Despite a minor ratings slide, "NCIS" took Tuesday night's top ratings slot and propelled CBS to an overall win, while Fox's Tuesday night comedy block returned from a four-week hiatus to significant losses, according to preliminary numbers.
"NCIS," on CBS at 8, was the evening's top-rated program in the adults 18-49 demographic, with a 3.9 rating/11 share in the demo and 19.3 million total viewers (which also made it the night's most-watched program). Combined with "NCIS: LA" at 9, which drew a 3.4/9 in the demo and 15.5 million total viewers, and "Unforgettable" at 10, which received a 2.3/6 in the demo and 11.2 million total viewers, the network scored an overall win for the night with an average 3.2/9 in the demo and 15.4 million total viewers.
Meanwhile at Fox, "Glee" returned from a month of baseball-imposed exile, suffering a 19 percent downturn from its last original airing with a 2.9/8 in the demo and 7.4 million total viewers. The recently launched series "New Girl" at 9 was also down 19 percent, dropping to a 3.5/9 and 7.5 million total viewers. "Raising Hope" rounded out the network's night of declines, dropping 14 percent to a 2.5/6 and 5.4 million total viewers.
NBC enjoyed a night of gains, with "The Biggest Loser" at 8 climbing 15 percent for a 2.3/6 in the demo and 6.3 million total viewers, and "Parenthood" closing the night at 10 with a 10 percent increase from its last original airing two weeks ago. It had a 2.2/6 in the demo and 5.2 million total viewers.
ABC's results were a mixed bag. The new Tim Allen comedy "Last Man Standing" at 8 had a 10 percent drop, taking a 2.6/8 and 9.2 million total viewers, while "Man Up" at 8:30 hit a series low, dropping 10 percent for a 1.8/5 and 6.5 million total viewers. The network recovered somewhat with the "Dancing With the Stars" results show at 9. It grew 8 percent for a 2.8/7 in the demo and 15.2 million total viewers. "Body of Proof" ended the night on an up note for the network, climbing 11 percent for a 2.0/5 in the demo and 10 million total viewers.
