Joe Millionaire
HOLLYWOOD -- "Joe Millionaire" was money once again for Fox on Monday, dominating its hour and contributing to lowest-ever ratings for ABC's "American Music Awards."
According to Nielsen, "Joe" easily led at 9 in adults 18-49 (9.4/21), adults 18-34 (10.9/26) and total viewers (17.53 million), down about 7% from its boffo bow of a week earlier. Combined with a rather tame score for "Boston Public" (3.7/9 in 18-49), Fox won the night by most key measures.
The 30th "AMAs," hosted by the Osbournes, averaged a 5.7/13 in adults 18-49 for its three hours, a 22% dropoff from last year (when it aired on a Wednesday) and the lowest on record for the kudocast. Its overall average audience of 12.9 million is also an all-time low, off 19% from last year.
Some of the show's biggest winners -- including the Dixie Chicks and Eminem -- weren't able to appear, likely contributing to the soft ratings. Having to face Fox's gigantic "Joe" couldn't have helped, either.
In an oddity for an awards show, the "AMAs" peaked in the 8:30 half-hour -- right before "Joe" began -- with a 6.1/15 in adults 18-49 and 14.2 million viewers overall.
Still, ABC was a solid second on the night in most key demos.
NBC's "Fear Factor" won the opening hour in adults 18-49 (6.0/15) while "Crossing Jordan" (5.2/13) hit a season high for the second straight week and topped a repeat of CBS' "CSI: Miami" (4.3/10). Net won the night in total viewers, edging out Fox.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com