'American Idol' dominates; 'Ted' slips

Getting delayed due to the president's press conference didn't seem to faze Fox's "American Idol," which on Wednesday night posted slightly higher numbers than either of its performances last week.

The two-hour Motown-themed "Idol" (25.6 million viewers, 9.1 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) towered over all rivals, which speaks to both the reality show's strength and the relative weakness of Wednesday night competition this midseason. Tonight's "Idol" results show airing against the NCAA finals and other heavy-hitting Thursday fare should be a tougher fight.

ABC mustered the strongest defense, with "Scrubs" (5.3 million, 2.0) and the second episode of "Better Off Ted" (4.7 million, 1.8), which slipped 14% from its premiere. A series-low "Lost" (8.8 million, 4.0) was the evening's second-highest-rated show, and fell slightly, too, though primetime zombie "Life on Mars" (5.7 million, 2.1) improved.

CBS was third in the adult demo but second in total viewers. The network aired a special "Survivor" recap show (8.2 million, 2.3), an on par "Criminal Minds" (14 million, 3.4) and a lower-than-usual "CSI: NY" (12.6 million, 3.0).

NBC's "Chopping Block" (2.6 million, 0.9) dropped under a 1.0 rating for the first time, and was followed by "Life" (4.3 million, 1.4) and "Law & Order" (7.2 million, 2.2). 

With "Idol" launching from 8 p.m., the CW's "America's Next Top Model" (2.8 million, 1.4) took a knock this week and was followed by a repeat. 

Comments

[Jeffrey]

LIFE ON MARS clumps to the finish line, building an audience as it reaches its series finale.

Perhaps this is a concept ABC should follow - pick up the British ASHES TO ASHES spinoff - and immediately put it into production for next season.

[Harold]

Your numbers suggest CBS was number two in the demo, not number three. ABC @2.7, CBS @2.9. Is this correct, or is one of the numbers listed above wrong?

[Hank M.]

Better Off Ted was still the funniest show we've had in a long time. ABC, please don't get all panicky about it. This is one show that deserves time. Obama wants us to be patient with the economy. ABC can be patient with Better Off Ted.

[coffee]

they saved the best for last this week -- Adam, Danny and Allison... nice