SHORT TAKES : NBC Wins Ratings War as CBS ‘Grand Slam’s to Nielsen Bottom

NBC won the Nielsen ratings race for the 84th week out of the last 85, with help from David Letterman, Art Carney and a “Lethal Weapon,” it was reported today.

NBC was the most-watched network on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, with ABC taking Tuesday and Friday and CBS holding onto Sunday, despite some strong counter-programming.

In the odd couple department, the two most-watched programs on network television Sunday night were “60 Minutes” (CBS) in fifth place and “America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC) in seventh place.

Among the Sunday movies, NBC’s airing of the theatrical cop film, “Lethal Weapon,” was the winner in 12th place, with ABC taking 19th place in the movie time period with the “Sammy Davis Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration.” The first installment of the CBS miniseries “Family of Spies” ranked 28th.

There was good news and disaster for CBS in the new series department. “City,” starring Valerie Harper, tied for 35th with its lead-in, “Major Dad,” coming in ahead of “The Hogan Family” (NBC), in 37th. “The Hogan Family” used to be called “Valerie” after its original star, Harper.

The disaster was “Grand Slam,” which had ranked 15th when it was introduced in a special premiere after the Super Bowl the previous week. Last week, in its regular Wednesday time slot, it plummeted to a tie for 68th.

TOP 10 SHOWS Here are the ratings for national prime-time television Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 as compiled by the A. C. Nielsen Co.

Program (Network): Rating

1. Roseanne (ABC): 24.1

2. Cheers (NBC): 22.7

3. The Cosby Show (NBC): 22.4

4. The Golden Girls (NBC): 21.5

5. 60 Minutes (CBS): 21.3

6. Empty Nest (NBC): 20.0

7. Funniest Home Videos (ABC): 19.8

8. The Wonder Years (ABC): 19.2

9. Coach (ABC): 18.8

10. Unsolved Mysteries (NBC): 18.7