BY THE NUMBERS

Nielsen ratings of Johnny Carson’s competitors: “The Joey Bishop Show” (ABC, 1968-69 average) 4.0

“The Dick Cavett Show” (ABC, 1971-72) 3.6

“The Merv Griffin Show” (CBS, 1971-72) 4.4

“The Late Show” (Fox Broadcasting, 1986-87) 3.2

Nielsen ratings of Johnny Carson’s “The Tonight Show”: 1968-69 7.4

1971-72 7.8

1986-87 7.1

(Note: in 1968-69, one Nielsens rating point equaled 582,500 homes; in 1971-72, one point equaled 620,000 homes; and in 1986-87, one point equaled 874,000 homes.)

Source: A.C. Nielsen Media Research