'Casino' a good bet

'Shore' scores too but repeats rule Monday

By RICK KISSELL

Auds chose repeats of their faves over new fare on Monday night, although Fox's "North Shore" and "The Casino" plus ABC's "Weddings Gone Wacky" bowed to decent ratings.

Also, the WB saw an expected boost for the finale of limited-run music spoof "Superstar USA" and NBC's "For Love or Money" rebounded, but a special preview seg of the net's "Next Action Star" had little traction.

Overall, though, despite a slew of firstrun programming, it was pretty much a typical Monday: A repeat of NBC's "Fear Factor" took the night's opening hour, and CBS, led by "CSI: Miami" and "Everybody Loves Raymond," ruled the rest of the way.

At Fox, the Hawaii-set drama "North Shore" (2.3/7 in 18-49, 5.92 million viewers overall) ran third at 8 o'clock in 18-49 and second in 18-34 (2.5/9). It delivered 10 shares in women 18-34 and femmes 12-34.

And "The Casino" (2.6/7 in 18-49, 5.80m), which follows two young millionaires as they take over the Golden Nugget hotel and casino in Las Vegas, placed third at 9 in most categories but a solid No. 2 in men 18-49 (2.7/8), just a tick behind CBS.

It also grew on the half-hour, generally a good sign.

Opposite "Casino," the WB's "Superstar USA" (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.24m) achieved some series highs with its finale, ranking second in the 9 o'clock hour in femmes 12-34 (3.3/9). NBC's "For Love or Money" (3.1/8 in 18-49, 7.15m) looked better after its tame preem of a week earlier.

From 10 to 11, "CSI: Miami" dominated (4.9/13 in 18-49, 14.05m), with the premiere of ABC News' five-week series "Weddings Gone Wacky, Wonderful & Wild" a distant second (2.5/7 in 18-49, 6.50) but a solid draw among femmes.

NBC's casting special of new unscripted skein "Next Action Star" lagged at 10 (2.2/6 in 18-49, 4.93m); show preemed Tuesday night at 8 in its regular slot.