There’s no longer any question about what is the fall’s biggest show. Without a doubt, the title goes to CBS’ NCIS, which rolled in as the top series on the broadcast networks for the week ending Oct. 25, making it five straight weeks at No. 1. The powerhouse series drew 21.3 million viewers. ABC’s Dancing with the Stars came in at No. 2 with 16.8 million viewers, and spin-off NCIS: Los Angeles was right behind at No. 3 with 16.5 million viewers.
The rest of the Top 20 was rather typical, filled mostly with new episodes of series like ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy at No. 5 (15.1 million veiwers) and CBS’ top comedy Two and a Half Men at No. 10 (14.1 million viewers). One repeat does show up in CBS’ The Mentalist at No. 18 (11.8 million viewers). The only thing out of the ordinary in the Top 20? MLB playoff games 5 and 6, which pop up at No. 17 (11.9 million viewers) and No. 4 (15.5million viewers), respectively.
The week’s full Top 20, complete with viewership totals, is after the jump.
1. NCIS | CBS | 21.3 million
2. Dancing with the Stars Monday | ABC | 16.8 million
3. NCIS: Los Angeles | CBS | 16.5 million
4. ALCS Game 6: Los Angeles Angels at New York Yankees | Fox | 15.5 million
5. Grey’s Anatomy | ABC | 15.1 million
6. Sunday Night Football | NBC | 15.0 million
7. Dancing with the Stars Tuesday | ABC | 14.9 million
8. Criminal Minds | CBS | 14.3 million
9. Desperate Housewives | ABC | 14.2 million
10. Two and a Half Men | CBS | 14.1 million
11. The Big Bang Theory | CBS | 13.5 million
12. The Good Wife | CBS | 13.3 million
13. CSI: Miami | CBS | 13.2 million
14. CSI: NY | CBS | 13.0 million
15. Survivor: Samoa | CBS | 12.9 million
16. 60 Minutes | CBS | 12.5 million
17. ALCS Game 5: New York Yankees at Los Angeles Angels | Fox | 11.9 million
18. The Mentalist (R) | CBS | 11.8 million
19. House | Fox | 11.7 million
20. The Amazing Race | CBS | 11.2 million
More from EW.com’s Hollywood Insider blog:
‘FlashForward’ lures in the advertisers, while Jay Leno suffers
Matthew Perry talks about his new sitcom deal, riffs on a ‘Friends’ reunion scenario
Ratings: Sports scores this weekend
No CSI-Las Vegas in the top 20. Presumably a repeat, but still..
Woo! Go NCIS!
NCIS rules!
Interesting that ‘House’ is #19. I don’t think jiggling with the cast did them any ratings favours. Hugh, however, is still magnificent.
i couldn’t agree more.
Some horrible taste Americans have.
Let me guess, your favorite show is not number 1 so, everybody else is wrong and idiotic and you are right?! Seriously some people needs to grow up!
Good job NCIS!!!
Well that was the shortest season! What happened to NICS? CBS ran a repeat!!! I hung to see about NCIS-LA and it was a repeat also!! Forget wanting to be number one and 3!!! Well maybe we can catch the show on USA Network. Someone at CBS have money on Dancing or whatever the #2 show has been!!!!
Don’t get your panties in a bunch – there will be a new episode next week. I would rather take my repeats a week here and a week there than a two month mid season break like others do.
Calm down, the season isn’t over. Most shows are taking a couple weeks right now–there’s more weeks than there are episodes so they have to stretch it out a little. Take a chill pill and go watch a rerun, the show will be back soon and it’ll be as amazing as ever.
Go NCIS. I only started watching it a year ago but it is great!
YAY NCIS, very good, you are doing soo well, keep it up!! NCIS is my number 1 fave show, has been since I started watching it two years ago. I am surprised at House though, #19, hmmm. Well Hous has been my number 2 fave show since I started watching it last year and Law and Order: SVU my number 3 fave show-I know that SVU do not do as well as MCIS and Hose but still. Keep it up NCIS.
Yeah! Alright! Whoot! Yay! Yahoo! GO NCIS my favorite show this year!=)
I’m so proud of NCIS–it’s ratings have been climbing since season 1–so much for “underdog”. I love this show! It’s the best thing on TV.
NCIS rocks!! **