Nostalgia Helps CBS in Sweeps

Prime time brimmed with nostalgia last week, as 30-year-old properties provided key ratings bookends: CBS’ special “The Carol Burnett Show: Show Stoppers” gave that network a strong finishing kick in the November sweeps race, while a new version of “Brian’s Song” boosted ABC’s “Wonderful World of Disney,” based on viewing estimates issued Tuesday by Nielsen Media Research.

Tune-in for “Brian’s Song” helped ABC’s “Alias,” which immediately followed the movie Sunday, score its highest rating in seven weeks--easily surpassing Fox’s ailing “The X-Files.”

In addition to the blockbuster “Burnett” numbers, CBS’ Monday comedies each achieved record viewing levels, led by “Everybody Loves Raymond.” With most of NBC’s Thursday lineup in reruns and the miniseries “Jack and the Beanstalk” climbing to respectable heights, CBS ranked first in overall viewing for the fifth time in six weeks. As for other sweeps stunts, a celebrity edition of “Fear Factor” scared up plenty of viewers for NBC Tuesday, more than doubling the network’s time-period average with “Emeril” and “Three Sisters.”

Fox’s new sitcom “The Bernie Mac Show” also bolstered its hit credentials, winning its time slot among viewers under 35 versus “The West Wing.” ABC, meanwhile, enjoyed a few bright spots beyond “Brian’s Song,” including “Monday Night Football’s” biggest audience this season.

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Tabular Data Not Included

Brian Lowry