'Bonnie,' 'Jim' couple well for ABC

Morning Ratings Flash - Rick Kissell

By RICK KISSELL

ABC is gaining momentum on Tuesday nights, as the return of "According to Jim" and the move of "Life With Bonnie" to its new timeslot lifted the net to a first-place finish in adults 18-49 (4.9/13), according to prelim nationals from Nielsen. CBS remained on top in total viewers, boosted by the season preem of "Judging Amy" (15.4 million).

ABC's "Bonnie" (prelim 11.3 million, 4.8/12 in A18-49) and the premiering "Less Than Perfect" at 9:30 (10.6m, 4.4/11) held up well opposite NBC's combo of "Frasier" (14.4m, 5.6/14) and "Hidden Hills" (11.2m, 5.0/12). Both of NBC's laffers were way down from the previous week, when "Frasier" opened its season with a wedding between Niles and Daphne.

ABC's "8 Simple Rules" (5.2/15 in 18-49) and "According to Jim" (5.1/14) took advantage of no competing Fox comedies (net aired baseball) to dominate the 8 o'clock hour in all key demos.

NBC again did OK with new laffer "In-Laws," which placed second in 18-49 with a 3.4/10 in adults 18-49 at 8 and a 4.0/11 at 8:30.