'Big Bang' hits series high, 'Accidentally' rises

UPDATED: How high can "Big Bang Theory" go?

The CBS comedy hit set another series record Monday night, racking up 13.5 million viewers and a 5.3 rating among adults 18-49. That's a 6% gain from last week.

CBS' freshman comedy "Accidentally on Purpose" also had some good news. "Purpose" (8.3 million, 3.3) was up 10% to match its previous high, losing only a tenth of a point of its  lead in from an on par "How I Met Your Mother" (8.1 million, 3.4).

CBS' "Two and a Half Men" (14.1 million, 4.8) and "CSI: Miami" (13.2 million, 3.9) were likewise in line with last week and helped CBS win the night.

Since its premiere, "Accidentally" has been in a ratings netherworld that's kept the jury out of the courtroom. It's the lowest-rated show on CBS' highly rated lineup, yet clearly compatible for the block and posts numbers other networks would be thrilled to gain from a freshman show. This week's boost doesn't make the show's fate any clearer, but maintaining its lead-in is a promising sign.

On second-place Fox, sports lead-ins typically boost primetime shows, but not when its ALCS baseball going into a hit drama like "House" (11.7 million, 4.5). Pushed to a late start, "House" was down 13%. "Lie to Me" (7.8 million, 2.9) was up a tenth despite being displaced.

ABC's "Dancing With the Stars" (16.8 million, 3.6) was flat, as was "Castle" (9.7 million, 2.4) was up a tenth. 

NBC's "Heroes" (5.7 million, 2.5) was up a tick and "Trauma" (5.5 million, 1.8) was flat after last week's slight rise. "Jay Leno Show" (4.7 million, 1.4) had its lowest-rated Monday of the season.

On the CW, "One Tree Hill" (2.2 million, 1.0) and "Gossip Girl" (2.0 million, 1.1) slipped.