NBC Regains Ratings Race, Sinking CBS

NBC was back on top of the ratings race last week with old reliable Perry Mason leading the Sunday movie pack, it was reported today.

CBS, which the previous week held clear title to the No. 1 spot for the first time since June, 1988, was back in the cellar.

On the bright side, the first half of a two-part “Murphy Brown” season finale was in sixth place and “Designing Women” was in seventh.

In the Sunday movie competition, NBC’s “Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer” was in eighth place, equaling the best ranking for an NBC Sunday movie this season--”Blind Faith,” Part 1 on Feb. 5.

“Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase,” Part 1, on ABC tied for 13th, and CBS’ “In The Best Interest of the Child” ranked 36th.

“Wings” on NBC was the top-ranked new show, in 11th place, while the network’s usually high-scoring “Carol & Company” was preempted by a Bob Hope special, which was 28th. ABC’s “Twin Peaks,” which will be back on the schedule next fall, tied for 40th.

ABC’s Monday movie, “Columbo,” which will not return next season, was 20th. “Return to Green Acres” on CBS won its Friday night time period and ranked 35th, while “Hands of a Murderer” on CBS tied for 52nd.

TOP 10 SHOWS

The top 10 regular series for the week ending Sunday, May 20, according to the A.C. Nielsen Co.:

1. Funniest Home Videos (ABC)

2. Cheers (NBC)

3. Roseanne (ABC)

4. The Cosby Show (NBC)

5. A Different World (NBC)

6. Murphy Brown (CBS)

7. Designing Women (CBS)

8. Perry Mason: the Case of the Silenced Singer, NBC Sunday movie

9. L.A. Law (NBC)

10. 60 Minutes (CBS)