Thursday ratings: 'Hour' steady, 'Mars' and 'Kim' drop

The second week of CBS' new procedural drama "Eleventh Hour" matched its premiere rating to help the network win the night even as its powerful lead-in "CSI" notably declined.

"Eleventh" (12 million, 3.2 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and a 9 share) held steady to place second in the 10 p.m. hour, while 9 p.m.'s "CSI" (18.8 million, 5.1/13) dropped 28%. "Survivor" (12.9 million, 4.2/12) also was down slightly, yet topped its hour.

Second place ABC had a night of mixed returns -- one show stable, one improved and one dropping. "Ugly Betty" (8.2 million, 2.6/8) was the steady performer. The top-rated show of the night, "Grey’s Anatomy" (14.6 million, 5.8/14), halted its recent declines to gain a couple notches and overthrow "CSI" this week. The second week of freshman drama "Life on Mars" (8.5 million, 2.7/7) fell 27% from its premiere.

The second episode of NBC's "Kath & Kim" (6 million, 2.5/7) sank 22% from its debut and was the network's lowest-rated program of the night. The second of four planned "Saturday Night Live" primetime specials (8.6 million, 4.1/10) fell 20% from last week, but matched its strong "Office" lead-in (8.1 million, 4.1/10). NBC also aired "My Name Is Earl" (6.5 million, 2.6/8) and "ER" (8.8 million, 3.5/10), the latter winning the 10 p.m. hour for the second week in a row.

Fox aired "Hole in the Wall" (3.6 million, 1.4/4), falling about 7% from its last airing, as well as a repeat. The CW's "Smallville" (4.1 million, 1.7/5) was up slightly from last week, while "Supernatural" (3.1 million, 1.2/3) was down a tad.

Related: "Saturday Night Live" third presidential debate parody video.

Comments

[James Cave]

Of course CSI dropped. They had Sarah with a major role. That character is so hard to watch. She is a combination of Howdy Doody, Mr. Rogers and Oprah, a saccarhine do-gooder. She is hard to take seriously, even as comic relief. She would make a good subject for a SNL parody but as a serious character she is a loser.
If Sarah is back on a permanent basis my wife and I are gone.