'Raymond': Everybody Loves Ratings
It’s Ray Romano’s summer. His CBS sitcom, “Everybody Loves Raymond” — in reruns — is turning out to be the season’s highest-rated comedy and is the only fictional show in the Nielsen Top 10. Mostly, the list consists of game shows, newsmagazines, and stunt shows. ABC, buttressed by four editions of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” and two newsmagazines in the top 10, won the week overall, with an average of 8.5 million viewers in prime time. CBS and NBC closely followed, with 7.9 million viewers each. Fox had 5.3 million; UPN, 3.1 million; the WB, 2.5 million; and Pax TV, 1.2 million. The Top 10 programs for July 23 to July 29:
1. “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” Thursday,” ABC, 9.3, 9.5 million homes
2. “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” Tuesday, ABC, 9.2, 9.4 million homes
3. “60 Minutes,” CBS, 8.4, 8.5 million homes
4. “Weakest Link,” NBC, 8.3, 8.5 million homes
5. “Fear Factor,” NBC, 8.2, 8.4 million homes
6. (tie) “Everybody Loves Raymond,” CBS, 8.1, 8.3 million homes
6. (tie) “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” Friday, ABC, 8.1, 8.2 million homes
8. (tie) “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” Sunday, ABC, 7.9, 8.1 million homes
8. (tie) “Primetime,” Thursday, ABC, 7.9, 8.1 million homes
10. “20/20,” Friday, ABC, 7.8, 8.0 million homes