Hillary Clinton Visit Boosts Letterman's Ratings
Tue June 17, 2003 09:31 PM ET
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sen. Hillary Clinton proved to be a big draw for CBS "Late Show" host David Letterman, helping him to a rare ratings victory over NBC late-night rival Jay Leno.
Monday night's broadcast, marking the former first lady's fifth "Late Show" appearance, notched the show's highest ratings since Letterman returned from a monthlong illness on March 31, according to Nielsen Media Research figures from the nation's 55 largest TV markets.
It was only the third time this season that Letterman bested NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in overall ratings -- the first two occasions being Letterman's March 31 return from shingles and the Feb. 17 appearance of self-help guru Dr. Phil McGraw.
With Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens also a guest, viewership was particularly high in New York City, where Letterman topped California-based Leno by 75 percent.
An interview with Clinton on Jan. 12, 2000, just before she declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate and days before Letterman's open-heart surgery, proved to be one of the highest-rated "Late Show" episodes ever.
Mrs. Clinton used her appearance to promote her newly published memoir, "Living History," The book provides the ultimate insider's account of the turbulent presidency of her husband, Bill Clinton.
Winding up Monday night's interview, Letterman asked Clinton, "Does it bother you that people like me still make fun of your husband?"
She answered: "Well, one of the reasons I came on your show is I didn't know you did that," to which Letterman gamely replied, "Oh, so you're not watching the show." |
