Tony v. Tonys - Tony Wins

The results are in in the Tony vs. Tonys showdown.

Broadway's best averaged a tepid 6.2 million viewers from the 110 million households that receive CBS.

THE SOPRANOS drew 11.9 million viewers from among the 30 million households in the HBO universe.

If one were to extrapolate the HBO universe out to national levels, THE SOPRANOS audience would have been equivalent to about 43.6 million viewers.

It wasn't even close.

Even at 11.9 million, THE SOPRANOS scored higher ratings than every other show on American TV this week except for AMERICA'S GOT TALENT.

Oh, and do you hear anyone talking about the way the Tonys ended? David Hyde-Pierce could have paraded on stage naked and no one would be talking about anything other than "Cut to black, roll credits."

Tony v. Tonys

Way back in the day, when the world was still broadcast in living black and white, Broadway supplied television with some of the most popular programming available.

Huge numbers were racked up by live televised versions of things like Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella, or specials featuring the best of the Great White Way.

Tonight, CBS airs the 61st Annual Tony Awards. Last year, all of 7.8 million people tuned in. The big winner was "Jersey Boys."

Also tonight, the curtain falls on one TV's most impactful made-for-premium cable shows - THE SOPRANOS. 7.7 million tuned in for the season premiere last month.

It's Tony Soprano vs. the Tony Awards.

Which telecast will feature the most drama? Which will draw the larger audience? Which will we remember this time next year?

I think I know the answers. Jersey Boys all the way. As for that awards show?

Fuhgetaboutit.