• August 7, 2003

Move over Larry King, at least for the moment. When it comes to interviews with a big newsmaker, Wednesday night's Tonight Show with Jay Leno scored big. Actor and former Mr. Universe Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his candidacy during the taping of The Tonight Show before he went before reporters in a news conference. NBC said Wednesday night's Tonight Show achieved its highest metered-market rating for a Wednesday night in more than four years and doubled the rating of the other networks' programs during that hour. The Tonight Show averaged a 6.9/17 in Nielsen Media Research's 55 local metered markets. The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) delivered a 3.1/7, Nightline (ABC) delivered a 3/7 and Jimmy Kimmel Live earned a 1.2/4. A kind of "Arnold Effect" boosted the fortunes of Leno's lead-out, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, which delivered a 3/10 in the metered markets. NBC said it was the highest overnights of the season. Wednesday night's program was a 33% increase over its average Wednesday rating of 5.2/13, NBC said. Ironically, the last Wednesday night to score as well came more than four years ago with another political figure, Jesse Ventura. On May 26, 1999, the then-Minnesota governor was a guest along with singer Ricky Martin. That Tonight Show delivered a 7.3/19. The only higher overnight ratings (7.1/17) this season came on May 12, when Leno and Today co-host Katie Couric swapped shows for a night. Final Nielsen ratings are due Aug. 14.