'Idol' and 'Lost' lower than usual

A bumpy night for broadcast Wednesday evening as a few top shows posted lower numbers despite a fair number of repeats in the mix.

A two-hour "American Idol" (23.7 million viewers, 8.9 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 23 share) led the night, but matched its preliminary-rating season low. ABC and CBS tied for second, with "Lost" (9.8 million, 4.3/10) posting another dramatic number this week. "Lost" went from the prior episode's season high to a season low while up against the second half of "Idol" this week. "Lost" will likely improve in the nationals, since the show's final six minutes ran into the 10 p.m. hour. "Life on Mars" (5.5 million, 2.0/5) aired at 10 p.m.

CBS had comedy repeats at 8 p.m., followed by "Criminal Minds" (14 million, 3.4/8) and "CSI: NY" (12.7 million, 3.1/9), both down a tick.

NBC was in third with a special one-hour "Biggest Loser" (8.7 million, 3.3/9) that gave NBC its best rating in the time period in more than a year (excluding Olympics), followed by "Life" (4.9 million, 1.6/4) and a repeat. The CW aired repeats.

Comments

[jimi]

we need to see more tie ins between "Life On Mars" and 70s NY nite club Max's Kansas City....