A big night of premieres found CBS and ABC in a close race for most-watched network on Wednesday. The Eye edged out the Alphabet, according to overnight numbers, with the return Criminal Minds (the evening’s top-rated show), CSI: NY, and the 8 p.m. hour’s only sitcoms, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Gary Unmarried. ABC meanwhile scored with the season’s first eliminations on Dancing With the Stars, the healthy debuts of the critically-beloved comedy Modern Family and the slightly less-revered Cougar Town starring Courteney Cox. (And the showing for new dramedy Eastwick that was at least good enough to beat Leno.) NBC finished second in the 8 p.m. hour with the debut of the freshman nurse drama Mercy, but dropped to third at 9 p.m. with the season 11 premiere of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit on a new day and time. Fox’s Glee, which just received a full season order, held steady. The disappointing second episode of The CW’s The Beautiful Life, which dropped roughly 60 percent of its Top Model lead-in, indicated that America does not like fictional models; only “real” models tortured by Tyra.
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 p.m. | Dancing With the Stars: The Results (ABC) Mercy (NBC) The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) America’s Next Top Model (The CW) |
15.0 8.2 7.7 5.6 2.8 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Gary Unmarried (CBS) | 7.4 |
| 9 p.m. | Criminal Minds (CBS) Modern Family (ABC) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Glee (Fox) The Beautiful Life (The CW) |
15.4 12.7 8.4 6.6 1.1 |
| 9:30 p.m. | Cougar Town (ABC) | 11.4 |
| 10 p.m. | CSI: NY (CBS) Eastwick (ABC) The Jay Leno Show (NBC) |
14.6 8.5 6.4 |
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Modern Family costars live-tweet last night’s series debut for EW.com
Kate Ward recaps So You Think You Can Dance
Tim Stack recaps Glee
Eastwick: Did you find it bewitching, or should it be burned at the stake?
Is it wrong that I still want ‘The Jay Leno Show’ to fail?
NOPE… I think it is stupid that NBC is having him on 5 days a week. He is the Bret Farve of late night tv.
Yeah, I don’t understand this. Although I think it is 4 times a week not 5. I thought it was just for the first week as an introductory type thing then it would switch to once a week.
YES!
No.
The only reason I’ve been checking the nightly ratings is in hope of seeing the Leno show fail.
A 10pm talk show hosted by anyone is a crappy idea. I don’t think the hate is directed specifically at Leno, the person. (At least, it isn’t in my case…)
I did too, originally. But now I want EASTWICK to stand a chance. And with Leno languishing, it does.
Does that make me a bad person, too??? grins.
Yes it is – I don’t understand why people hate him so much???
because his show is a snooze fest.
I bet NBC is kicking themselves now after paying out the nose for SVUs two leads! Funny!! Go Criminal Minds!!!
Ugh. Aren’t people sick of those crime shows yet? How many times do you need to see the same recycled stories?
And I caught a bit of Cox’s show, and it looked pretty decent. Liked seeing her playing the wacky girl again. Eastwick looked lame.
I really liked Eastwick. I hope it doesn’t get cancelled!
I agree. I enjoyed it immensely. And my likes are very eclectic: Dexter; True Blood; L & O; Southland; Mentalist; Desperate Housewives, etc.
But I’m a huge Paul Gross fan. And I loved the “magical” vibe. Beautiful setting, and Gross was a hoot delivering his lines.
I REALLY hope it stands a chance!!
Didn’t see Modern Family yet, but Cougar Town was a ton of fun. It’s great having Cox back.
I had to DVR SVU, one of my fav shows bc NBC put it on weds… btw, this year SVU is the only show I’m watching on NBC. I’ll have to catch Cougar Town on ABC.com… but i wish GLEE was getting more viewers… its one of the best shows in YEARS
Huh. I just realized that I am watching nothing on NBC this year. Its all ABC, FOX and CBS now. Sucks to be them!
Go Criminal Minds…those of you that have never watched it should give it a try, there are not many shows today that make you think and this one is one of them!
Criminal Minds rocks!
Criminal Minds is awesome! One of the best shows on TV.
Cougar town was awesome, so was Old Christine. What I saw of Modern Family was pretty good.
Crimminal Minds is awesome! All of the Law and Orders are getting boring. They have had a great run but I think they are coming to an end.
WHERE IS THE LOVE FOR MERCY?! I’m speaking to EW, not the ratings chart. I have looked everywhere on this website for a review, for a tv watch, for a popwatch reference: nothing! It was such a strong premiere episode! and it did well in ratings! where is the love?!
I thought Modern Family was really, really funny. Lots of potential. I also enjoyed Cougar Town but I was surprised at how dirty and raunchy it was, however, I’ll check it out again next week.
I surprisingly loved Cougar Town. Good times… I think I’m the only person I know who hasn’t caught an ep of Glee yet. Will have to do that this week.