CBS, with "The Guardian" grabbing its best numbers since September and "Judging Amy" moving ahead of "NYPD Blue," has posted its first Tuesday victory of the season in adults 25-54, while Fox remained on top in adults 18-49 behind "24," according to preliminary nationals from Nielsen. Both nets' 9 p.m. dramas seemed to take advantage of the WB's "Smallville" airing in repeat.
The Eye net, which also scored a routine victory in total viewers, saw solid numbers for "JAG" (3.6/10 in adults 18-49, 15.9 million viewers overall), "The Guardian" (3.3/8 in adults 18-49, 13.2 million viewers overall) and "Judging Amy" (4.2/11 in adults 18-49, 13.9 million viewers overall). For the first time this season, "Amy" defeated ABC's "NYPD Blue" (4.1/11) in adults 18-49.
Overall, it was CBS' strongest Tuesday in key demos since October 1.
Fox's "24" remained on top for its hour in adults 18-49 (4.9/12), dominating at 9:30 in the demo after trailing NBC's "Frasier" head-to-head at 9 (5.2/13 vs. 4.9/12).
Opening-hour comedy battle was a virtual wash, with ABC's "8 Simple Rules" and Fox's "That '70s Show" tying for the 18-49 lead with a 4.6 rating. ABC's "According to Jim" (4.9/12) moved ahead in the 8:30 half-hour, edging out a repeat of "70s Show" (4.9 to 4.6).
NBC had a weak night, falling to fourth in adults 18-49. At 9:30, "Hidden Hills" retained just 73% of its "Frasier" 18-49 lead-in (3.8/9 vs. 5.2/13). And the net's leadoff-hour laffers and "Dateline" also struggled.
Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 4.8/12; ABC, 4.1/11; CBS, 3.7/10; NBC, 3.4/9.
In total viewers: CBS, 14.3 million; ABC, 10.8 million; Fox, 9.4 million; NBC, 8.4 million.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com