The most impactful television events of the last 50 years

[Paul Anderson]

I can't argue with most of those, but the death of Whitney Houston?  What?  The death of some singer from the 1980s can't compare with the killing of John Lennon, a cultural icon for multiple generations.  And the wedding of of Prince William is bigger than any of the other "fossil" items Kevin mentions?

On the other hand, "top 500" album or song lists often have some recent, more transient hits mixed in with those that would make the _next_ top 500 also.  I suspect next year's list, if any, would have some of the more recent events drop off.

Paul


On Jul 12, 2012, at 10:31 AM, Kevin Vahey wrote:

> This list bothers me - I know age is a factor but still.
> 
> To me one of the most shocking out of the blue TV events happened during a
> Patriots game in 1980.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n73GFvAyIjs
> 
> For us older fossils there are several that would make the list
> 
> RFK shot.
> LBJ announces he is not running.
> Landing on the Moon.
> Oswald shot.
> Nixon calls it quits.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> The most impactful television events of the last 50 years, as measured in a
> survey conducted by Nielsen and Sony Electronics. The rankings are based on
> a questionnaire of consumers about events they had watched, if they
> remember where they were and if they discussed the events with others.
> 
> 1. Sept. 11 terrorist attacks (2001).
> 2. Hurricane Katrina (2005).
> 3. The O.J. Simpson verdict (1995).
> 4. The Challenger space shuttle explodes (1986).
> 5. Death of Osama bin Laden (2011).
> 6. The O.J. Simpson White Bronco chase (1994).
> 7. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami (2011).
> 8. Columbine school shooting (1999).
> 9. BP oil spill in Gulf of Mexico (2010).
> 10. Princess Diana's funeral (1997).
> 11. Death of Whitney Houston (2012).
> 12. Capture and execution of Saddam Hussein (2006).
> 13. Barack Obama Election Night speech (2008)
> 14. Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011).
> 15. John F. Kennedy assassination (1963).
> 16. Oklahoma City bombing (1995).
> 17. Bush/Gore disputed election (2000).
> 18. Los Angeles riots, Rodney King beating (1992).
> 19. Casey Anthony murder trial verdict (2011).
> 20. John F. Kennedy funeral (1963)