NBC scored a strong start to the smartly scheduled event series “A.D.: The Bible Continues” on Easter Sunday, though coupled with the soft debut of “American Odyssey” and a pair of “Datelines,” the network couldn’t top ABC in the key demo or CBS among total viewers.
ABC won among adults 18-49 simply by airing movie “The Ten Commandments,” another timely and topical programming choice.
For CBS, originals of “Madam Secretary” and “Battle Creek” dropped double digits, though the episodes were coded as specials due to the holiday.
ABC was first in ratings with a 1.4 rating/5 share in the advertiser-coveted demo and second in total viewers with an average of 6.8 million, according to preliminary numbers.
NBC was second in ratings with a 1.3/4 and third in viewers with 5.9 million. “Dateline” at 7 p.m. posted a 0.8/3 and 3.8 million viewers. A second hour at 8 received a 1.0/3 and 4.6 million viewers. “A.D.” at 9 debuted to a 2.3/7 and 9.5 million viewers — both highs on the night. “American Odyssey” at 10 premiered to a 1.2/4 and 5.4 million viewers.
CBS and Univision tied for third in ratings, both with a 0.9/3. CBS was first in viewers with 7.6 million, Univision was fourth with 2.3 million.
For CBS, “60 Minutes” at 7 had a 0.9/4 and 7.7 million viewers. “Madam Secretary” at 8 got a 1.1/4 and 9.1 million viewers. “The Good Wife” at 9 received a 1.0/3 and 7.8 million viewers. “Battle Creek” at 10 posted a 0.7/2 and 5.7 million viewers.
Fox was fifth in ratings with a 0.8/3 and in viewers with 2 million, airing entirely reruns.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.6 million.
13 of Hollywood's Most Famous Scientologists (Photos)
TOM CRUISE The "Mission Impossible" star has been an outspoken advocate of the Church for years, even debating Matt Lauer on Scientology's opposition to psychiatric care.
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JOHN TRAVOLTA/KELLY PRESTON The "Pulp Fiction" star and his wife are both practitioners of Scientology, with Travolta having flown Church volunteers to Haiti in 2010 to provide disaster relief.
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BECK The musician is a lifelong practitioner of Scientology, stating in a 2005 interview that his father has been a member of the Church for over 30 years.
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JASON LEE The "My Name is Earl" star's wife cited his devotion to Scientology as a cause of their divorce in 2001.
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ELISABETH MOSS The "Mad Men" actress has defended the Church in interviews, saying people are "misinformed" on many of its stances.
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NANCY CARTWRIGHT The voice of Bart Simpson caught flack when she used the voice in an advertisement for a Scientology conference in 2009.
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GRETA VAN SUSTEREN The Fox News commentator married into the Church after meeting her husband, John Coale.
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DANNY MASTERSON The former "That '70s Show" star and Scientologist took issue with the HBO documentary "Going Clear," saying, "I wonder if Sundance would allow a documentary of, like, eight people who hate Judaism?"
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ERIKA CHRISTENSEN The "Parenthood" star grew up in the Church and stated in an interview that they do not in fact "worship rabbits."
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JENNA ELFMAN The actress has actively supported Scientology-related charities, including the Citizens Commission on Human Rights: Psychiatry, Industry of Death."
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KIRSTIE ALLEY The actress credits the Church with helping her turn her life around. She also called former member Leah Remini a "bigot" for blasting Scientology.
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JULIETTE LEWIS The actress defended fellow Scientologist Tom Cruise after his fiery interview with Matt Lauer regarding Scientology's stance on psychiatry.
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GIOVANNI RIBISI The "Avatar" actor grew up in the Church, attending a Scientology school as a child.
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From Tom Cruise to Kirstie Alley, hordes of celebrities have been drawn to the religious movement founded by L. Ron Hubbard