TV RATINGS : Perry Mason Wins Another One

Forget the “L.A. Law” crew. America’s favorite lawyer is still Perry Mason. NBC’s latest courtroom movie with Raymond Burr, “The Case of the Lady in the Lake,” was seen in more than 20 million homes Sunday night. That showing, combined with strong ratings for ABC’s telecast of “Beverly Hills Cop,” helped ground Part 1 of CBS’ miniseries about pioneer aviator Beryl Markham, which ranked 46th among the week’s 66 prime-time programs. NBC won the week with a 14.7 average, compared to 12.8 for ABC and 11.4 for CBS. (Each ratings point is said by the A.C. Nielsen Co. to represent 886,000 households.)

* Not even Rocky Balboa could help CBS last week. “Rocky IV” on Wednesday night finished a meager 37th in the ratings, thoroughly thumped by ABC’s “Barbara Walters Special” and “China Beach,” which ranked No. 5 and No. 24, respectively. Please see Page 10 for the full list of Nielsen ratings.

Show Points Share 1. Perry Mason/The Lady in the Lake 22.6 35 NBC Sunday Night Movie 2. The Cosby Show 21.7 40 (NBC) (repeat) 3. Cheers 20.3 35 (NBC) (repeat) 4. Beverly Hills Cop 20.3 32 ABC Sunday Night Movie 5. Barbara Walters Special 20.0 32 (ABC) (special) * Rocky IV 11.2 18 (CBS) (special movie)