Diane Sawyer's Rihanna Interview Brings "20/20" Huge Ratings

Diane Sawyer's interview of Rihanna on Friday's "20/20" was a ratings hit and enough to lift ABC to first in the Adults 18-49 demographic for the night.

"20/20" averaged 8.2 million total viewers — its biggest audience in over 7 months — and garnered a 2.7 A18-49 rating (9 share). Also, its 2.7 A14-34 rating was the show's best since December 2006. The show also added 3.4 million total viewers from its lead-in.

The New York Post called Sawyer's Rihanna interview "what may be one of the last, big-time celeb rity interviews she does before taking over as anchor of ABC's evening newscast."

Comments

[talkingdog]

I'm SO glad I missed this!
Diane,......please go away!!!

[ladydragon]

I re-post what I previously said:
I did not watch the interview, I would not be moved by Rihanna's crocadile tears. Rihanna has taken no responsibility in this unfortunate incident, and the perception of her still remains. Twice she mentioned her corporate sponsors so there was monetary incentive for this interview, that made me think she had ulterior motives for speaking out at this time.

[mbroo]

The GMA interview was Friday. She did a interview yesterday to promote the new cd.

[tlgeiger62]

Not to mention the new CD coming out - I agree with you 100%. I didn't see it and have no desire to see her anywhere anytime soon.

[oceanlover]

What impressed me most about Rihanna in the interview with Diane was how thoughtfully she spoke. For someone of her age, let alone anybody, she showed herself to be someone with great intellect, compassion, understanding, strength of character, faith and forgiveness. What more could Chris Brown or any of her fans ask for? She is not only beautiful in the physical sense, but far more importantly, she is beautiful in the emotional and spiritual sense. She's an amazing lady.

[worldviewer]

agreed.

but beauty aside, she is still overrated as a performer and recording artist.

[mbroo]

It was scripted!

[tlgeiger62]

And she loves to wear provocative clothing and shock people. She is all about self-promotion, nothing more. You are giving her way too much credit. Her acting abilities have improved. That is what impressed you. Just wait...it's just a matter of time until she "trys her hand at acting".

[hwoodude]

Rihanna? Big time celebrity? Huh? What universe would that be in?

[Balzac]

Rihanna looks great. Regardless, I'd like to see her try a short afro next.

[lukebenward]

This would have felt actually genuine if it hadn't come on the cusp of a new album. If she couldn't do it right after the b e a t down, fine, I can understand that.... but doing it now? Just tacky and proof she's not the role model for other young ladies to go by. I know she never asked to be one, but it happened and choosing this time to do it is soooo glaringly obvious. I never watched, but if Diane uttered ONE word of a plug ("...And BTW, Rihanna has a new album coming out. It will be in stores on [blank date]."), then you might as well be L O S E R Deb Norville on 'Inside Edition' doing fluff stories like overweight pets and Jim Carrey/Cameron Diaz dinner sightings.

[balancedsolution]

in 10-20 years she'll look back at that hair style and cringe.

i'm cringing now!

[lukebenward]

I think they cringed back in 1987 when Roxette made it famous and are cringing that it would exist beyond December 31st, 1989. I mean, singer Pink, brought an essence of the 80's, but this look by Robin is like dousing yourself in it and setting yourself on fire!

[THE JEDI 69]

CHris Brown shouldn't have hit her..aight but if she keeps punching me ion the face after a while your gonna hit back..dude should have just this litle girl alone.....men get abused by women a lot..and it's never reported or if the guy does he's weak..will if it's a man or a women and you get hit inthe eye with a knuckle it hurts......with her phony self

[SeaShell226]

Agreed. My parents taught me that a man should not hit a female.
They ALSO taught me that a woman should not hit a man and not expect to be hit back...

Only hearing one side of things leaves me still with an open mind for Chris Brown.
.

[newyorkjoe]

This is a woman who at one time questioned Richard Nixon during his Watergate-era press conferences.

How does she sleep at night?

Oh, I guess very well, on an incredibly expensive mattress bought by a smidgen of all those millions of $$ ABC pays her to "interview" people like Rhiana.

Quite a "get," Diane. Heckuva job.

[Dr Jimmy and Mr Jim]

Why would anyone watch anything with Diane Sawyer? Last week, during an interview with Al Gore, she played a tape of Glenn Beck talking about methane and cheeseburgers.

Diane Sawyer giving Glenn Beck air time? Are you kidding me? This is where I get off. I would NOT tune in to Diane Sawyer for any credible information; just a bad joke which is what she is.

ABC News has to rely on Glenn Beck for information? Sh@me on you, ABC News. Sh@me on you Diane Sawyer.

[Morocco]

What do you expect from an ancient beauty queen?

[Dr Jimmy and Mr Jim]

You're right. I wouldn't expect much.

[samilli3]

SHE'S NOT NAKED...WOW...

[worldviewer]

now that this interview has brought closure to this unfortunate incident (my full sympathies go out to her as a past victim of domestic abuse myself) we can get back to the real issues at hand regarding rihanna...

this pop tart cannot sing worth a damn, she is overly produced, writes not a single word or note of any of her hits, and she, like so many other pop stars who lack in the musical department, objectifies herself, and women by extension, to gain attention and sell albums.

not to mention, her single "russian roulette" glorifies suicide to the young fans that she in this interview admits to knowing she has a profound influence on.

she's stunningly beautiful when she's all made up tho.

[alieninvader]

I never saw her as beautiful, but what do I know? I'm just a woman.

[Back2Life]

She can't sing, dance, or entertain. What is she good for? I am so tired of seeing her titays displayed everywhere. Some role model for young girls...She can't keep her clothes on or her story straight.

[EducatedObserver]

Of course this was a ratings hit - that was the intention all along.

Now Rihanna's minders (PR people, coaches) will no doubt receive generous Christmas bonuses. :-)

[dct1999]

Where are all the posters who claimed that no one wanted to hear her story? LMAO

[ZimboChick]

they r so full of it tsk!

[johnnygoodwud]

notice the pure white blouse,,,,,,,,all buttoned up. give me a break. this was an image repair stunt.