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

[rhettisha]

I grew to love them even more during this interview; however, I have to admit Kroft, went really easy on them. He spent more on the mother-in-law and the puppy than he did on the cabinet or global warming or the economy or anything else.

[ZimboChick]

I could swear we were watching the same interview. The Prez stated what needed stating and told him that that is all he was getting out of him

[trudem2]

All the syrup in this blog is about to make me sick....NO­BODY is that wonderful.

I think people better pull their heads out of the clouds and remember that Obama is a mortal man with humoungous problems on his plate. He's bound to make mistakes. And, he should be challenged like any other leader. I fear the moment he makes a misstep, people will turn on him like a pack of dogs. And it won't be his fault -- it will be the fault of all those who have these unrealistic expectations.

And, ......as a couple, they're probably quite normal. As Michelle likes to tell us and as he suggested last night, he's human.....­he has morning breath....­.they probably have fights....

We need to try to keep it real...

[Sugar78]

YES, trudem2

let's all be angry and hate our spouses! YAYYY that is the right winged way!

[trudem2]

You are a total fool if that's what you got from I stated.

[TR12]

Relax, we are still in our post election afterglow
let us enjoy it
besides they are pretty awesome
oops there I go again!!

[trudem2]

Yeah....sn­ap out of it!

[grata2ude]

Wow. Where did that come from. They are a cute couple. There is nothing wrong with people admitting they admire how this couple really digs each other not inspite of their "faults" but because of them. That's refreshing and I'm not apologizing to anyone for it.

[trudem2]

It came from reality, not the goo smeared all over this blog.
They're "so cute"...th­ey're "awesome". Tired. And a lie. They're not THAT cute -- and it ain't cuteness that will avert the potential catastrophe facing this country in these times.
Lastly, when Obama demonstrates he's not the world's savior, I won't hold it against him because I knew he couldn't be that anyway.

[ZimboChick]

hmmm someone is not happy with their life. It's ok. Watch more of Barack. Your outlook will be more positive. Stop insulting people by suggesting they are fickle

[partyofone]

Such anger and bitterness. Bill Clinton, is that you?

[trudem2]

Neither Bill or I are angry or bitter as far as I know, and we're no Pollyanna's either.

[1lalady]

I enjoyed the interview with our new president and first lady. Michelle is the bomb.I don't think she was negative at all. That is the way she and President Obama get along and it works for them. It will be so good to see someone with life in the White House for a change. Michelle is a brilliant women just like her husband, so we shouldn't expect another Laura Bush in the white house, walking behind George and giving the silent low speaking tones, afraid to let go.Michell­e has soul and she should show it. So all of you sore losers just find something else to complain about, because that dog don't hunt.

[Sugar78]

1lalady

I agree! Laura doesn't say much of nothing! She let george make a A S S Out of them!

Obviously, Barack want a mate, and not a 3rd child! He loves that his wife has her own mind and opinions! He respect her enough to be silent when she speaks, VICE VERSA for him!
LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL thing! I think that all men should pay this man attention and learn from the best! WOMEN pay attention to Michelle

[bakedalaska2]

I think that George and Laura are a very nice couple (unlike Bush 41 and Barbara). They (GWB/L) do seem to love each other but do not show it so conspicuously and they have survived 8 years in the WH without any scandals-the proof is ALWAYS in the pudding. So I pray the new PE and MO will also be a good example.

[trudem2]

You mean you weren't sharp enough to pick up on Michelle's negativity.
Some of us got it, however.

[Fongenie]

Well I wasn't sharp enough to catch it. What were they discussing and what did she say?

[tangelan]

I think you're alone on this one. I didn't get negativity at all.

[canucklivinginUSA]

Ok, now I know you're on drugs

[StillIRise]

I agree with your earlier post, that we should stay grounded. But that shouldn't mean that we have to look for negativity when none is there. At what point was Michelle negative?

Your pessimism is as imbalanced as the optimism that you're criticizing in others.

[NoSillyName]

No need for that last comment about the football game. I don't watch sports. I do watch the Obamas. And 60 Minutes if there's a topic I'm interested in.

[FebM]

It was not the game, it was another pleasant fix to the cold turkey withdraw symptoms that has been eating on the millions who cant wait for Jan 20th to finally get our pick and get this country moving

[GrkAm]

FebM . . . Absolutely right! This is kind of like withdrawal after the Super Bowl each year in Jan./Feb. We have seen so much on the campaign and after the election, we went into our withdrawal! It was good to see the Obama's and realize the our PE has things well in hand.

[eridees]

You took the words right out of my mouth!

[learnsomething]

I am still on cloud nine. I can't come down. I am so excited about our new president, I am besides myself. I love this family.

[songbird02]

The are very special.

[DotMatrix]

Me too! I am so excited. I wish he could start now. GObama!

[ByersL]

Why must you diminish the Obama's appeal as being tied to some late running football game? Many of us, including my 82 year old parents, watched it in spite of the game, and waited patiently to do so. You people are so cynical!

[BushBites]

Agree: It doesn't even make sense.

Pittsburgh and San Diego: Two Huge Cities whose NFL teams have Big Nationwide Followings.

Not.

[SOUTHERNGIRL63]

My sentiment exactly! Some folks love to ruin a great moment!

[roshni]

That was a weak question for me too. Not everyone likes sports analogies for everything.

[tangelan]

I thought it was cute. His whole face lit up when he answered this question. I could picture tons of goofy men who would have answered the same way. I don't understand the fixation with college ball but it was really funny.

[SignedSealedDelivered]

yeah, michelle had what we black women (or hell, any woman for that matter:-) call a "'tude" she was really negative. BUT, she keeps it real and that is what i like. also, WTF!!! why did the interviewer compare obama's mother in law to his new dog?

[ByersL]

I didn't think she had a "tude" of any kind.

[BushBites]

She seemed like she was trying to give him a hard time a little too much.

Like when he talked about not being able to take a walk and she said something like "Oh, you never take walks.....­." or whatever.

Nothing major, but it was kind of distracting.

I heard that from a couple Obama Supporters today and I agreed.

[trudem2]

I sense Michelle likes to be "up front"....­.she takes control, she must be in charge and be noticed.

There were times I felt better she should have sat back and let Obama "shine".
(He was elected -- she's along for the ride.)

Mark my words, this will become an issue over the next few years.

[mdmpo]

I didn't think he compared his mother-in-law to the new dog. He just said both would be moving in or something like that.

[NoSillyName]

Guess we were watching a different show.

[Chicago23]

I am black woman also and I did not see that Michelle had a attitude. I felt they were natural with each other poking fun. I do not want them to become self-conscious about there interaction. I for one do not want another stepford wife in the office. She was great and he showed her a great level of respect.

[learnsomething]

Well said.

[songbird02]

She's classy, well educated, poised and confident.­.. She is awesome!

[altovuelo]

Their interactions have nothing to do with race. I'm a white guy. My wife is strong, smart and independent, just like Michelle. We interact with each other very much as Barack and Michelle do. For us, watching them was delightful, entertaining and an incredible breath of fresh air. Every time I see them, I am giddy with disbelief that we actually elected someone who is this smart, funny and competent. And yes, black. I keep pinching myself, and I'm very glad that I have not yet been awakened from this very pleasant dream.

Barack is the first person to admit that he will not be a perfect president. He will also be the first president in a long time to admit when he makes a mistake, and who will tell us what he's learned.

How incredibly refreshing. And what a relief from the surreal nightmare that we've lived the past 8 years.

[DrThink]

"SignedSea­ledDeliver­ed" : Nicely veiled insult ! YOu're probably just some r @ c i s t hat er who'll accuse her of anything just to justify the way you feel about her. WHAT on earth did she say that was negative???.

[SignedSealedDelivered]

no, a-hollle..­.i am black, an hbcu graduate and an aka...i just know tude when i see it, damnn. what's w/ u? whatever..­i like the sistah get over yourself.

[NotMcCain]

I loved the interview but was sad to get the impression of "loneliness at the top" and the "burden of command" already seeming to weigh Obama down.

I'm glad he's surrounding himself with both family and extended family in the WH (his inner circle of advisers, and many close friends). But I feel he's giving up a lot more that matters to him in his personal life to do this than most presidents have.

Just a feeling, but he -did- seem more care-worn than a year ago (Of course, unlike the current president, he understands and cares about the enormity of our problems.)

I'm sure he knows how much we thank him for taking on this really AWFUL job.

[timm]

Well, obama essentially fought TWO all-out tiring campaigns. Hillary and mccain. The guys been through political hell.

[viewfromuphere]

look at it this way.....it­'s four to eight years.....­.and he'll still be a youngish man when he's done.

everything is trade offs....

[DeloresT]

I wasn't watching that football game. I was reading a book and patiently waitng for the game to end and the Obamas to begin. The interview was terrific. Don't forget to pray for them. Palin/McCain and Limbaugh have incited the kooks to come after him. They still need our prayers.

[RiggsMD]

It was very good to see president Obama check the interviewer about the mother-in-law/dog thing. Michelle somewhat disappointed me with a few of her comments to Obama.

[NotMcCain]

Yes, to both. (And I think sometimes he wanted some compliments from her -- and the girls-- but instead they give little digs. Affectionately intended, but digs all the same. I thought she could have been more positive).

[Bella37]

Get over it, she is not the passive wife. Yall ar a bunch of cry babies. "michelle did complaint her husband on tv" boohoo.

[NoSillyName]

What's with the negative comments? I did not see Mrs.Obama being negative; I saw a very loving couple. The Obama's are fabulous!

[Fongenie]

Geez, does Barack need a protecter? First of all, it's not digs all the time. You obviously haven't seen them enough to say that. In fact, some columnists have complained that she praises her husband too much. So it's very difficult to find that balance for the public viewers such as yourself. Secondly, except for the teasing (which was non-harmful), Michelle was nothing but positive about her family, the big move, her new role, and the political process. And lastly, you have no idea what goes on in their relationship. For all you know, he could have encouraged her beforehand to not hold back so we could see a genuine couple. If it bothered him so much she would've stopped or they wouldn't have been together so long. Stop being so judgmental to that which you don't know.

[Fongenie]

Oops, I thought you said "all the time." Sorry. But you get the point.

[Rictracee]

alright Barack delivers the ratings !!!..

[Dodge]

If you look up the word "CLASS" in the dictionary,
you will see a picture of Barack and Mrs. Obama

[Jules2004]

second that.

[Rictracee]

third it!!

[Maggy Hawk]

I thought of that word, too: "Class." I fell in love with both of them all over again. How often do you see a politician who doesn't have a filter between himself and the people he's talking to? He didn't spout silly platitudes. He thought about his answers and told us what he thought - except for a few places he wouldn't go. And Michelle was lovely, humorous and truthful. I've never in my life seen anything like these two, and I was five when I saw John F. Kennedy. There's a respect and love they have for each other that comes through. Genuine. Authentic. The class of any field.

[Jules2004]

No... I watched to see Michelle and Obama. Not because there was some upcoming football game.

[sklfcats]

I actually found watching paint dry was way more fun !

[amistad]

Which proves your own ign0rance.

[Dewtrell]

Jealous much!

[ByersL]

Well aren't you special?

[Rictracee]

well millions of others didnt' so next time they on TV don't watch its that simple.. but you can't help yourself

[rcwblessed]

Your attitude is your loss!