Passionate television viewers know all too well that the 1990s were jam-packed full of unforgettable sitcoms, dramas, and all around undisputed classics. From beloved comedies like Friends and Seinfeld to the trailblazing medical hit ER, the small screen was booming during the nostalgic decade and helped make superstars out of many of these shows’ talented ensemble casts.
Many of these popular programs delivered some truly sensational ratings, with millions upon millions of viewers tuning in week-after-week to catch their favorite shows. Such numbers now seem unfathomable in today’s world, but in the ‘90s audiences had fewer content to consume and they held on tight to what they had and loved.
The Nielsen ratings have helped document TV viewership for decades and were quite busy during this time in entertainment history. These are the 10 most-watched TV episodes of the ‘90s.
10 “Reel Men” — 43.8 Million Viewers
Home Improvement Season 3, Episode 15
Chronicling the never-dull lives of the Detroit-based Taylor family and their rambunctious three boys, Home Improvement centered on Tim (Tim Allen) and Jill (Patricia Richardson) as they attempted to keep their bustling household going and raise their dynamic kids, all-the-while pursuing their own goals and aspirations.
In the episode “Reel Men,” Tim and Al head out and go ice fishing while Jill invites her girlfriends over for a much-needed day of pampering; naturally, hijinks ensue for the determined duo on their mission to catch a fish.
Finding Its Ratings Groove
By the time the third season of Home Improvement premiered for its 1993–1994 season, it was #2 in the Top 10 Nielsen ratings and had already won numerous accolades including four People’s Choice Awards and two ASCAP Awards.
The show’s overall viewership ranged from around 25 million viewers to 44 million and was steadily making lead star Tim Allen one of the small screen’s most buzzed-about leading men; he would go on to continue to capitalize on his popularity and notably branch out into film (with equally spectacular success). Stream on Disney+
9 “The Eve of Construction” — 44.0 Million Viewers
Home Improvement Season 3, Episode 18
As previously mentioned, Home Improvement was dominating the ratings game by the sitcom’s third season and experienced its highest viewership numbers of the entire series with the episode “The Eve of Construction.”
In the momentous installment, Jill and Al join forces for a good cause and volunteer for a Habitat for Humanity build, teaming up because Jim believes married couples shouldn’t try to work together. Tim subsequently assembles his own volunteer team to out-perform the pair, and a not-so-friendly competition between the groups swiftly forms.
Allen’s Hollywood Takeover
“The Eve of Construction” attracted a whopping 44 million viewers and further established Home Improvement as one of television’s most fan-favorites programs and a welcome distraction from life’s constant stresses.
While the show’s subsequent five seasons would also prove to be a major ratings success, no other episode was able to deliver such phenomenal numbers and its viewership peaked during season three. Allen would go on to star in the blockbuster holiday hit The Santa Clause that same year and also released his book Don’t Stand Too Close to a Naked Man, cementing 1994 as a knockout year for himself. Stream on Disney+
8 “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato” — 44.0 Million Viewers
Murphy Brown Season 5, Episodes 1/2
Candice Bergen delivered one of the finest performances of her career when she appeared as the eponymous investigative journalist in the unforgettable sitcom Murphy Brown, which follows the recovering alcoholic and famous media personality as she attempts to reclaim her former glory and return to her competitive field after going to rehab.
In the season five opener “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato,” the savvy and sharp-tongued Murphy goes toe-to-toe with Vice President Dan Quayle while adapting to life with her newborn child Avery.
Murphy vs. The Vice President
Quayle was openly critical of single parents and criticized the show for featuring an unmarried woman having a baby, and in retaliation the writers and producers of Murphy Brown crafted an entire episode addressing the Vice President’s views.
The episode attracted 44 million viewers and resulted in Quayle extending an olive branch to the sitcom and sending the fictional baby Avery a real plush toy elephant as an apology. “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato” landed at number 64 for TV Guide’s 100 Greatest Episodes list and remains a must-see for devoted fans. Currently unavailable for streaming
7 “And So We Commence” — 44.4 Million Viewers
The Cosby Show Season 8, Episodes 24/25
After bringing laughter and joy to audiences all across the world for eight stellar seasons, the wholesome Huxtable family said goodbye to fans in 1992 with the two-part series finale “And So We Commence.”
The groundbreaking sitcom The Cosby Show starred the now-disgraced comedian Bill Cosby as patriarch Cliff Huxtable, as he and his successful lawyer wife Clair (Phylicia Rashad) raised their five children in Brooklyn Heights while dealing with the many hurdles life can present.
Making Television History
The Cosby Show topped the television rankings for five of its eight seasons, becoming just one of three programs to do so (along with All in the Family and American Idol). Viewers anxiously tuned in to see what would happen to the lively Huxtable clan as they prepared for Theo’s impending graduation, and fans were touched as Cliff and Clair shared one final dance through the set and out the studio doors.
The endearing sitcom was a trailblazing TV triumph and became a highly decorated series, nabbing prestigious awards like six Primetime Emmys and two Golden Globes Awards during its run. Buy on Prime Video
6 “Cheers 200th Anniversary Special” — 45.9 Million Viewers
Cheers Season 9, Episode 8
Featuring an exceptional ensemble cast including Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, and Woody Harrelson, the beloved classic sitcom Cheers famously took place at the titular Boston bar where former MLB baseball player and proprietor Sam Malone entertained a slew of colorful characters at the popular watering hole, as they meet up to socialize and unwind.
The love life of notorious lothario Malone was a major focal point in the series, as he was famously swept up in an on-again/off-again romance with waitress Diane Chambers.
A Major TV Milestone
In honor of the smash hit show’s 200th episode, producers released an anniversary special for the sitcom that recapped the previous 199 episodes and consisted of commentary and interviews by the cast members and creators.
The ninth season of the long-running program earned four Primetime Emmy Awards including Outstanding Comedy Series, and the epic ratings proved that Cheers wasn’t slowing down one bit and was still the sitcom darling of the small screen even after years of being on-air. Stream on Paramount+
5 “A Hole in the Heart” — 47.78 Million Viewers
ER Season 4, Episode 22
Long before Grey’s Anatomy was making audiences cry week after week, the original trailblazing medical drama ER was dominating screens everywhere and serving up some seriously harrowing content and storylines.
Focusing on the professional and personal lives of the emergency room staff at Chicago’s Cook County General Hospital, the juggernaut series touted a dazzling and ever-changing ensemble cast like George Clooney, Noah Wyle and Julianna Margulies during its fantastic 15-season run.
A Transcending Medical Drama Staple
In the season 4 finale episode “A Hole in the Heart”, more than 47 million viewers watched as Clooney’s character Dr. Doug Ross dealt with the repercussions of his efforts to help treat a drug-addicted baby, while Nurse Carol Hathaway (Margulies) must trust her instincts with a suicidal patients.
The gripping episode marked the last appearance of Maria Bello’s character Dr. Anna Del Amico and was the most-watched entry in the exciting show’s extensive catalog. ER is the second longest-running medical drama in American TV history and helped launch the careers of its talented cast, while paving the way for future shows of the genre. Stream on Max
4 “The One After the Superbowl” — 52.9 Million Viewers
Friends Season 2, Episodes 12/13
The beloved lightning in a bottle sitcom Friends completely captivated audiences everywhere as they fell in love with the quirky and endearing Central Perk gang, who attempted to navigate love, friendship, and their respective careers during their 20s and 30s in New York City.
The celebrated classic helped make household names of its gifted stars like Jennifer Aniston and the late and great Matthew Perry, as passionate fans became heavily invested in the lives of the close-knit pals over its ten-season run.
Friends Smashes Super Bowl Records
Any time a TV show lands the highly-coveted time slot right after the Super Bowl, the exposure can truly help the ratings skyrocket, which is exactly what happened with Friends. In the 1996 double-length episode “The One After the Superbowl,” Ross goes on an epic journey to be reunited with his precious former pet monkey Marcel, who is now a major animal actor shooting a film in New York.
The sitcom entry holds the title for the highest-rated Super Bowl lead-out program in television history and became the most-watched episode in the entire series, attracting an unprecedented audience of 52.9 million viewers. Stream on Max
3 “The Chronicle” — 58.53 Million Viewers
Seinfeld Season 9, Episodes 21/22
Widely regarded as one of the most influential and greatest TV shows of all time, Seinfeld famously features stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who portrays a fictionalized version of himself, and has been accurately described as “a show about nothing”. The sitcom follows Seinfeld as he and his pals George, Kramer, and Elaine deal with the mundane experiences of life in New York City, as the kooky pals find themselves caught up in wild misadventures and side-splitting situations.
Build-Up to the Grand Finale
Lauded for its brilliant writing, unique characters, and playful storylines, Seinfeld was a massive hit amongst critics and topped the Nielsen ratings in seasons six and nine.
In the hour-long, two-part episode “The Chronicle,” the gang heads out to go to the movies and a montage of hilarious clips from the show’s nine seasons are showcased in preparation for the series finale (that would air that same night). It included previously unseen footage and fun bloopers of the cast and crew during production, as well as interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits and photographs. Stream on Netflix
2 “The Finale” — 76.3 Million Viewers
Seinfeld Season 9, Episodes 23/24
For nine hilarious seasons, Seinfeld was constantly keeping avid viewers on their toes with its delightfully offbeat humor and wild shenanigans, and when it was time to say goodbye to Jerry and the gang on May 14, 1998, fans weren’t sure what to expect.
In “The Finale,” Seinfeld, George, Elaine, and Kramer find themselves in some hot water after they accidentally violate a local law in Massachusetts and are subsequently put on trial; the unruly friends must await their respective fates in the bittersweet final episode of the comedy.
Seinfeld’s Finale and…Sinatra?
Despite having departed the series after its seventh season, co-creator Larry David returned to write the final episode of the sitcom and its much-anticipated conclusion was heavily guarded with secrecy. 76.3 million viewers watched as the misfits received their verdicts, becoming the fourth most-watched series finale in TV history, behind M*A*S*H, Cheers, and The Fugitive.
The episode is interestingly linked to the death of music legend Frank Sinatra, who after suffering a massive heart attack was rushed to the hospital the same night the finale aired. His wife Barbara was able to quickly make it to his bedside before he ultimately passed away after learning of the news, because the street’s were extremely empty, with the masses staying at home to say goodbye to Seinfeld.Stream on Netflix
1 “One for the Road” — 80.4 Million Viewers
Cheers Season 11, Episode 26
The most-watched single TV episode of the 1990s was the series finale of the revered sitcom Cheers, which garnered a record-shattering 80.4 million viewers on May 20, 1993.
The conclusion of the feel-good show was a 98-minute version that saw the return of Shelley Long’s character Diane Chambers, as she returns to Boston and is reunited with her former flame Sam Malone. The final episode reveals what happens to the bar’s patrons and as they all contemplate the meaning of life and what they want out of it.
Cheers Dominates ’90s TV Ratings
The final ratings for “One for the Road” remains a bit conflicting even to this day, as most outlets reported that 80.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the finale while NBC estimated that the number was even higher, claiming 93 million people did. This would mean that nearly 40% of the entire United States’ population at the time tuned in to watch the last episode of the sitcom.
Regardless, Cheers went out with a spectacular bang and its conclusion tugged on the heartstrings of fans everywhere, and in the decades since its final curtain call the show keeps growing in popularity and admiration. Stream on Paramount+
