Leah Remini's explosive Scientology interview gave '20/20' a big ratings push
The magazine show was viewed by 8.2 million viewers and earned a 1.7 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18- to 49-year-old audience in the 10 p.m. time slot, according to an ABC release.
Those numbers represent a humongous 58% increase in total viewers and a 42% increase in the ad demographic versus the previous week's 5.1 million viewers and 1.2 rating.
These are the highest ratings for "20/20" since the Bruce Jenner interview in April, which attracted 16.9 million viewers and earned a 5.2 rating.
ABC News' Dan Harris interviewed Remini on Friday's special, in which she detailed her experiences as a former member of the Church of Scientology. She also explained how she became increasingly uncomfortable about the group's most famous member, Tom Cruise, and how she was allegedly punished for speaking out.