Nellie Andreeva

Fox’s American Idol (7.2/20 in adults 18-49, 21.7 million) continues to hold up well. Its first Hollywood week episode last night was down just 4% in the demo and 1% in total viewers from last week’s Thursday audition episode. Vs. the comparable episode on Wednesday last year, Idol was down 7% in 18-49 and up 3% in viewers. At 9 PM, Bones (3.3/9, 10.1 million) was even with last week, and Fox once again topped the night with a 5.3/14 in 18-49 and 15.9 million viewers.

Last night was a mixed bag for ABC. At 8 PM, Winter Wipeout (2.2/6, 6.9 million) continues to fade against Idol after a strong start, down 12% in 18-49 from last week for a season low. Tentopole drama Grey’s Anatomy (3.9/10) was also down, by 9%, tying its season low. On the bright side, Grey’s spinoff Private Practice 2.7/7 perked up, up 8% from last week, despite its lead-in being down.

CBS’ lineup was mostly down. Big Bang Theory (3.9/11, 12.8 million) was down 9%, $#*! My Dad Says (2.7/7, 10.4 million) was down 4%, while CSI (2.8/7, 12.6 million) was down 7% to tie its series low. At 10 PM, The Mentalist (2.9/8, 14.7 million) was flat. CBS (3.0/8, 13 million) was No.2 for the night in 18-49 and viewers behind Fox.

It was a seesaw night at NBC, with the 8 PM and 9 PM anchors down and 8:30 and 9:30 shows up. Struggling new comedy Perfect Couples (1.5/4), which airs against Idol at 8:30 PM, was up 7% from last week, while its lead-in, Community (1.8/5) was down 10%. Perfect Couples‘ retention was 85% vs. 69% for CBS’ $#*!. In a similar fashion, Parks & Recreation (2.6/7) at 9:30 PM was up 8%, while The Office (3.6/9) was down 3%. Both comedies in the 10 PM hour were down, 30 Rock (2.3/6) off 4%, Outsourced (1.7/5) down 6% for a series low.

CW’s dramas Vampire Diaries (2.7 million, 1.2/3 in 18-49) and Nikita (1.9 million, 0.7/2) ere both down 20%+ in 18-49 from last week for season lows, but Nitita was even in the network’s target 18-34 demo (1.0).

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.