SEINFELD vs. M*A*S*H

M*A*S*H's record of 60-70 million viewers. The only show that even comes close to it is Cheers which scored 54 million viewers on the last episode. Now from what I'm hearing through all these newspapers, the final episode of "Seinfeld" has an excellent chance of besting Cheers' record and has an outside shot of ousting M*A*S*H. I seriously think that "Seinfeld" will top Cheers' record, given the popularity it has right now and because NBC will undoubtably make a commercial blitz for "The Final Seinfeld" during the May Sweeps. But can Seinfeld beat out M*A*S*H? Not even a Super Bowl has come close to M*A*S*H and Cheers! Personally I think Seinfeld has a shot at M*A*S*H but it'll come up short, unless Larry David agrees with Jerry to produce the final episode....that should be interesting....

......One other thing, what is the last Seinfeld gonna be called?

• if it beats the all time viewer finale record: S*M*A*S*H*E*D
• if it doesn't: T*R*A*S*H*E*D

One of the main reasons the numbers for the final "M*A*S*H" episode were so outrageous was that cable television and VCR's were little, if any, factor in early 1983. These days, with 8 gazillion channels to choose from, it is obvious that very few shows will achieve the same stellar numbers, even the Super Bowl. NBC did a fairly good hype job on the last five episodes of "Cheers" and the final was a ratings blockbuster, but still nowhere near M*A*S*H. Ah, I knew my degree in radio/television/film would be useful in conversation someday! (class of 1987)