ABC's 'Family' solid in bow

Morning Ratings Flash - Rick Kissell

By RICK KISSELL

ABC's latest unscripted skein, "The Family," debuted to promising numbers Tuesday, while NBC's new version of "Let's Make a Deal" was less impressive but still a decent performer in its bow, according to preliminary nationals from Nielsen. Fox, as usual, dominated the night with its combo of "American Idol" and "24."

"The Family" led the 10 o'clock hour in adults 18-49 (4.1/12) and adults 18-34 (3.8/12), with the net's best series score in the latter since October. The George Hamilton-hosted show is airing in place of "NYPD Blue" repeats all this month.

Leading into "The Family" was the penultimate episode of "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here," which delivered its largest aud since its premiere (10.1 million) and ran second for the hour in adults 18-49 (4.3/11). At 8:30, "According to Jim" drew its largest aud for a repeat seg this season (10.8 million).

Fox's "American Idol" (8.3/23 in adults 18-49, 18.5 million viewers overall) cooled off a bit but remained firmly in control of the 8 o'clock hour, while "24" (6.2/16 in adults 18-49, 13.3 million viewers overall) easily led its hour as well. The 75% retention of "Idol" among adults 18-49 is the best yet for "24."

At NBC, "Let's Make a Deal" averaged a third-place 3.3/9 in adults 18-49 in its premiere - a slight improvement over what the net has averaged in the hour. Lead-out comedy "Frasier," though, fell to an all-time low score for an original episode (4.4/11 in adults 18-49).

CBS was out of the game with a repeat "JAG" (2.3/6 in adults 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall) and the conclusion of two-part movie "Salem Witch Trials" (2.3/6 in adults 18-49, 6.7 million viewers overall).

Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: Fox, 7.3/19; ABC, 4.1/11; NBC, 3.6/10; CBS, 2.3/6.

In total viewers: Fox, 15.9 million; NBC, 10.1 million; ABC, 10.0 million; CBS, 8.1 million.