'Mists' mints major ratings

Many major markets muster an 8 rating

By JOHN DEMPSEY

TNT's heavily bankrolled miniseries "Mists of Avalon" chalked up a rousing 6.5 rating in cable homes, according to Nielsen's overnight ratings.

Part one of "Avalon" averaged better than an 8 rating in five markets: Sacramento, Orlando, Seattle, San Francisco and St. Louis. The first two hours did better than its national average in Los Angeles, where it finished with a 7.1, and in New York, where it wound up with a 6.9 rating.

Overnight numbers for Monday's part will be available today. "Avalon," which presents the legend of King Arthur from the point of view of the women who wielded power in Camelot, stars Angelica Huston, Julianna Margulies and Joan Allen.