TV RATINGS : ‘Cosby’ Rerun Tops Ratings

“The Cosby Show” was back on top of the national Nielsen ratings Tuesday, even though last week’s episode was a repeat of one that had aired just two months earlier. But reruns seemed to be in favor, as Barbara Walters’ 50th special on ABC, featuring highlights of the previous 49, finished close on the heels of “Cosby.” NBC handily won the network race to retain its front-runner status in the season-to-date ratings, with ABC second and CBS third. The full list of last week’s ratings is on Page 8.

* Ratings for “Dallas,” once the nation’s most popular TV series, are down more than 7% this season compared to its average last year, but the 10-year-old CBS soap opera continues to win its time slot on Fridays at 9 p.m.

Show Points Share 1. “The Cosby Show” 26.7 42 (NBC) (repeat) 2. Barbara Walters Special 24.9 38 (ABC) 3. “A Different World” 23.8 37 (NBC) 4. “Cheers” 22.6 35 (NBC) (repeat) 5. “The Golden Girls” 22.5 38 (NBC) * “Dallas” 15.8 27 (CBS)