People Pleasers

Prime-time hits that get little press and how they are ranked this season in the A.C. Nielsen Co.’s national ratings:

A Different World-Starring Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison. Ranked No. 4 in its fourth season. Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on NBC.

Unsolved Mysteries-Hosted by Robert Stack. Ranked No. 12 in its third season. Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Matlock-Starring Andy Griffith and Nancy Stafford. Ranked No. 15 in its fourth season. Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

Who’s the Boss?-Starring Tony Danza and Judith Light. Ranked No. 16 in its seventh season. Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Doogie Howser, M.D.-Starring Neil Patrick Harris and James B. Sikking. Ranked No. 17 in its second season. Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on ABC.

In the Heat of the Night-Starring Carroll O’Connor and Howard Rollins. Ranked No. 19 in its third full season. Tuesday at 9 p.m. on NBC.

Major Dad-Starring Gerald McRaney and Shanna Reed. Ranked No. 22 in its second season. Mondays at 8:30 p.m. on CBS.

Head of the Class-Starring Billy Connolly. Ranked No. 23 in its fifth season. Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.

Full House-Starring John Stamos and Bob Saget. Ranked No. 24 in its fourth season. Fridays at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Family Matters-Starring Reginald Veljohnson. Ranked No. 25 in its second season. Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on ABC.

Growing Pains-Starring Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns and Kirk Cameron. Ranked No. 28 in its sixth season. Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.

Knots Landing-Starring Ted Shackelford, Michele Lee and Joan Van Ark. Ranked No. 30 in its 12th season. Thursdays at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Rescue 911-Hosted by William Shatner. Ranked No. 35 in its second season. Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Jake and the Fatman-Starring William Conrad and Joe Penny. Ranked No. 38 in its fourth season. Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS.

MacGyver-Starring Richard Dean Anderson. Ranked No. 45 in its sixth season (and it usually improves after the football season). Mondays at 10 p.m. during football season, 8 p.m. during the regular season on ABC.

Hunter-Starring Fred Dryer. Ranked No. 47 in its seventh season. Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC.