On March 21, 1980, CBS aired “A House Divided,” the explosive season finale of Dallas that would forever change television history. This groundbreaking episode, which turns 45 today, launched the infamous “Who Shot J.R.?” phenomenon that captivated viewers across the globe for eight months.
The episode masterfully wove together multiple storylines that pushed J.R. Ewing’s villainous behavior to new heights. From attempting to institutionalize his wife Sue Ellen and run his mistress Kristin Shepard out of town, to shutting down oil wells to spite Cliff Barnes, J.R.’s actions left him with no shortage of enemies. The episode culminated in the now-legendary scene where an unknown assailant gunned down J.R. in his office late at night.
The cliffhanger sparked an international media frenzy, with viewers in 57 countries following the mystery. Even Queen Elizabeth was intrigued by the whodunit. The episode’s impact on television history earned it the #69 spot on TV Guide’s list of 100 Greatest Episodes, and it’s credited with popularizing the season-ending cliffhanger format that’s now a television staple.
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