Fox dramas and 'Two and a Half Men' lead Monday

Not all official photos for CBS shows are flattering

Fox won a close three-way race for first place in Monday's preliminary ratings, with the network and CBS and ABC all within a couple tenths of each other.

Very little drama in the numbers last night, most shows landed within a couple tenths of their last airing. Fox's "House" (12.2 million viewers, 4.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) was down a two from its last original, though "24" (11.2 million, 3.7) performed solid business.

CBS was back to firing on all four half-hour comedy cylinders, with "The Big Bang Theory" (9.8 million, 3.8) showing how to open the night, then "How I Met Your Mother" (9.2 million, 3.9), "Two and a Half Men" (14.4 million, 5.1) and "Rules of Engagement" (11 million, 4.1). The quartet matched or in most cases slightly exceeded their last original performances. "CSI: Miami" (13.4 million, 3.9) topped 10 p.m.

ABC was only a tenth behind with "Dancing With the Stars" (20.2 million, 4.8), which continues to slip. Though 10 p.m.'s "Castle" (9.8 million, 2.5) matched last week.

NBC's "Chuck" (5.6 million, 2.0) dropped a bit to a series low, while "Heroes" (6.3 million, 3.1) rose a few pegs.

On the CW, "Gossip Girl" (2.5 million, 1.2) rebounded from last week and also hit its best adults 18-34 rating since early January. "One Tree Hill" (2.3 million, 1.2) was unchanged.

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Comments

[matt]

why didn't CBS just put Rules on back in the fall? I understand wanting to introduce a new show--but man oh man Rules could've been halfway to syndication already!

This bodes good for there being a renewal of The Castle doesn't it??? I only ask because well i'm curuious if ABC has a legitamate sleeper hit on its hands here or if its just me.

Poor Poor Chuck--last night's was a rather nice ep too---finally showed that Sarah, Chuck, AND Casey all work perfectly as a team---and that they all know it too boot. When is NBC gonna wise up and try it out on Wednesdays at 8 against oh you know NOTHING already??? (i know i know american idol will fill that slot in May--but CHUUCK could be ruling that hour damnit!)

[Crystal]

I'm really starting to enjoy Castle. With steady ratings, do you think it has a shot at renewal?

NBC just needs to stop looking at "regular" ratings for Chuck. Everyone I know watches it but NO ONE watches it Monday night - there is way too much stuff on. I watch it Tuesday on hulu at lunch.