'Christine' and 'Unmarried' hit season highs

After a couple months of ho-hum performances, CBS' one-hour comedy block unexpectedly jumped Wednesday night to season-high ratings.

In some of the biggest week-to-week program gains we've seen all season, "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (8.1 million viewers, 2.5 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) spiked 25%, and "Gary Unmarried" (8.1 million, 2.7) leapt 29%.  The shows placed second in the 8 p.m. hour and led into chart-topping "Criminal Minds" (16.4 million, 4.3) which was up 13% and had its largest audience since its premiere. Not to be outdone, the 100th episode of "CSI: NY" (14 million, 3.8) went up 27% to its best rating in a month. 

The gains helped CBS win the night in the adult demo and total viewers by significant margins.

Unfortunately, the wealth did not spread to other broadcasters.

Fox was second, with "Bones" (10.7 million, 3.1) slipping 11% followed by a "House" repeat.

ABC was third, with its entire Wednesday lineup hitting series lows. "Pushing Daisies" (4.9 million, 1.7) fell 27% from its last airing (when it flew solo against the Barack Obama ad). "Private Practice" (7.1 million, 2.4) and "Dirty Sexy Money" (5.6 million, 1.7) were down 15% each.

In fourth place, NBC's "Knight Rider" (5.1 million, 1.5) was unchanged. "Life" (5.3 million, 1.7) and "Law & Order" (7.6 million, 2.1) were down a tenth.

On the CW, the "America's Next Top Model" (4.8 million, 2.3) finale was up 21% from last week to a season-high rating. This marks the show's largest adult demo rating since last year's finale and the show placed third in the 8 p.m. hour. The "Model" performance also gave a slight boost to "Sytlista" (2.2 million, 1.0).

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19, 2008 Rate/share 8-8:30 8:30-9 9-9:30 9:30-10 10-10:30 10:30-11 2.0/5 Pushing Daisies 4.9 mil, 1.7/5 Private Practice 7.1 mil, 2.4/6 Dirty Sexy Money 5.6 mil, 1.7/5 3.5/10 The New Adventures of Old Christine 8.1 mil, 2.5/7 Gary Unmarried 8.1 mil, 2.7/7 Criminal Minds 16.4 mil, 4.3/11 CSI: NY 14 mil, 3.8/10 1.8/5 Knight Rider 5.1 mil, 1.5/4 Life 5.3 mil, 1.7/4 Law & Order 7.6 mil, 2.1/6 2.6/7 Bones 10.7 mil, 3.1/9 House 5.7 mil, 2.11/5 No programming 1.7/4 America's Next Top Model 4.8 mil, 2.3/6 Stylista 2.2 mil, 1.0/3 No programming