The full national ratings for the Sunday public affairs shows will be available Thursday, but we do have the overnights from the metered markets. And it appears going to brunch, the beach or church beat out watching a GOP debate. This Week finished last (or tied for last) in 8 of the 56 metered markets, including Washington, DC.

Meet The Press beat This Week in New York and Chicago, Face the Nation beat This Week in Philly and FOX News Sunday topped the ABC program in markets including Detroit, St. Louis and Tampa. But apparently, folks in Southern California wanted to hear what the GOP candidates had to say. This Week came in #1 in the nation's #2 market, Los Angeles.

>More from an ABC tipster: This Week beat Meet the Press and Face the Nation in the fast nationals (25-54 demo):

This Week 830,000
Meet The Press 820,000
Face The Nation 810,000

The emailer continues: "It looks as though (the) debate was the most highly viewed GOP debate this cycle beating FNC, MSNBC and CNN."

>An emailer writes: "If ABC has to resort to competing with cable news for ratings, that's an embarrassment..."