Nellie Andreeva

Can we all agree that no new newsmagazine could do more than a 1 demo rating no matter how big the talent and recognizable the title and stop trying? Last night, CBS’ revival of Person To Person launched with a 1.1/3 at 8 PM. At 9 PM, NBC’s Rock Center With Brian Williams premiered in its new time slot with the same 1.1/3. The two tied as the lowest-rated programs of the night. Person To Person also pushed down Criminal Minds (3.4/9, down 8% from two weeks ago). At 10 PM, CSI (2.7/7) was down 22% from its last original two weeks ago, which featured the departure of co-star Marg Helgenberger and hit season highs. At NBC, Rock Center‘s lead-out, Law & Order: SVU (2.2/6), with guest stars Miranda Lambert and Harry Connick Jr (neither singing), was actually up, jumping 22% from its last original three weeks ago. But at 8 PM, comedies Whitney (1.5/4), and Are Your There, Chelsea? (1.5/4), which reversed their downward ratings trend last week, were at it again, each down 12% from last week.

Encouraging news for Fox’s American Idol, which stopped the ratings declines in the last couple of airings. Last night’s first Hollywood week episode (6.0/17, 18.9 million), was up 2% from the fast nationals for the show’s Wednesday audition episode last week. Last year, the first Hollywood week episode dipped 4% in 18-49 and 1% in total viewers. (Of course, with a 7.2/20 in 18-49 & 21.7 million, it is away ahead of last night’s outing.) At 9 PM, Mobbed (3.0/8, 8.8 million) was up 7% from last week in 18-49.

ABC’s Wednesday lineup was solid in its return to originals after three weeks. The Middle (2/6/8) was up 4%. Suburgatory (2/57) was flat, Modern Family (5.5/14) was up 8%, Happy Endings (3.0/7) was up 3%, and Revenge (2.5/7) was even. The CW’s low-rated new reality series Remodeled (0.4/1) was up a tenth from last week to tie its series high. (yes, that’s not a typo.) Its lead-in, One Tree Hill (0.7/2), held steady.

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