Cher Delivers Powerful Nielsen Numbers

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday April 16, 2003 01:20 PM EDT

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"CSI: Crime Scene Investigation"'s popularity isn't news. The CBS show has consistently come in at No. 1 in the Nielsen ratings.

But who would have guessed the drawing power of Cher?

The 56-year-old diva and her many costumes ended up in last week's Top 10 -- as her "Farewell Tour" special proved so successful that some critics are suggesting that the entertainer might consider saying farewell again. The NBC program pulled in 16.6 million viewers, easily topping recent concert specials by Britney Spears, Celine Dion and Faith Hill.

Still, Cher was no match for the Cher-wannabes on FOX's "American Idol." The talent hunt filled the Nielsen slots right after "CSI" -- and also helped boost the shows that followed it.

Although not in the Top 10, "The Bernie Mac Show" came in 13th, with 12.9 million viewers; "Wanda at Large," 15th place, with 12.1 million; and "24," 23rd place, 11.7 million.

Overall, CBS won the week thanks to "CSI," "Survivor" and its coverage of the NCAA men's basketball championship.

For the week of April 7-13, the Top 10 shows were as follows:

1. "CSI," CBS, 26.4 million viewers
2. "American Idol," Tuesday, FOX, 20.1 million
3. "American Idol," Wednesday, FOX, 19.2 million
4. "Survivor: Amazon," CBS, 19.1 million
5. NCAA Basketball Championships, CBS, 18.6 million
6. "Without a Trace," CBS, 17.5 million
7. "Cher: Farewell Tour," NBC, 16.6 million
8. "Friends," NBC, 15 million
9. "Prelude to a Championship," CBS, 14.1 million
10. "Law & Order SVU," NBC, 13.8 million