
With heroics by Ryan Seacrest, who hosted while ill, Fox’s American Idol (4.6/13 in adults 18-49, 16.5 million viewers) was down a tenth from last Wednesday’s 18-49 fast national (two from the final, though the reality series will likely be adjusted up again). It delivered Fox’s 15th consecutive Wednesday win in 18-49 and total viewers.
ABC’s established comedies went into repeats last night, leaving newbie Don’t Trust The B—- to fend for itself. The midseason comedy (2.0/5) was down 23% from last week when it followed a new Modern Family. But it was up 25% from the last ABC original to air in the Wednesday 9:30 PM slot behind a Modern Family rerun — the season finale of Happy Endings (1.6 in the fast nationals). The declines carried over to the 10 PM hour, where Revenge (2.0/6) was down 13% from last week to a series low.
NBC’s Rock Center With Brian Williams (0.9/2) posted a rare second consecutive week of ratings gains. It’s currently up 50% from its result last Wednesday for its best number in two months, though it often is adjusted down in the finals so the margin may narrow. Rock Center‘s companions were all flat vs. last week: Off Their Rockers (1.6/5), BFFs (0.8/2) and Law & Order: SVU (1.6/4). CBS’ Survivor: One World (2.6/8) was down a tenth from last week’s fast national to a new series low with regular telecasts. A repeat of the CW’s LA Complex (0.3/1) actually matched the low-rated Canadian import’s premiere the night before, while America’s Next Top Model (0.5/1) was down a tenth in the first episode since news of the pending dismissal of longtime co-stars Nigel Barker, Jay Manuel and J. Alexander broke.
TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.


Nellie – season finale of Happy Endings got ticked up to a 1.7 in the finals.
Ryan is a trooper.
And, although I was down on Idol in the beginning of the season, I must give credit to Nigel for vastly improving the overall production. Most importantly, this year the talent is terrific.
I believe the top six all have good shots at successful careers. Choosing the American Idol this year is a tough job for the television audience, but so far (and Jessica was saved) the voting is better and more reflective of the actual performances each week.
Kudos to Ryan and Nigel.
LA Complex is really good. I hope CW is smart enough to realize the potential before they cancel. Good actors and fun story. Too many crappy CW shows have scared people away.
Like most NBC shows “Rock Center” got less then 4 million veiwers, so their ratings STILL suck.
Survivor down to a 2.6. What has happened to CBS this year? It’s so bad it can’t even challenge the sinking Idol show.
Seacrest is “heroic”? Seriously. Dear God.
Why in thw world did the CW repeat a show that absolutely tanked in the ratings the night before and yet they received the same results again the last night? Is Pedowitz gluttoned for punishment or what? I mean seriously…I thought NBC was bad and it’s too little, too late for Rock Bottom and the rest of their drivel Wednesday lineup, but the CW continues to get closer and closer to irrelevancy if they keep going down this trend. Unbelievable!