'Trauma' disappoints; 'Big Bang' hits another high

UPDATED: The return of Fox's "Lie to Me" topped NBC's new medical-action drama "Trauma" in the ratings Monday night with both shows posting modest opening numbers.

Fox won the night, with chart-topping "House" (14.7 million viewers, 5.8 adults 18-49 rating) dipping a mild 13% from last week's heavily viewed two-hour opener. "Lie to Me" (7.7 million, 2.9) fell from its midseason debut and bled its "House" lead-in. Yet "Lie to Me" was up slightly from last year's early September debut of "Prison Break" in the slot and when compared to the same night last year, Fox more than doubled its Monday night performance.

CBS was a strong second place, with the second weeks of "Two and a Half Men" (13.9 million, 4.8) and "Big Bang Theory" (13.3 million, 5.3) climbing while up against "Trauma" this week instead of "Heroes." "Big Bang" rose 13% to hit series highs in viewers and the demo, proving yet again that pairing "Big Bang" and "Half Men" clearly works. If these standings continue in the coming weeks, "Big Bang" -- which struggled to keep pace with its fellow Monday comedies when it first launched -- could overthrow "Half Men" for the title of broadcast's highest-rated comedy.

In the 8 p.m. hour, "How I Met Your Mother" (8.7 million, 3.6) held firm, even without Neil Patrick Harris hosting the Emmys this week. New show "Accidentally on Purpose" (8 million, 3.1) was the only CBS comedy to drop in Week 2, slipping 6%. At 10 p.m., "CSI: Miami" (14 million, 4.1) slipped 5%.

ABC placed third with a two-hour "Dancing With the Stars" (17 million, 3.7) dropping 10% in the demo.  "Castle" (9.2 million, 2.2) fell a tenth.

In fourth, NBC aired "Heroes" (5.7 million, 2.5), falling 11%, and "Trauma" (6.7 million, 2.2). "Trauma" was down more than 23% from the premiere of NBC's "My Own Worst Enemy" last year. Critics were pretty harsh on the show too. At 10 p.m., "Jay Leno Show" (5.5 million, 1.7) was aligned with late last week's returns.

On the CW, "One Tree Hill" (2.5 million, 1.1) and "Gossip Girl" (2.4 million, 1.2) improved a bit.