Crime dramas, 'Dollhouse' post Friday gains

Crime drama fans gave a mild boost to CBS' "Ghost Whisperer" and NBC's time-period newcomer "Law & Order," plus Fox's "Dollhouse" climbed from last week's dire low.

CBS' night-topping "Ghost" (8.6 million, 2.1 preliminary adults 18-49 rating) recovered from last week's dropoff, up 24%, while competitor "Law & Order" (7.2 million, 1.5) climbed 25%. On Fox, "Brothers" (2.3 million, 0.8) continued to drag, along with "Til Death" (2.4 million, 0.8) -- if this duo is still here two weeks from now, I'll be surprised. Despite its lead-in failing to improve, "Dollhouse" (2.2 million, 1.0) bounced 11% from last week to match its second season premiere. On the CW, "Smallville" (2.3 million, 0.9) continued to underwhelm.

Overall: CBS won the night with the rest of its crime drama block on par, followed by NBC with "Law" and the "Southland"-replacing "Dateline" (7.1 million, 1.5) and a steady "Jay Leno Show" (5.3 million,1.4). ABC was third with repeats and Fox was fourth.