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Stossel's "20/20" ratings surpass Walters'
HOLLYWOOD - 20/20 was the highest-rated primetime program Friday night, despite the fact that Barbara Walters was absent and commentator John Stossel ("Give Me a Break") replaced her as host. The magazine, which posted an 8.1 rating and a 16 share -- versus last week, when it pulled a 7.7/15 -- led off with a report about sometime producer Peter Paul who claimed that he put up $1.5 million for a fund-raising party for Hillary Clinton but did not receive a promised pardon in return. (He was later indicted on stock fraud charges.) Paul produced video clips from the party showing Cher and Melissa Etheridge performing, Wolfgang Puck preparing the meals, and arriving "A-list" guests including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Brad Pitt and John Travolta.