'Jim' returns; 'Mentalist' the most-watched show

UPDATED: ABC returned midseason comedy "According to Jim" to its Tuesday lineup with back-to-back episodes of the veteran series filling the 9 p.m. hour. 

Although "Jim" (averaging 5.8 million viewers, 2.1 adults 18-49 rating/6 share) lost 29% of its "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" lead-in (8.9 million, 3.1/8), the Jim Belushi comedy was up sharply from last year's premiere and returned respectable numbers in what's been a tough night for ABC this season. At 10 p.m. "Eli Stone" (4.9 million, 1.5/4) continued to sag.

With fourth-place ABC airing "Jim" this week instead of
"Dancing With the Stars," both CBS' "The Mentalist" (18.7 million, 3.8/9) and Fox's "Fringe" (8.5 million, 3.6/9) were up slightly.

"Fringe" climbed despite lead-in "House" (12.5 million, 5.0/14) falling 10%. "House" was nonetheless the  night's highest-rated show, and helped Fox top the evening.

Among total viewers, "The Mentalist" went up 18% to hit a season high -- a gain made tandem with a rise from lead-in "NCIS" (18.5 million, 3.7/10). This marks the first time "The Mentalist" has scored more viewers than "NCIS" and the freshman drama became Tuesday’s most-watched show. CBS' "Without a Trace" (12.3 million, 2.6/7) was on par. Overall CBS landed in third in the demo for the night.

NBC placed second with "The Biggest Loser" (8.8 million, 3.4/9) enjoying its second highest-rated episode this fall and largest overall audience. At 10 p.m., "Law & Order: SVU" (10.3 million, 3.6/10) gained 13% from last week and won the hour. The CW aired repeats. Chart reflects morning prelims. 

TUESDAY  Dec. 2, 2008 Rate/share 8-8:30 8:30-9 9-9:30 9:30-10 10-10:30 10:30-11 2.2/6 Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town 9 mil, 3.1/8 According to Jim 6.1 mil, 2.2/6 According to Jim 5.5 mil, 2.0/5 Eli Stone 4.9 mil. 1.6/4 3.3/9 NCIS 18.5 mil, 3.7/10 The Mentalist 18.9 mil, 3.8/9 Without a Trace 12.2 mil, 2.5/7 3.4/9 Biggest Loser 8.7 mil, 3.4/9 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit 10.3 mil, 3.6/9 4.3/11 House 12.4 mil, 5.0/13 Fringe 8.7 mil, 3.7/9 No programming 0.4/1 90210 (R) 1.2 mil, 0.5/1 Privileged (R) 0.855 0.3/1 No programming