Although media writers filed reams of copy last week discussing the declining audience for ABC's Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, a celebrity version of the game show on Sunday night wound up in second place on the Nielsen ratings list and a regular Wednesday edition in third, putting ABC in a tie with NBC as the most-watched networks.

Each network scored a 9.3 rating and a 15 share, while CBS finished with an 8.3/13, followed by Fox with a 5.9/9. NBC placed five shows in the top ten -- four Thursday-night Must See TV offerings plus Wednesday night's The West Wing. CBS had only one show in the top ten, the comedy Everybody Loves Raymond.


The top ten shows of the week according to Nielsen Research:
1. E.R. NBC, 18.7/30; 2. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Sunday), ABC, 16.0/22; 3. Millionaire (Wednesday), ABC, 14.7/22; 4. NFL Monday Night Football, ABC, 14.6/25; 5. Friends, NBC, 14.5/22; 6. Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS, 13.3/19; 7. The Practice, ABC, 13.2/210.; 8. Law and Order, NBC, 12.6/20; 9. West Wing, NBC, 12.3/18; 10. Will & Grace, NBC, 12.2/18.

Source: Studio Briefing