Barack & Michelle Obama Give "60 Minutes" Largest Viewership Since 1999

NEW YORK — The campaign is over, but Barack Obama is still a TV hit.

CBS' "60 Minutes" had its highest overnight ratings in nearly a decade with Sunday's episode featuring Steve Kroft interviewing the president-elect and future first lady. Nielsen Media Research's preliminary estimate the show was seen by 24.5 million people on Sunday.

That's more than any other episode of a prime-time show seen this season, and the biggest audience for "60 Minutes" since January 1999.

Sunday's "60 Minutes" was likely helped by being immediately preceded by a down-to-the-wire NFL game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers.

Comments

[Rosey]

This is a NEW BEGINNING for us all. I feel so relieved..... No more Bush-whacking from the right!

[sepiasiren]

I know Obama is human is going to make some mistakes, but there is something very just--real and kewl about him--I hope he will get another 4 years...

[iPolitics]

But what I don't wanna do is get bottled up in a lot of ideology and is this conservative or liberal. My interest is finding something that works.

And whether it's coming from FDR or it's coming from Ronald Reagan, if the idea is right for the times then we're gonna apply it. And things that don't work we're gonna get rid of.

Obama, 60 Minutes.

Change we can believe in.

[rkfdred]

Watching 60 minutes last night gave me a calming feeling. While the interview may be considered by some to be a "soft ball" I think it was just what we needed. We've seen Barack on the campaign trail and were impressed, we've listened to his speeches and were impressed and now we see him as a husband, father and as a regular guy and we are still impressed. I could have watched them for another hour. The interview was inciteful and pleasant. The respect and love that showed through was astonishing and definitely not fake. I think they are the perfect first family for this time. When I watched them I didn't see a white or African American family. I saw a couple that was just like me (I am 62 and white by the way). I can't wait to see the progress we are going to make and I'm proud that America got it right.

[PoorRussianBoy]

This is a new day indeed!

Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf19H_sHMro&fmt=6

[StevieRae]

We're entering a very dark storm with this downward economic spiral, some are already in it.

It is so important to have a leader during this times who can talk to you (via TV or radio) and treat you like an adult. Someone who will give us the facts, talk about the options and explain why he chosen a particular course. Obama is certainly what we need NOW to truly help people overcome fear and help get us through this abyss.

[bosshogg]

'According To Jim" tv show with have the Obamas on to help them with their ratings...­..........­..

[citadelgrrl05]

LOL!! THAT IS FUNNY

[nextpres08]

Are the Obamas the cutest couple or what? You can't fake that kind of love and admiration for one another. You can also tell that they like to have fun with each other. Things don't always have to be serious. That was a really great interview.

Can you imagine if they were interviewing the McCains instead? It would have SU CKED!!!

[murphysgirl]

I loved the part when Barack and Michelle were talking about the hole in his car. I couldn't stop laughing trying to visualize riding in someone's car with a hole in the bottom of it. She really loved him!!

[TheGuide]

For real!

[nextpres08]

That part was funny as he ll! I know what that's like from experience...not fun and I didn't marry my guy.

[hapiday]

THEINSULTE­DANDINJURE­D needs to say what he/she really means. Don't hold back.

[hapiday]

I enjoyed the part where he talked about what he was going to miss. Which was being able to just take a walk, getting his hair cut and going to his friends gym to work out. I could feel his sadness. Because life will never be the same again. PE Obama did said he wasn't complaining but he was going to miss those things. Sometimes it's more important to men than women to be able to just get away to think. Hopefully, PE Obama will be able to find his quiet space to get away. I wish the Obamas well in getting use to their home for the next four years. We all have to be patient and not be too critical of his 1st year because it's not going to be easy. We can criticize, but we must also prioritize what is really important for ourselves and this country.

[mamamay]

I am so happy for the new President Elect,Obama, and First Lady, Michelle, who will be bringing their two daughters to the White House along with what I understand their Gramma Marian Robinson. Wow This is happiness. This is America. I still remember the time my grandmother came to live with us. We learned so much more.. besides Mama and Daddy's way. Lift up your heads oh ye Gates. We will resume family ties the old American way. Gramma's rock. Gramma's make it happen for the entire family. I know, I am a gramma. I am 70+ and I wish the Obama household Love, Peace, Joy, and Prosperity for these next 8 years and years to come. Yes, Sister Marian Robinson will become the GRAMMA EMERITUS of all times. The Young folks of Ameica will learn how to bond and form ties with their families as in yesteryear, that's needed to make our families beam via love that supercedes that love that permeates all atmosphere.. This will cut the Economic Crisis. Gramma's teach how to use one's hands to do,to create, and recreate with out excessive spending.REMEMBER?
Gramma's teach how to read, memorize, and recite which enhances REMEMBERING. We extend love to All, for including Mother Marian in their journey to the White House for the family & Sasia and Melia's comfort. Oh what a Family this will be, built on love, and magnified for us all see and to enjoy.

[HillaryGoAway]

They have the "we've been catching up on nookie" vibe. If so, good for them .

[seereene1]

He, he, he! Did you get that vibe too..I thought it was just me.

[nicolar]

I can't stop thinking about the part of the conversation where Michelle and Barack are bantering and Barack says, sort of sadly, "I'd like to to be able to take you for a walk sometime."

So sweet and real. Both of them. Can't get enough of them.

[liseworks]

That's love - it's subtle & it's comfortable. These 2 are living examples of a great relationship -

[Fongenie]

It was in a sad, nostalgic and sort of sexy way. *sigh* Barack's so mackadocious.

[thinkverybig]

It is my goal to get in touch with someone from the Obama campaign and share with them my desire to be a part of his inauguration by reciting a poem I wrote called “We Must Change,” and I kindly ask for your help in doing so.
Go to youtube and do a search for "thinkverybig" and watch all of those videos. The one called "We Must Change" would be fitting to recite at Obama's Inauguration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM58nqX1ehE

Here are the words! http://www.thinkverybig.com/We%20Must%20Change.htm

“Makes Me Wanna Cry” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0iAQN7VPY