RATINGS RECAP: 2/28/12

ABC
8:00 Last Man Standing
Viewers: 7.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
8:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 4.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
9:00 The River
Viewers: 4.0 million, 1 8-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 Body of Proof
Viewers: 6.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

CBS
8:00 NCIS
Viewers: 18.2 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 NCIS: Los Angeles
Viewers: 15.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.1
10:00 Unforgettable
Viewers: 9.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

NBC
8:00 The Biggest Loser
Viewers: 5.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Parenthood
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 16.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.1

On Tuesday night, FOX had a special airing of American Idol. The good news was it dominated the competition as usual and was a big improvement for FOX from its regular shows. The bad news was it remained down in a huge way from last year just like the Wednesday/Thursday airings. NBC started off with The Biggest Loser which was down nine tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo for a season low. The drop is not surprising against Idol. At 10pm, the season finale of Parenthood was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. It helped this bubble show that it once again rallied for the season finale. My gut instinct says it's coming back for another season but it's not a sure thing by any means.

CBS had a mixed night. NCIS was down 1.1 million viewers and a tenth in the demo. Like it used to all the time when it aired regularly on Tuesdays, American Idol can put a dent in NCIS' ratings. At 9pm, NCIS: Los Angeles was up four tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo, rebounding from last week's odd drop in the demo. At 10pm, Unforgettable was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low. CBS can do better in this slot. There's no way they'll accept a high 1 demo here.

Over on ABC, Last Man Standing was even in viewers and the demo from last week, which is not bad since the competition from FOX was fiercer. This show seems to hold up no matter what's going on around it. At 8:30pm, Cougar Town was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for a series low. Even with a syndication year looming, will ABC renew a show that's doing Work It style numbers? At 9pm, The River was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This show is a goner after its short season ends. At 10pm, Body of Proof was up two tenths in viewers but down a tenth in the demo.