'American Idol' gives Fox Tuesday win

By James Hibberd

April 9, 2008, ET

Reality shows jockeyed for position Tuesday night, including the debut of CBS' "Secret Talents of the Stars" and the second week of Fox's "Hell's Kitchen."

Fox won the night with "American Idol" (24 million viewers, 8.9 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and a 24 share) despite the veteran series dropping 7% this week to register its lowest Tuesday performance since 2003.

The "Idol" dip barely impacted "Hell's Kitchen" at 9 p.m. (11.7 million, 5.4/13). "Kitchen" was down only a tenth from last week's premiere despite having a smaller lead-in. The performance suggests that, with a little help from "Idol," Fox's usual summer series might be able to maintain a consistent top-shelf performance in spring.

NBC had a good night in second place, with "The Biggest Loser" posting its best number since January and up 12% week-to-week (9.1 million, 3.7/9). Its "Law & Order: SVU" repeat won the 10 p.m. hour (8.6 million, 2.9/8).

Coming in third, ABC was led by a season low "Dancing With the Stars" results show (16.5 million, 3.5/9), with the finale of "Just for Laughs" as a lead-in (5.6 million, 1.5/4) and "Boston Legal" holding court afterward (10.2 million, 2.4/7).

CBS' debut of "Secret Talents" came in last place in the 10 p.m. hour (8.3 million, 1.5/4) and below the recent average set by "Jericho." Up against "Idol" for the second time this season, the return of "NCIS" hit a season low (13.9 million, 2.9/8) while "Big Brother" was on par (6.3 million, 2.4/6).

The CW aired "Beauty and the Geek" (1.8 million, 0.8/2) and a repeat.

'American Idol' gives Fox Tuesday win

By James Hibberd

April 9, 2008, ET