In March 1980, the television world was rocked by a cliffhanger that would redefine the medium: J.R. Ewing, the cunning oil baron of Dallas, was shot by an unknown assailant. The episode, titled “A House Divided,” left viewers worldwide in suspense, sparking the iconic question, “Who shot J.R.?”

Larry Hagman, who portrayed J.R., found himself at the center of this media frenzy. Despite the global speculation, Hagman was as much in the dark as the audience. To maintain secrecy, producers filmed multiple characters shooting J.R., ensuring that even the cast remained unaware of the true culprit.

Behind the scenes, Hagman leveraged the situation to renegotiate his contract, reportedly increasing his salary from $15,000 to $100,000 per episode. His portrayal of J.R. had become so integral to the show’s success that producers acquiesced to his demands.

The mystery culminated in the November 1980 episode “Who Done It,” revealing Kristin Shepard, J.R.’s sister-in-law and mistress, as the shooter. The episode drew an estimated 83 million American viewers, making it one of the most-watched television broadcasts in history.

The “Who shot J.R.?” phenomenon transcended television, influencing global pop culture and setting a precedent for future cliffhangers. It demonstrated the power of serialized storytelling and the profound impact a well-crafted narrative can have on audiences worldwide.