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

[sunny555]

Count me in as a viewer who doesn't normally watch 60 minutes, but tuned in to see the Obamas. I am in LOVE with these people! We are so lucky to have such a quality family like this in the White House. Not only am I grateful Obama wanted to serve his country as president (it's not my idea of a dream job, especially with all the problems we face right now), but I'm happy that the good people of America were smart enough to elect him (the best people don't always finish first, unfortunately).

Looking forward to four good years. Problems, yes, but at least we have a real leader at the helm.

[Hare]

As he was speaking in complete and intelligent sentences I couldn't help but compared him to Bush and his black and white two word rambling ultimatums.

[veteran1964]

I wonder if Sarah Palin watched it and was trying to learn new English words and phrases...­...Maybe she will be able to create a single sentence that makes sense.

[qdog112]

Yew Betcha! Wink wink

[roshni]

Sarah Palin does not have the curiosity or the intelligence to educate herself about anything.

[nextpres08]

Don't count on it. I think she's comfortable with and, there, too and u betcha.

[erincnyc]

Damn that Barack. Damn that Michelle. I had finally gotten over my crying jigs until I watched that interview. What warm, witty, sincere people. They will be my leaders? They will be our country's face to the world? It is too good to be true. *pinching self*

[wrenny]

Good grief! Isn't it pathetic that we've been living with such unintelligent and despicable leadership for so long that we find ourselves reacting like this over good and intelligent people instead of just assuming that's who could/should/would end up in the highest office?

[AnAmericanWoman]

That is: It made me feel so very proud to have him as our POTUS - and for me as a citizen of the greatest country on earth.

[jaleh]

ditto!

[shanester]

I Think CANADA is a better place to live but I'm am so glad the Obama's represent America. They will restore your respect and reputation around the world.

They are both classy indviduals­..and smart as hell!!

[AnAmericanWoman]

This is the best interview I have ever seen. I made me feel so proud. He is good - and Michelle was perfect.

[tahoegal]

The Obamas were simply awesome! Their love for each other and their daughters is so evident. How great it will be to have a family in the White House that is intelligent, young, energetic and ethical. We are very fortunate indeed.

[yhgtup]

I love this family!! I'm still laughing about President-elect Barack Obama telling Steve Kroft "I don't tell my mother-in-law what to do. I''m not stupid, man, that's how I became president". Hillarious!!

[psbintl]

My husband laughed heartedly at that response from President Elect Obama too! Being a man he completely understood where he was coming from!

Actually we both laughed!

[flifishun]

Great interview.

[Lahonda]

Man... it is so refreshing to see leadership role models of this class for America's youth. This family represents true change at a cultural level. Reality TV... meet Reality.

[alicetilden]

My watching was not helped by 60 Minutes being preceded by a football game. I had to keep checking to see if the game was over to make sure I saw the interview. So, my viewing was in spite of the game running over. I do not miss an interview with my new President-elect. These days are too exciting to miss any of it.

[DreamEmbraced]

Ditto...

[kotipup]

Me, neither. I had dinner with my mom on Sunday, and had made sure to TIVO 60 minutes. I was frustrated to learn that only about half the show ended up being recorded. Darned football ;) Thankfully, I was able to watch it online. I might watch it again, it was such a great interview. I love the fact that Obama actually listens to the question, thinks about it and answers (and if he doesn't want to answer he just says so, instead of dancing around the question without answering it). It seems so simple, and Obama makes it look easy, but very few people are skilled enough communicators to pull that off.

[hudsuckerproxy]

I love the charming banter between Barack and Michelle, and their obvious devotion to their kids. Now THAT is family values.

[ModeratePoliticalJunkie]

I was a bit shocked that Obama was living in that rat hoteldorm room apt. but it just shows he is pretty frugal and down to earth. Michelle refused to stay there...it must have been located in Capitol Hieghts...­LOL!

[sandiegoGuy]

I don't know where Steve was going with the grandmother's "moving-in" issue but Obama sure put him in place, especially with the "dog" comparison ... it was quite awkward. I, personally, do not believe that a seasoned journalist such as him would not have been able to put the question more diplomatically .. I don't know ... perhaps he couldn't help himself . That's how I read it.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

valid, President-elect Obama knows how to respect the ladies in his life, as well as all the others.

[flifishun]

He turned around perfectly on Steve.

[Matt7]

The comment could have been "innocent" enough; but we've gotten into the habit of over-analyzing and parsing words, and of d*mning by association. The question had already been asked and answered. Steve was going for an easy soundbite. (Fortunately, Obama's seen enough of those land m*nes in his quest for the presidency over the past two years, to side-step this one.)

[ModeratePoliticalJunkie]

Michelle had way too much makeup on her face....a nit spooky to me. She looks best natural to me.

[MadeinAmericaProud]

You are way to close to the big screen TV. Recommend only viewing a smaller screen like 9",13" no bigger than 20".

How much makeup anyone use does not nor will it ever take a human's life or deprive anyone from being happy in life.

[CinciKid]

It is the make up artist. I am sure she did not put that on.

[heal57]

I don't so, I thought she looked great. Her lipstick went really nice with the purple dress she was wearing. The interview was fabulous, and I am finally a proud Amrican again!

[sunny555]

Her makeup was perfect, not too much at all. If you want to see "too much," tune to Fox for a comparison of their "anchors" (I use that word loosely)

[Fongenie]

It was the lighting.

[agpaul]

I did NOT VOTE FOR HIM.

But Im pround to have him as my president!

[samanthemofthesun]

Thank you. I am positive you will not regret your pride.

[thos]

Agreed!

[Moka11]

A beautiful and honest thing to say.

[DreamEmbraced]

REAL change is in the air...

[roshni]

That works for me. Just give him an honest chance and he will do a good job for everyone.

[WowJones]

I was trying to imagine Sarah and Todd doing this same interview, but my head starting spinning from the thought of all the lousy syntax, run on sentences to Nowhere and the aw shucks Alaskan-Valley GirlSpeak.

[thos]

Get over it. You sound a bit like a bigot! Imagine for a second that Obama had a syntax that didn't jibe with what you're used to hearing. Would you feel even remotely comfortable treating him like you're treating Palin?

[canucklivinginUSA]

Wrenny was talking about BOOSH, not Obama, get over yourself

[sandiegoGuy]

... or DubyaSpeak. Now I don't have to cringe and feel embarrassed anymore when the President of the US opens his mouth.

[wrenny]

Isn't that the truth! I was in Europe a couple of years ago, and actually thought of making and wearing a pin that would say, "I didn't vote for him!"

[buster85]

I really liked the part about the rusted out floor in Barack's car. I guess it connected bacause I also had a car with holes in the floor. Looks like we have "real people"in the White House.

[whit4brains]

Me too. My first car had a big rusted hole in the bottom and when I drove thru a puddle water would splash all up inside the car. Man, I loved that car!

[Chuckwheat]

I had a couple of rust-buckets also. None of my girlfriends were in it for the money,
either.
I'm more impressed with the Obamas every time I see them; very well-rounded, comfortable with tmeselves and the media. And attractive.
Plenty there for the haters to gnash their teeth over, poor losers.

[Serious Lee]

I had a boyfriend with the rusted floor in his car. (Early 80's)

Why is the hole always on the passenger side?