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'NCIS' blasts competition; 'Mentalist' starts strong

Sep 24, 2008, 03:57 PM | by Tim Stack

Categories: Ratings, TV Biz, TV Ratings

Mentalist_l_2 It may not get a lot of media attention or garner a lot of buzz, but CBS' NCIS is a consistent winner in the ratings, and last night proved no different. The Mark Harmon series premiered to 17.8 million viewers, according to overnight ratings, winning the 8-9 p.m. time slot. NCIS actually seemed to take a bite out of House's audience, which dropped from last week's premiere of 14.4 million to 12.1 million this week. Meanwhile, even with some stiff competition, CBS' new drama The Mentalist, starring Simon Baker (pictured), debuted to an impressive 15.6 million.

Elsewhere,  ABC's new game show Opportunity Knocks got knocked on its butt with a debut of only 6.7 million; The CW's controversial 90210 dipped about 10 percent from last week's 3.3 million to 3 million; and NBC's weight loss competition, The Biggest Loser: Families, dipped to 7.2 million, down from last week's premiere of 7.8 million.

The rest of the night was pretty much dominated by ABC's behemoth Dancing With the Stars. Comedian Jeffrey Ross was dismissed, but the dancing show still saw 18.2 million viewers. All of the new debuts, though, caused Fox's sci-fi drama Fringe to drop 28 percent from last week's audience of 13.4 million; this week, the Joshua Jackson series nabbed just 9.7 million. Even more disappointing were the numbers for The CW's charming Privileged at 1.9 million, down 500,000 viewers from last week's premiere of 2.4 million. In the 10 p.m. hour, Without a Trace premiered in its new Tuesday night time slot with 11.4 million viewers, down about 32 percent from last year's premiere, although that was when Trace was still on Thursdays and benefited from CSI's lead-in. Also taking a drop was NBC's Law & Order: SVU, which only saw 9.6 million viewers, down from last year's premiere of 12.1 million.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Gillian Flynn's review of The Mentalist
Ausiello Files: Meet Gibbs' new team on NCIS
The long, winding career of Mark Harmon
Gillian Flynn's review of Fringe
Are the skinny starlets of 90210 setting a bad example?


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noeqvgkis rzcjd Fri, Jan 2, 2009 at 02:19 AM EST

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jello Wed, Oct 1, 2008 at 12:42 PM EST

NCIS is a great show! Nice to know that some other people think so too. :)

silver star46 Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 02:51 PM EST

i Love ncis, i think that the show doesnt get the credit it deserves!!.... it should have more media attention .. it wuld get so many more viewers i love that show!!

bjc Fri, Sep 26, 2008 at 01:43 PM EST

I loved Simon Baker in Something New and The Devil Wears Prada. I think he is such a very good actor who has not had the breaks. Let's hope this is his big break. I am hooked on the Mentalist and hope he will have top ratings for this season

SHARON Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 06:54 PM EST

I hope The Mentalist does good because
I like Simon Baker I send him on The
Devil Wears Prada I hope there another
one and hope he will be in it Simon
and Anne Hathaway look good together.

Jeff Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 03:30 PM EST

Personally I'm hooked on The Mentalist. Yes, some of his "premonitions" were kind of dumb (like realizing the girl at the beginning was being molested by looking at a picture of an obviously uncomfortable girl sitting on her father's lap), but Baker was fun to watch and his chemistry with all the other characters was great. And they all seemed so "realized" already, like you can imagine their interactions a few years from now.

Michelle Thu, Sep 25, 2008 at 02:22 PM EST

This is not the week to look at numbers. I have my favorite shows; but, if I know I can tape them or view them afterward (internet, On Demand or whatever), I'll try other shows especially since I know a good part of them may not be around after a few weeks.

Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 08:55 PM EST

NCIS seem to survive both "Idol" and "Stars" which good for them and for me cause I enjoy it.

Sharlin Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 04:16 PM EST

I think Priviliged is a cute and quirky show.

Wed, Sep 24, 2008 at 03:36 PM EST

all these numbers say one thing for me.. that idol will continue to be easily nr 1 this season too. ( which makes me very happy)


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