On January 8, 1964 there were two very big TV programs being broadcasted that same night. The first one was an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies titled "The Giant Jackrabbit" on CBS. Which was followed by then President LBJ's first State of the Union Address since the assassination of JFK, that would be broadcasted on all three networks ABC, NBC and CBS simultaneously .
A majority of the American public put aside what they normally would do for that night to see and hear their new president address the tragedy of the nations great loss from Capitol Hill and to find out for the first time what their new presidents vision for America was moving forward.
However, the public would have to wait until 10:00 PM est before they could get the answers to their question, leaving 2-hours of normal Wednesday night prime time broadcasting to watch before the highly anticipated State of the Union Address began.
One of the shows being broadcasted that Wednesday night at 9 o'clock est on CBS was an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies called the "The Giant Jackrabbit". And, for what ever reason, 60 percent of the TV viewing public all decided to tune in simultaneously to watch Granny mistakenly identify a kangaroo for a giant 5-foot jackrabbit, and go to battle with it. Which made that episode of The Beverly Hillbillies the most watched TV show ever broadcasted at that time.
While many programs like Super Bowls, MASH final episode, Who Shot JR cliffhangers and TV movies like "Roots" have since eclipsed the 1964 broadcast of "The Giant Jackrabbit" in total ratings. However, that episode of The Beverly Hillbillies still remains the top rated 30-minute sitcom broadcast of all time to this day. And, probably always will be considering the saturation of the TV market today.
And, the thing about it is, is that "The Giant Jackrabbit" is an absolute hilarious episode from beginning to end. So you can just imagine 60 percent of the public while anxiously waiting LBJ to address the greatest tragedy of their life time thus far, were rolling over with laughter at Granny mistake a kangaroo for a giant jackrabbit just an hour before the new president takes the stage on Capitol Hill.
The greatest comedic broadcast in TV history quickly followed by one of the most tragic State of the Union speeches in history, all within a span of an hour. WOW! What a crazy night of TV viewing that must have been.
In short, you have to watch this episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. If for nothing else to laugh out loud, and to be experience a little American history too.
A majority of the American public put aside what they normally would do for that night to see and hear their new president address the tragedy of the nations great loss from Capitol Hill and to find out for the first time what their new presidents vision for America was moving forward.
However, the public would have to wait until 10:00 PM est before they could get the answers to their question, leaving 2-hours of normal Wednesday night prime time broadcasting to watch before the highly anticipated State of the Union Address began.
One of the shows being broadcasted that Wednesday night at 9 o'clock est on CBS was an episode of The Beverly Hillbillies called the "The Giant Jackrabbit". And, for what ever reason, 60 percent of the TV viewing public all decided to tune in simultaneously to watch Granny mistakenly identify a kangaroo for a giant 5-foot jackrabbit, and go to battle with it. Which made that episode of The Beverly Hillbillies the most watched TV show ever broadcasted at that time.
While many programs like Super Bowls, MASH final episode, Who Shot JR cliffhangers and TV movies like "Roots" have since eclipsed the 1964 broadcast of "The Giant Jackrabbit" in total ratings. However, that episode of The Beverly Hillbillies still remains the top rated 30-minute sitcom broadcast of all time to this day. And, probably always will be considering the saturation of the TV market today.
And, the thing about it is, is that "The Giant Jackrabbit" is an absolute hilarious episode from beginning to end. So you can just imagine 60 percent of the public while anxiously waiting LBJ to address the greatest tragedy of their life time thus far, were rolling over with laughter at Granny mistake a kangaroo for a giant jackrabbit just an hour before the new president takes the stage on Capitol Hill.
The greatest comedic broadcast in TV history quickly followed by one of the most tragic State of the Union speeches in history, all within a span of an hour. WOW! What a crazy night of TV viewing that must have been.
In short, you have to watch this episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. If for nothing else to laugh out loud, and to be experience a little American history too.
