ABC tops light Sunday

Morning Ratings Flash - Rick Kissell

By RICK KISSELL

Easter festivities seemed to affect the ratings of some of Sunday's top programs, with ABC prevailing as usual thanks to a new episode of "Desperate Housewives," according to preliminary nationals. Most programs will be coded as "special" due to the holiday and thus won't be included in season averages.

At 9, "Desperate Housewives" ruled as the night's top show (7.7/19 in 18-49, 19.7 million viewers overall) although this repped a season low. ABC also won at 8 with "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (4.6/13 in 18-49, 11.8 million viewers overall) and at 10 with a special preview of drama "What About Brian" (5.6/14 in 18-49, 12.8 million viewers overall), which shifts to its regular slot tonight at 10.

NBC's "West Wing" (2.2/6 in 18-49, 8.3 million viewers overall) was down week to week at 8, but the net's crime dramas "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (3.3/8 in 18-49, 11.7 million viewers overall) and "Crossing Jordan" (3.7/9 in 18-49, 12.5 million viewers overall) were both up — thanks in good part to a weak perf in the time period for CBS movie "Covert One: Hades Factor, Part 2" (1.7/4 in 18-49, 6.8 million viewers overall).

The Eye fared better at 8 with "Cold Case" (3.2/9 in 18-49, 13.5 million viewers overall).

Fox was led by a repeat "Family Guy" at 9 (3.3/8 in 18-49, 6.4 million viewers overall), while a special firstrun "War at Home" at 9:30 scored a 2.8/7 in 18-49 and 5.6 million viewers overall.

Preliminary 18-49 averages for the night: ABC, 5.1/14; NBC, 2.7/8; Fox, 2.4/7; CBS, 2.1/6; WB, 0.9/3.

In total viewers: ABC, 12.8 million; NBC, 9.7 million; CBS, 9.1 million; Fox, 4.9 million; WB, 2.1 million.