'24' clocks Fox win; 'Kingpin' strikes out
Sutherland skein tops 'Smallville' by 59%
Taking advantage of heavy promotion a night earlier during "Joe Millionaire," second-year drama "24" matched its all-time high in adults 18-49 (6.5/15, 13.14 million viewers overall), according to Nielsen. Achievement came even as lead-in "American Idol" slipped -- if you could call it that -- to season lows (a still-dominant 9.2/23, 19.87m).
"24" topped its closest competitor in adults 18-49, the WB's "Smallville," by 59% (6.5/15 to 4.1/10) and also easily led its hour in adults 18-34 and 25-54. In total viewers, it placed a close second to CBS drama "The Guardian" (13.63m), which matched its best 18-49 score (3.2/8) since Oct. 1.
Boys' club
As for "Kingpin," NBC's drama about a family-run drug cartel ran third for its 10 p.m. hour in adults 18-49 with its lowest score in six tries (3.4/9). Its ratings declined with each week on both Sunday and Tuesday. But because it delivered a younger, more male aud than typical scripted NBC fare -- winning its slot every time out in adults and men 18-34 -- don't be surprised to see it in some form on the net's sked down the road.
The Peacock, meanwhile, continues to have comedy problems on the night. Leading into the "Kingpin" finale was another soft showing for rookie laffer "A.U.S.A." (3.2/8 in adults 18-49), which retained just 65% of its "Frasier" lead-in (4.9/11).
ABC, second on the night in adults 18-49, was led by a slot-leading "NYPD Blue" at 10 (two-month high 4.6/12). "Judging Amy" paced CBS, leading at 10 in total viewers (14.97m) and femme demos.
Fox led the sweep through Tuesday with a 5.7/14 in adults 18-49, followed by NBC (4.9/13) and ABC (3.9/10). CBS leads in total viewers.
