One of the most iconic and enduring aspects of "Dallas" was the 1980 cliffhanger episode, "A House Divided," which ended with J.R. Ewing being shot by an unknown assailant. The episode's finale sparked a global phenomenon, with millions of viewers worldwide tuning in to find out "Who Shot J.R.?" The mystery surrounding J.R.'s shooting dominated headlines and sparked a cultural frenzy, with the answer finally revealed in the 1980 season premiere.