'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.
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