The Nielsens: November 12-18, 1984

These days, pretty much everyone walks around with a TV in their pocket, and there are so many viewing options that pretty much every show — no matter how popular it might be in the current definition of the term — is broadcast for a niche audience. But for decades, the small number of networks and the relative lack of options for rewatching anything meant that Americans watched a lot of the same stuff at the same time — and even programs that have largely been forgotten today drew what would now be considered massive ratings. In this recurring column, we take a fond and often somewhat mystified look back at the Nielsen ratings from long ago.

Fatal Vision, Part I
Taking the top spot this week is the first installment of a three-part miniseries whose title makes it seem like it should have aired on Lifetime, but instead was broadcast by NBC — mostly because Lifetime was in its infancy in 1984, and still airing stuff like Mother's Day with Joan Lunden and What Every Baby Knows rather than the enthusiastically trashy programming for which they would eventually become known.

I digress. Fatal Vision, based on the pulp novel that had been a hit the year before, tells the story of a former Green Beret (played by Gary Cole!) who's accused of murdering his wife and kids. Just the sort of luridly sensationalistic melodrama that was perfect for watercooler conversations during this era, and it had the added benefit of a pretty spectacular cast — including Karl Malden, who won an Emmy for his portrayal of Cole's father-in-law, as well as Eva Marie Saint, Barry Corbin, and special guest Andy Griffith. Behold this lovingly curated laserdisc transfer!