It's been 26 years since a network dominated prime time like NBC dominates it today.
Back in 1962-63, CBS rattled off 46 consecutive weeks as the top-rated network on the strength of a comedy-oriented line-up that included "The Beverly Hillbillies," "Candid Camera," "The Red Skelton Show" and "The Lucy Show."Last week NBC topped CBS's record, racking up its 47th consecutive ratings win on the strength of - what else? - a comedy-oriented line-up that includes "The Cosby Show," "Family Ties," "The Golden Girls" and "Cheers."
And NBC set the new mark in typically dominating fashion, winning every night but one and placing all of the week's 11 highest-rated shows - the first time that's happened since ABC aired "Roots: The Second Generation" in 1979. NBC also had 15 of the top 20 shows.
"Family Ties" led NBC's assault on the record books. The series presented its final episode Sunday night, and fans rewarded an illustrious prime time career by making it the week's most-watched program.
By contrast, ABC's "Moonlighting" also presented its series finale Sunday night. It finished in 70th place - third from the bottom.
Obviously, "War and Remembrance," which was able to place only the series conclusion in the week's top 20, was no match for the NBC juggernaut. In fact, the only obstacle in the network's immediate future is CBS's coverage of the NBA Finals in June, which could pose a serious threat to the Peacock - especially if a combination of major markets like Los Angeles and New York or Chicago are involved.
Otherwise, look for NBC to extend its winning streak through the summer and into the new fall season - and beyond.
The top 10 programs for the record-setting week were: 1. Family Ties (NBC); 2. Golden Girls (NBC); 3. The Cosby Show (NBC); 4. Monday Night Movie: Top Gun (NBC); 5. Jackee (NBC); 6. Cheers (NBC); 7. In the Heat of the Night (NBC); 8. Unsolved Mysteries (NBC); 9. L.A. Law (NBC); and 10. Hunter (NBC).
The second 10 consisted of: 11. Sunday Night Movie: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (NBC); 12. Wonder Years (ABC); 13. Dear John (NBC) and Cheers Special (NBC); 15. Who's the Boss? (ABC); 16. Matlock (NBC); 17. Knots Landing (CBS); 18. 60 Minutes (CBS) and War and Remembrance, Part 12 (ABC); and 20. Night Court (NBC).
The week's big losers (not counting Fox and Pamela Tudsbury Henry) were: 66. Kareem Abdul-Jabar Special (NBC); 69. Incredible Sunday (ABC); 70. Moonlighting (ABC); 71. A Man Called Hawk (ABC); and 72. The Jim Henson Hour (NBC).
-ON TV TONIGHT: So I get this key with the number 3142 on it in the mail from the producers of CBS's Knots Landing (8 p.m., Ch. 5) along with a note that reads, "If you get this key you were right about `Knots Landing.' " What was I right about? And what does it all have to do with tonight's two-hour season-ending episode? Does it have to do with Abby's surprise announcement? Or Paige's warning about Greg? Or Mack's trip into the mountains with Karen and Paula? Who knows? We'll have to see tonight.
Have you ever wondered what the world will be like 50 years from now? So has ABC News. And the result of their futuristic musings can be seen tonight in The Electronic Time Machine (9 p.m., Ch. 4), an hour special hosted by Forrest Sawyer and Paula Zahn that forecasts everyday life in the year 2039. Would you believe solar-powered cars? And Robots to perform domestic chores? And human bionics that would make Lee Majors and Lindsay Wagner rust with envy? You'll be amazed at the possibilities - and at how close we already are to some of these advances.
Oh, and don't forget: Donny Osmond gets the star treatment on The Arsenio Hall Show (11 p.m., Ch. 13).
Elsewhere, The Cosby Show (7 p.m., Ch. 2) repeats the funny episode in which the twins are born; ABC's "Family Classics Theater" presents the original The Parent Trap (7 p.m., Ch. 4) with Hayley Mills, Brian Keith and Maureen O'Hara; 48 Hours (7 p.m., Ch. 5) reports on cult deprogramming; and L.A. Law (9 p.m., Ch. 2) deals with a confrontational talk show host (if you've never seen Morton Downey Jr. in action take a look at this guy; he's close - albeit substantially more civilized and less sleazy).
Looking Toward Friday: Beauty and the Beast (7 p.m., Ch. 5) gears up for next week's season finale, while Dallas (8 p.m., Ch. 5) and Falcon Crest (9 p.m., Ch. 5) present their season-ending episodes; and Tommy Tune, Sandman Sims and Hinton Battle gather for Gregory Hines' Tap Dance in America (8:30 p.m., Ch. 7) on "Great Performances."