TV Ratings: 'Dancing,' 'House' lead ABC, FOX Monday split

'Chuck' and 'Big Bang Theory' are both down with new episodes

By Daniel Fienberg Tuesday, May 4, 2010 11:47 AM

Pamela Anderson of 'Dancing with the Stars'

Credit: ABC

Fast National ratings for Monday, May 3, 2010.

"Dancing with the Stars" delivered another strong Monday to push ABC to a win overall, while "House" (and a two-hour primetime programming window) pushed FOX to another demo win.

Meanwhile, "Chuck" dropped against increased competition, while a special 9 p.m. airing of "Big Bang Theory" suggested that the comedy isn't quite ready to lose its "Two and a Half Men" lead-in just yet.

Among adults 18-49, FOX averaged a 3.4 for the night, nipping the 3.3 rating for ABC and the 3.2 rating for CBS in the key demographic. NBC wasn't part of the logjam, finishing fourth with a 1.6 rating, beating the 0.9 rating for The CW.

Overall, ABC dominated with an estimated 15.02 million viewers and a 9.6 rating/15 share. CBS' 5.9/9 was a distant second, with FOX's 5.7/9 in a close third. NBC's 3.5/6 was fourth, still comfortably ahead of the 1.3/2 for The CW.

In the 8 p.m. hour, ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" ruled with an 11.8/19 and tied for first in the demo with a 3.8 rating. FOX's "House" was second overall with a 6.0/10 and tied for first in the demo. CBS' "How I Met Your Mother" and "Rules of Engagement" were third with a 4.7/7, beating the 3.2/5 for "Chuck," which also fell to a 1.9 demo rating. The CW's "One Tree Hill" was fifth, steady from last week.

At 9 p.m. "Dancing with the Stars" (13.3/20 and a 4.5 demo) and "Romantically Challenged" (6.8/11 and a 2.5 rating) were first overall. CBS' new "Big Bang Theory" and a "Big Bang Theory" repeat finished second overall with a 6.7/10 and won the demo with a 4.1 rating. FOX's "24" had a 5.4/8 for third. A repeat of "Law & Order" was fourth for NBC. The CW's "Gossip Girl" had a 1.2/2 for fifth.

Overall, "Castle" won the 10 p.m. hour with a 7.0/12, beating the 6.3/11 for CBS' "CSI: Miami," though CBS' procedural had a slim advantage in the 18-49 demo. NBC's new "Law & Order" was well back in third.

All ratings information comes from preliminary Fast National Nielsen data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are subject to change.

Daniel Fienberg
Executive Editor

A long-time member of the TCA Board and a longer-time blogger of "American Idol," Dan Fienberg writes about TV, except for when he writes about movies or sometimes writes about the Red Sox. But never music. He would sound stupid talking about music.