Some like it not: ABC's critically reviled cross-dressing comedy "Work It," which was blasted by transgender activists even before it aired, isn't very popular with audiences, either.
The show debuted Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. to a soft 2.0 rating/5 share in the 18-49 demographic and 6.1 million total viewers, down 17 percent from the debut of the quickly cancelled "Man Up," the show that held its time period in the fall.
Also read: 'Work It' Ripped by LGBT Groups for Cross-Dressing Premise
ABC landed in third-place in the ratings, and CBS in first. CBS swept the top three ratings slots, starting with "NCIS" at 8, which was the evening's top-rated program. It rose 17 percent from its last original episode three weeks ago to a 4.2/11 in the demo and 20 million total viewers (which also made it the most-watched program of the night). "NCIS: LA" the following hour was also up 17 percent from its last original airing three weeks ago, receiving a 3.5/8 in the demo and 17 million total viewers. "Unforgettable" closed the night at 10 with a 14 percent boost from its last original three weeks ago, posting a 2.5/6 in the demo and 11.6 million total viewers. Overall the network scored an average 3.4/9 in the demo, far and away the night's best performance, and 16.2 million total viewers — also making it the most-watched network by far.
NBC scored second-place despite disappointments: The season premiere of "The Biggest Loser" at 8 plunged 30 percent from last January's premiere with a 2.3/6 and 6.4 million total viewers, making it the lowest-rated spring premiere for the series so far. "Parenthood" at 10 also suffered, dropping 19 percent from its last original airing five weeks ago and hitting a series low with a 1.7/4 in the demo and 4.9 million total viewers.
Also read: ABC Under Fire for Cross-Dressing Comedy 'Work It'
"Last Man Standing" began ABC's primetime slate at 8, drawing a 2.4/6 in the demo and 7.8 million total viewers. The premiere of "Celebrity Wife Swap" at 9, after "Work It" at 8:30, pulled a 2.2/5 in the demo and 6 million total viewers. The night closed on a down note for the network, with "Body of Proof" tying a series low with a 1.5/4 in the demo and 6.9 million total viewers.
Fox ran repeats throughout the evening.