Image Credit: Monty Brinton/CBSFor the love of Mark Harmon, would you look at those ratings for NCIS! The veteran CBS drama posted a series record in viewers on Tuesday – a whopping 22.7 million – and also earned its best adult 18-49 rating (4.6/12) since October of 2009, according to preliminary ratings. As a result, CBS slaughtered the competition in viewers (17.5 million) and 18-49 (3.5/9) for the night. Each 18-49 ratings point equals 1.3 million viewers.
Then again, CBS didn’t have a helluva lot of competition in the 8 p.m. time slot. Fox aired a repeat of Glee and ABC went with an oldie of No Ordinary Family, so Harmon and Co. only had to do battle with The Biggest Loser, which also posted a tidy gain over the previous week by earning a 3.3/8 — up 3% — and 9.1 million.
The rest of CBS’s schedule rocked, too. NCIS: LA earned a 3.8/9 — up 15% — and 17.7 million, while The Good Wife grabbed a 2.2/6 – up 5% — and 12.1 million.
NBC came in second for the night with a 2.9/8 and 8.1 million, with Parenthood averaging a 2.2/6 and 6.1 million viewers. Fox was third in the demo (1.7/4) and viewers (5.0 million) for the night while ABC finished fourth (1.3/3, 4.9 million).
The CW, meanwhile, enjoyed its most-watched Tuesday (2.1 million) in more than a year and hit season highs in demos like adults 18-34 and women 18-34 with originals of One Tree Hill (2.4 million viewers) and Hellcats (1.9 million).
that is totally wrong. no one watching NCIS. thats a bull report. who could watches this show?
My husband and I. This is good television!!
Who’s watching this show? Well, I am. As are, I suspect, other people who are able to formulate complete sentences.
Oh yes, I know–this is a longstanding lie about who is watching what. Better watch out for Nielsen, they’re out to get us…?
[/sarcasm]
Anyway, NCIS is a fantastic show. I’ve been watching it since season one, and it only gets better. For some people, you to have to watch a few episode to really get a feel for it, which is fine. But this show is worth it, and I’m so proud to see it’s getting nearly 23 million views!
I have been watching it since the first “crossover” episode debut on JAG’s next to last or last season.
It was good then and even better now that the ensemble cast has gotten settled in.
NCIS: LA is not nearly as good, BTW.
PS: “The Good Wife” is GREAT programming across the board.
CBS rocks and rules on Tuesdays.
I do. A few of my friends do. I even got my in-laws hooked, even if they joined late in the game.
NCIS might not have as high quality of writing as say “The Good Wife”, but it wins in its own way. NCIS is about the only procedural drama I watch anymore.
I love the characters, and how they interact. And how interaction *has* evolved. Sure, sometimes there are cheesy moments, but there’s enough tidbits you can learn about the characters. I personally think that the acting quality is pretty high.
I used to think the show was pointless too. I’d see a preview and couldn’t bring myself to watch it because it looked like a waste. However, one day I was flipping through the channels and landed on a USA maraton of NCIS, it was “Bait.” I fell in love with it. So I went online a watched the 6 seasons I missed. I love the show now. The chemistry, humor, and realism can captivate anyone.
I watch NCIS becuase it’s the only investigation show on TV that also has humor. Other shows like the CSIs take themselves way too seriously.
Why should this be a surprise? NCIS is a great show that unfortunately gets forgotten because it doesn’t have a young sexy cast. Mark Harmon is gorgeous but you know how much space he got in the latest People Sexiest Man Alive- one little line and a small photo from 1983. Give me a break. I think if people actually watched the show they would enjoy it a lot.
I’m 26, and I actually love the fact that NCIS has an “older” cast member. It makes me feel like it offsets all the crazy reality TV shows about horny and idiotic “youngins”. I think it adds to some reality of how workplaces usually are. You have newcomers, but you have those that have worked there their entire lives. Plus, really, the main cast *that* old? I guess Harmon is almost 60, but he’s an incredible actor. De Pablo and Murray are in their early thirties, Weatherly and Perrette are about 40.
It sure helped that we were all snowed in ~ begging for new programming from our favorite shows
The Good Wife is a big flop. Lost 42% of NCIS:LA demo audience.
When is 12 million viewers “a big flop”? For a courtroom drama that’s actually pretty good, and plus its NCIS and The Good Wife, two very different shows, two verey different audiences.
obviously you never read a review of The Good Wife, the smartest part serial/part procedural on TV, period. it’s definitely not a show for NCIS:LA watchers though, but CBS kind of have no companion show for a female lead drama now.
I do! Pretty good episode last night.
I stopped for one season because after Kate was killed and Ziva came, I got a little bored with it. The humor is great though, and I am back. I also have to get my Mark Harmon fix.
I’m glad to hear you’re back! I was an early fan, too, and gave up after they killed Kate off. I saw season 5, which hooked me back in. The new cast grew on me, and I knew I just had to watch the seasons I missed.
Bring Back Raising Hope!
@ Adam, NCIS is a really awesome show, with unique characters. It’s also about the USA Navy and Marines. It’s a very intelligent show, something that people who can write proper English will understand. I am soo glad NCIS is doing excellent, and I hope for many more seasons
I love all the characters, NCIS is the best show ever. Congrats NCIS!!! 
wooohooo!
I love NCIS! It’s an amazing show and the cast is great.
It’s a well written ensemble with strong plots and lots of humor! Best show on TV! Also – the cast is HOT!
Amazing show. Deserves these ratings. I love every minute of it–it’s brilliant!
While I’m a regular watcher of NCIS anyway, I thought last night’s episode was made even better with a great guest performance by Christina Cox.
The greatness of the show is its ability to incorporate humor with just enough seriousness (considering there are usually dead bodies). And how can you not love a cast like Mark, Pauley, David, Cote, Sean & Michael?
I love NCIS. You can’t fake the chemistry between the lead characters, who fight just like siblings. CBS’ best dramas are on Tuesday night!
Plus, Mark Harmon looks good at any age.