'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

Comments

[Jeffrey]

Why are people still watching ACCORDING TO JIM?

It's like comfort food for shut-ins.

And let's not forget that Jim Belushi resigned from the Writers Guild last year so he could work on episodes without crossing the picket line. He figured (correctly) that ABC would reward his "loyalty" by picking up the show for another back order.