Gorbachev a Flop in Ratings

NBC’s exclusive, hourlong interview with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev didn’t impress prime-time television viewers, who were more interested in ABC’s special about a movie stunt man and CBS’s regular comedies.

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., overnight ratings from the 15 largest television markets gave NBC’s “A Conversation With Mikhail S. Gorbachev” a rating of 9.1 and a 13 share. CBS’s comedies “Kate & Allie” and “Frank’s Place” got a combined 16.6 rating and 24 share. But ABC’s special, “The Ultimate Stunt Man: A Tribute to Dar Robinson,” won the time period with a rating of 18.0 and a 26 share.