As the 75th edition of the Emmy Awards approaches this Monday, the Television Academy has meticulously curated a list of the 75 Most Impactful Television Moments, spanning eight decades of TV history.
Released on Friday, January 12, 2024, the ranking reflects a collaboration between industry insiders from the television sector and academics. The unveiling of this historic list precedes the grand celebration of the 75th Emmy Awards on Monday, January 15.
Topping the list is the monumental Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, marked by Neil Armstrong’s iconic declaration of a “giant leap for mankind.”
The second spot is occupied by the gripping coverage of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, while the Beatles’ groundbreaking 1964 appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show” claims the third position.
Martin Luther King Jr.’s impactful “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered at the 1963 March on Washington, claims the sixth position, aligning with the observance of the MLK holiday.
Academy members engaged in an extensive process of sifting through a myriad of television moments, both factual and fictional, to compose this significant list.
Among the noteworthy fictional moments are Hawkeye’s poignant farewell to B.J. and Korea in the 1983 final episode of M*A*S*H, Linus reciting the nativity story in the 1965 classic “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and the much-debated, cut-to-black final moment of “The Sopranos” from 2007.
While news events dominate the upper echelons of the list, fictional moments from classic TV dramas, comedies, and specials also find their place.
The rankings include a scene from a show nominated in the current year — the last moments of Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett on HBO’s “The Last of Us.”
Offerman, having already won an Emmy for the special episode, contributes to the anticipation surrounding “The Last of Us,” a top nominee alongside “Succession,” “The White Lotus,” and “Ted Lasso.”
The curated list encompasses a diverse array of memorable moments, such as Ellen DeGeneres revealing her sexual orientation on the episode of “Ellen” (No. 13), the notorious “Soup Nazi” episode of “Seinfeld” (No. 27), the debut of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video (No. 48), and Whitney Houston’s iconic Super Bowl “Star Spangled Banner” performance (No. 65).
Additionally, several moments from beloved shows like “Sesame Street” and “Mister Roger’s Neighborhood” contribute to the rich tapestry of television history.
The 75th Emmy Awards, delayed by four months due to Hollywood’s actors and writers strikes, promise to be a star-studded affair, with live broadcasting from Los Angeles starting at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
As the industry gathers to celebrate this milestone, the curated list stands as a testament to the enduring impact of television on culture and society over the past 75 years.