Prime-Time Metered Market Wednesday Ratings: Idol Ignited Fox Leads; Above Average NBC

-Honorable Mention:
Criminal Minds R (CBS)

-Yesterday's Losers (Excluding Repeats):
Wife Swap (ABC), Big Brother (CBS), Supernanny (ABC), Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious (CW), Men in Trees (ABC)

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-Ratings Breakdown:
Before I get into the Wednesday overnight results, let me begin by talking about Carly Smithson's exit on American Idol last night. While nothing at this point should ever be a surprise to any of us, Carly leaving before Brooke White and Jason Castro is just an abomination. While I can sort of understand the giggly teens voting for “deer in headlights” Jason, who the heck is supporting this Carly Simon wannabe? Folks…I just don't get it. Do you?

Fox, of course, led the Wednesday overnight troops on the strength of American Idol, but the sharp year-to-year erosion stems from a two-hour edition of Idol airing on April 25, 2007. Second overall was an improved NBC, followed by CBS, ABC and the CW.

NBC opened the evening on a winning note, with the first half of a two-hour edition of Deal or No Deal at a healthy 6.6 rating/11 share in the overnights from 8-9 p.m. Second were Fox sitcoms ‘Til Death (4.2/ 7) and Back to You (4.8/ 8), followed by ABC's Wife Swap and CBS' Big Brother 9 tied at a 3.9/ 7 each. Last was America's Next Top Model on the CW at a 3.2/ 6.

Speaking as a fan of ‘Til Death, JB Smoove as Kenny Westchester is an absolute hoot. If Fox grants the worthy ‘Til Death a third season, we need to see JB on a regular basis. As for Big Brother, so long Sheila. I would say that the final two, Ryan and Adam, are equally matched at this point, wouldn't you?

Naturally, Fox's American Idol led the 9 p.m. hour (and the night overall), with a 14.2/21 in the overnights. Second was a repeat of CBS' Criminal Minds (6.6/10), which holds up well opposite Idol even in an encore, followed by the concluding half of NBC's expanded Deal or No Deal (6.3/10), ABC's below-average Supernanny (3.8/ 6), and Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious on the CW. Overall, Deal or No Deal averaged a healthy 6.4/10 from 8-10 p.m. Now that The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Board of Governors has voted to create a new Emmy award category for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program, I think that Howie Mandel belongs on the ballot.

NBC moved into the winner's circle at 10 p.m., with veteran Law & Order at a 9.0/15 in the overnights. Next was a repeat of CBS' CSI: NY (5.7/ 9), followed by ABC's Men in Trees (3.5/ 6), which is now officially back on hiatus. Boston Legal moves into the Wednesday 10 p.m. hour on ABC next week.

Wednesday 4/23/08

Household Rating/Share
Fox: 9.3/15
NBC: 7.3/12
CBS: 5.3/ 9
ABC: 3.7/ 6
CW: 2.6/ 4

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-Percent Change From the Year-Ago Evening (Wednesday, April 25, 2007)
NBC: +66, CW: -13, CBS: -22, ABC: -24, Fox: -43,

Source: Nielsen Media Research data

-- Marc Berman

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