HOLLYWOOD -- Fox's "Temptation Island" continued to entice viewers with its third episode on Wednesday, although its small week-to-week declines suggest that it may not be a "Survivor"-like wildfire hit after all.
According to Nielsen, Wednesday's seg of the six-week reality series won its hour by 6 shares in adults 18-49 and by 19 shares in adults 18-34 while placing second to NBC's "The West Wing" in total viewers. It combined with another strong, though not as dominant, perf from rookie laffer "Grounded for Life" to give Fox its third straight Wednesday victory in 18-49.
"Temptation" (16.83 million viewers, 8.8/21 in adults 18-49) was down vs. its second episode by 5% in viewers and by 8% in adults 18-49, but up slightly vs. its strong premiere numbers of two weeks ago (16.1m, 8.3/19). A key factor in its drop this week is that timeslot foe "West Wing," fresh off a Golden Globe victory on Sunday, was airing an original episode after being in repeat the previous week.
Although the week-three hiccup doesn't give the series the chance at duplicating "Survivor's" amazing stepladder like growth of last summer, it is certainly providing a big boost to Fox's Wednesday lineup. The net was languishing in fourth place on the night earlier this season with "The Street" airing in the 9 o'clock hour.
As for "Grounded for Life" (10.98m, 5.3/14 in A18-49), it again built on its repeat "That '70s Show" lead-in among total viewers (10.63m), but for the first time failed to top it in adults 18-49 (5.5/15). "Grounded" placed third in its 8:30 half-hour -- though just three ticks out of the lead -- and combined with " '70s" to give Fox the hour in the key demo.
NBC's drama lineup held up well, with "Ed" rolling its best 18-49 score in four Wednesday tries (5.3/14) and topping ABC's "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" (4.9/13) for the first time. "West Wing" placed second in 18-49 and first in both viewers and adults 25-54, while "Law & Order" (18.54m, 7.1/19 in A18-49) again ruled its hour.
Compared with the same Wednesday a year ago, NBC was up 7% in adults 18-49 (6.2 vs. 5.8), but Fox improved by 97% (7.1 vs. 3.6) to take the night.
ABC, whose "Drew Carey" and "Spin City" placed a solid third in the very tough 9 o'clock hour, was down year-to-year by 2%, while CBS was down a whopping 40%. Eye's "Bette" fell to its second lowest viewer total (6.93m) and matched its lowest 18-49 rating of the season (2.5/7), while "Blackout" (7.28m, 2.0/5) became the net's weakest-performing Wednesday pic of the season.
On Tuesday, ABC's reality series "The Mole" continued its ho-hum perf, merely maintaining its week-earlier 18-49 average (4.9/13) despite facing all-rerun competition. The nine-week series bowed Jan. 9 with a 5.6/14 demo rating.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com