009 12:51 PM

"Most Popular" to the fans of this website could just as well be written, "Shit You All Hate." You just as well could have written "Nazi Pedophile TV Episodes of the Decade" and the comments would be exactly the same.

--phff-- Hipster douchebags, all of you.

*hangs head in shame and clicks the "post comment" button*

Posted by: superasente at December 4, 2009 1:00 PM

Is it terrorist or socialist? I get so confused by the political rhetoric these days. And yes, yes I would like to fistpump, BSlim. I'm in constant need of male acceptance. I have "daddy issues". Ever since JD took the plunge into the bay. Sadness ensues.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 1:01 PM

My count: 0

I'll fistpump with y'all non-watchers (although I refuse to call it a "terrorist fistjab," Forbiddendonut, because it's just SO last year).

Posted by: esme at December 4, 2009 1:03 PM

I watched "Friends" religiously. Sure, it really started to suck in the last few seasons, but it still had its moments. I think I was just invested in the characters after watching for ten years.

Yeah, the finale was pretty lame (esp. the B plot and C plot), but for those of us who had been watching since the beginning, it was downright satisfying to see the Ross/Rachel thing resolved. After TEN YEARS.

Sure, it's no "Arrested Development", or even "The Office", but it never claimed to be. It did a fine job of delivering what it promised -- brainless fun.

***

Good Lord, I just read that over and realized I'm two sentences away from writing "ur all just jealus because u dont have a luv like ross and rachel's. ne1 who doesnt get it should just get a life and stop critisizing friendz. TEAM ROSS!!"

Must... redeem self... think of something... witty... self-deprecating... to say...

GAAH!!!

*flees in utter humiliation*

Posted by: Jelinas at December 4, 2009 1:20 PM

Is it terrorist or socialist? I get so confused by the political rhetoric these days.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 1:01 PM

Sorry, JDW, the fact that you used the phrase "political rhetoric" means it doesn't matter what you call yourself. The only question I have for you: Is it just America you hate, or freedom in general?

-------------------

I'll fistpump with y'all non-watchers (although I refuse to call it a "terrorist fistjab," Forbiddendonut, because it's just SO last year).

Posted by: esme at December 4, 2009 1:03 PM

Threat level's still orange, esme. ORANGE!

That said, since I, too, watched none of these episodes, I will give you all a Freedom Salute.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at December 4, 2009 1:44 PM

Forbiddendonut, as we speak I am riding on the wings of a bald eagle with thirteen arrows clutched in my left hand and the horns of Ronnie James Dio skyward with my right. And someone from the US Treasury just called to inform me that they're putting JDW's face on the front of the newly printed 15 dollar bill. You can't GET more patriotic than that shit.

Red to the white to the blue, y'all.

These colours don't run.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 1:54 PM

Well, as I am apparently the only Pajiban who is also a Frasier afficianado, I must also recommend the following episodes:

S11E3 - "The Doctor Is Out" - Frasier comes out of the closet, sort of. Also starring Patrick Stewart.

S2E3 - "The Matchmaker" - Frasier sets up Daphne with his new Station Manager, who, unbeknownst to Frasier, happens to be gay. Oopsie!

S11E11 - "High Holidays" - Martin accidently consumes a pot brownie meant for Niles. (long story) Highjinks ensue:

Frasier - "Dad, where are your pants?"
Martin - "In the fridge. I had a reason." Takes paper out of his pocket, unfolds it, shows it to Frasier. "See? Fridge pants."

Trust me, watch this one.

-Ralphie

Posted by: ralphie at December 4, 2009 2:09 PM

These colours don't run.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 1:54 PM

Colours, JDW? ColoUrs!?!

Nice try, pinko. You've been betrayed by your own socialist spelling ways.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at December 4, 2009 2:14 PM

Colours, JDW? ColoUrs!?!

Nice try, pinko. You've been betrayed by your own socialist spelling ways.

Posted by: Forbiddendonut at December 4, 2009 2:14 PM
-----------------------------------------

Nice catch FbT.

You've been identified and listed, comrade.


Posted by: BarbadoSlim at December 4, 2009 2:28 PM

Forbiddendonut, I'm from Freedomville, CA, which is located in Freedom County, just south of the Freedom River. On the back of my toilet resides the Good Book, accompanied by a draft of the constitution that I got at a Veteran's Flea Market back in 1989. When you ring my doorbell, Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" echoes throughout my household. YOU WANT THE TRUTH? YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH! YOU'RE GOD DAMN RIGHT I ORDERED THE CODE RED! YOU WANT ME ON THAT WALL, YOU NEED ME ON THAT WALL!

Okay, that was fun. I swear I'm done here.

Posted by: John Denver's Wingman at December 4, 2009 2:33 PM

JDW

I think the lady doth protest too much. Go back to that country in Asia filled with people who wear weird clothes and leave America to those of us who know better than to keep the Good Book on the toilet! Do you know how many cell phones get flushed every day? You should NEVER put the basis of the American legal system at risk that way (or a draft of the constitution)!

Posted by: esme at December 4, 2009 2:45 PM

Jelinas - I'll fistbump you! TEAM MS. CHANANDLER BONG!

Posted by: Lainey at December 4, 2009 5:43 PM

Ralphie, you are not alone--I adore Frasier. Ooh, the crazy love-triangle episode "The Ski Lodge"? Brilliant!

Also, I stuck with ER to the bitter end, including that episode. Saw the Friends finale too (was never a big fan, but it was watchable enough). At least I can honestly say I've never seen an episode of Survivor or Joe Millionaire.

Posted by: meaux at December 4, 2009 6:03 PM

That episode of ER is just heartbreaking. To this day, I can't watch David Krumholtz in anything without thinking, "He killed Lucy!"

Be proud, Jelinas. Few shows hold up in reruns like Friends does. I'm with ya.

Posted by: MelBivDevoe at December 4, 2009 6:59 PM

@Tyler

No. It's the Carter/Lucy episode. They were stabbed during a Valentine's Day party. Look at the date.


Lucy Knight was one of my great childhood loves. Why did she want off the show? Cuz her sister was dying, and she couldn't handle being in a hospital, even if it was a fake one.

So they killed her.

Posted by: JakesAlterEgo at December 4, 2009 6:59 PM

If that ER episode is the one where Carter and Lucy get stabbed, then I saw it. It was reasonably sad. If it's the one where Anthony Edwards died, I didn't.

Other than that, I have seen none of these episodes, and I'm not one bit sorry.

Posted by: MM at December 4, 2009 7:00 PM

I saw one of these.

/high four-and-a-halfs herself

Posted by: BloodyMary at December 4, 2009 7:00 PM

First Survivor was solid.

Posted by: Mick J at December 4, 2009 9:06 PM

The list you wrote up there? That is the reason the Cockroach People are going to be the only thing left on this planet this time next millenium. Signs of the apocalypse, baby, all ten of them.

Posted by: YeahButNoBut at December 4, 2009 9:53 PM

I don't think I saw any of these episodes, but I'm with Jelinas, Lainey and MelBivDevoe- I watched Friends. It was popular, I was young, it was on.

Posted by: Alexandra at December 5, 2009 8:02 AM

0/10, yay.

When confronted with such numbers I am constitutionally obligated to point out that when 50 million people watch a show it means 5,950,000,000 people don't and couldn't possibly care less.

Posted by: , at December 5, 2009 10:35 AM

Hey everyone, you're missing the greatest thing about this thread/post.

Some dillweed tried to get all uppity about something someone wrote:

I'm sorry, I clicked away. Here is THR skipping the whole copy editing thing:

"The episode was only subtly climatic, with Ray Barone's routine surgery resulting in a moment where his family thought he might have died."

So it was temperate, but largely unremarkable, meteorologically speaking? This is sad, because writing sentences that makes since is kind of basic, in journalism. But again: you shouldn't have let go of Dan.

Posted by: Christopher at December 4, 2009 11:23 AM

But then he completely pwns himself and looks like a total ASS by using a completely different fucking word that makes no sense whatsoever. Sense, motherfucker, not since!

He will never post here again.

Posted by: Midnight Monkey Madness at December 5, 2009 1:08 PM

The HOTTEST interracial club__MixedConnect *.* C O M___for black Women and white Men, or black Men and white Women, to interact with each other. Interracial is not a problem here, but a great merit to cherish!

Posted by: brantty at December 7, 2009 12:44 AM

Hey "Friends" haters, if you're on this site and you hate that episode without watching, you should really think twice. If I'm not mistaken, an adorable Paul Rudd is part of the finale and Paijba readers/writers all seem to go apeshit over that kind of guy. So there's at least one bright spot. And babies! BABIES!

Posted by: alice at December 7, 2009 3:52 AM

Friends is even funnier dubbed in Japanese :)
http://www.japansugoi.com/wordpress/friends-dubbed-in-japanese/

Posted by: sasheel at March 6, 2011 8:36 PM