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Households: #1. Fox 7.4 rating/11.1 share; #2. CBS 7.2/11.2; #3. ABC 4.9/7.6; #4. NBC 4.3/6.3; #5. The CW 0.9/1.3
Total Viewers: #1. Fox 12.76 million; #2. CBS 11.66 million; #3. ABC 7.6 million; #4. NBC 6.7 million; #5. The CW 1.3 million.
Adults 18-49: #1. Fox 4.4 rating/11.0 share; #2. CBS 2.9/7.5; #3. ABC 2.5/6.3; #4. NBC 1.9/4.8, #5. The CW 0.6/1.5

Week 18 (Jan. 16-22) Analysis: Week 18 had the return of American Idol on Fox and even though both airings were down about 25% each, it was still enough for a first place finish so far. The first four night network averages has Fox on top in all categories over CBS. ABC follows in third everywhere. And then NBC is back in fourth place, where it deserves to be. When the week is over with, Fox will win the week as they have also most of the NFL NFC Championship Game in primetime tonight. I'm not sure if Idol itself would have carried Fox to number one, but it probably would have. It's just that the NFC game will make them do it for sure. CBS should be in a comfortable second place, even with no NFL for them in primetime this week. ABC and NBC will likely remain as is in third and fourth place. More on the prediction of week 18 below. As for last week, week 17, CBS won the week in all key categories thanks to the primetime NFL Divisional Playoff Game on Saturday. Fox was in second everywhere as the overrun on Sunday night for the NFL Divisional Playoff game certainly boosted them big time. ABC was third in all categories, while NBC was fourth across the board with no NFL to help them at all. Even the Golden Globes couldn't get them out of 4th.

On Monday, it was a CBS victory with new episodes. First, on ABC, The Bachelor started it off from 8-10pm with 7.43 million and a 2.4 18-49 rating, up some from previous week's series low. I think it will likely go higher and higher now. At 10pm, Castle was all-new and did a solid 9.41 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, down a tenth from its previous week. For CBS, How I Met Your Mother was new doing 10.08 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, which is great and up from its last outing a few weeks back. Then a new episode of the breakout hit 2 Broke Girls followed doing a better 11.4 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, with nice builds from the lead-in like usual. At 9pm, a new Two and a Half Men did 13.02 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, which is great but down from normal and couldn't build from the lead-in like it always does. A new Mike & Molly followed and did 11.09 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, its usual showing. A new Hawaii Five-0 was next doing 10.73 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating. Fox premiered new drama Alcatraz with a two-hour premiere, as House will return tomorrow, and did 10.05 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating. That's solid and similar to the Terra Nova launch, but can this series do better than that show in subsequent weeks? NBC preempted its 8-10pm block of Who's Still Standing? and Fear Factor for an old staple, Betty White! And guess what? She delivered. The special Betty White's 90th Birthday Celebration did 13.86 million and a 2.7 18-49 rating, skewing a bit old but it improved the timeslot in 18-49. A preview episode of upcoming hidden camera series Betty White's Off Their Rockers got sampled with 12.26 million and as 2.6 18-49 rating. Perhaps the 90th birthday should have been two-hours and the hidden camera series preview in the 10pm hour? Why? Because at 10pm, NBC aired a new episode of Rock Center with Brian Williams and it did just 5.57 million and a 1.3 18-49 rating, up from previous week's series low but still so low. The CW was half all-new, at 8pm a new Gossip Girl did 1.29 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, which is not good. At 9pm a repeat of Hart of Dixie did 790,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

On Tuesday, with CBS in repeats, it was Fox with the win in young adults. CBS had a repeat of NCIS do 13.23 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, its usual repeat style ratings. Then a repeat of NCIS: Los Angeles did 9.4 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, a below normal repeat performance. And at 10pm, a repeat of Unforgettable did 7.45 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. This show has done OK, but I think CBS can do better. ABC started with new comedy Last Man Standing with Tim Allen leading the night off doing a solid 8.59 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating for a new showing, which was up from previous week's low when the New Hampshire primary results were before it for a few minutes (some market preemptions also). At 8:30pm a repeat followed, as Work It has been canned, doing 6.52 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating. Then at 9pm, ABC aired a new Celebrity Wife Swap and did 5.84 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week again and solid. This is reality filler until the new drama The River launches on Feb. 7. Body of Proof was next at 10pm and was also new doing 7.94 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which was on par with previous week but up a million in total viewers. Fox aired a new Glee and did only 7.5 million and a 3.1 18-49 rating, solid but this show is no longer a top hit. How quickly the downfall happened. Then the comedies took the 9pm hour with a new showing of New Girl doing 6.97 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, solid and its usual build out of the lead-in. Then at 9:30pm a new Raising Hope did 5.03 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which could be better. NBC was next with The Biggest Loser from 8-10pm doing 6.66 million and a 2.3 18-49 rating, which is down a tenth only from the previous week. At 10pm, NBC aired a new Parenthood and did just 4.97 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, which is on par with previous week but below normal again. The CW started it off with a new 90210 and did 1.25 million and a 0.6 18-49 rating, not good. Then at 9pm, Ringer was preempted for the premiere of new reality series Remodeled and did only 670,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating. Not good at all!

Wednesday it was Fox with the win even though Idol returned with 25% lower numbers than last season's premiere. First, CBS started the night off with a repeat of NCIS doing 9.0 million and a 1.5 18-49 rating. Then fat 9pm, a new Criminal Minds did 13.0 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, below normal. And at 10pm a new CSI did 12.02 million and a 2.8 18-49 rating, perhaps a bit above normal thanks to the penultimate episode of Marg Helgenberger. ABC was all-new for its Laugh On comedy block with The Middle doing 8.08 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is solid but down week-to-week thanks to Idol. It just isn't that bad of a drop, which is good news. Suburgatory followed at 8:30pm with 7.05 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, down from previous week and the drop isn't that bad either. The mega hit Modern Family was next at 9pm and it did 11.89 million and 5.1 18-49 rating for a new episode, on par with from previous week even with the Idol premiere airing. At 9:30pm, Happy Endings was new and did 6.05 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, solid and down just a tenth from previous week. At 10pm a new episode of the addicting Revenge did 7.67 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. ABC Wednesday returns with new episodes on Feb. 8, as the next two weeks are repeats. As mentioned, Fox aired the two-hour season premiere of American Idol doing 21.93 million and a 7.4 18-49 rating, down nearly 25% from last season. It will likely drop a point or so this Wednesday, so while still a big hit, other shows are competing decently now. NBC opened the night with a new episode of the terrible series Whitney doing 4.15 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, for a series low. Week two of Are You There, Chelsea followed with only 4.21 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down from its premiere. Not good for both sitcoms. At 9pm, Harry's Law was all-new doing 6.41 million and only a 1.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth week-to-week. And at 10pm, Law & Order: SVU was new too and did 6.42 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, down some from previous week. The CW had a new One Tree Hill at 8pm doing 1.53 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, down some from previous week, but better 18-49 rating than the Mon and Tues series at 8pm, yet this show is ending this season. Then at 9pm a repeat of Remodeled did only 560,000 viewers and a 0.3 18-49 rating.

Thursday it was Fox just barely over CBS. Starting with ABC, they opened the night with a new Winter Wipeout doing 5.85 million and a 1.8 18-49 rating, but down from previous week as it got affected by Idol. At 9pm, a new Grey's Anatomy aired doing 9.42 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down some from the previous week but still won its time period. At 10pm, Private Practice was next and did a solid 6.0 million and a 2.1 18-49 rating, which was down some from previous week and could be better. CBS opened with a new The Big Bang Theory at 15.83 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, great and the same as previous week even with Idol airing. In fact, it beat that show in its first half-hour! Wow. Then week two of Rob was next doing 11.41 million and a 3.5 18-49 rating, down from the premiere obviously. Still decent, but will it stay in this range? If it does, CBS will bring this show back for sure. A new Person of Interest benefited from the stronger lead-in and did 14.4 million and a 3.2 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. A new The Mentalist followed and did 14.22 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up from previous week. Fox aired the Thursday premiere of American Idol at 8pm doing 18.02 million and a 5.7 18-49 rating, great but also down big from last season's premiere. Can it stay in this area or will it drop this week? Then a new episode of The Finder at 9pm totally squandered the lead-in and did just 6.58 million and a 2.2 18-49 rating, but up from its premiere. Still not good. NBC was all-new with a new 30 Rock up first doing just 4.05 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, for a series low and look on par with Community maybe. Then Parks and Recreation was next doing 4.25 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week. The Office was next at 9pm doing 6.02 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, up a tenth from previous week. At 9:30pm Up All Night was new and did just 3.98 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and no better than Whitney. Face it, NBC doesn't have any scripted hits. At 10pm, a new episode of new drama The Firm did only 3.42 million and a 0.9 18-49 rating, which is down some from previous week and maybe lower than. Prime Suspect style. Total mismatch out of these comedies. The CW's big gun Vampire Diaries was all-new and did 2.71 million and a 1.1 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week. Why so low? At 9pm, new drama The Secret Circle was new and did 1.63 million and a 0.7 18-49 rating, also down a tenth from previous week.

Now, final numbers for Friday and Saturday are not available, but ABC won Friday night with CBS dramas in repeats. ABC was #1 at 8pm with the season premiere of Shark Tank which had its highest total viewers ever and won the hour with a prelim 1.7 18-49 rating and besting usual timeslot leader Kitchen Nightmares on Fox. The return of What Would You Do? was solid and 20/20 won the night at 10pm. NBC's Chuck was new but of course low at 8pm, while Grimm won 9pm, edging ABC. Fox had Fringe do terrible at 9pm and it doesn't look like another season is coming.
Saturday numbers have ABC and NBC tied on a low rated night, but Betty White encores saved NBC again from last place as it tied ABC's movie Over the Hedge. Fox and CBS were close behind, with Cops the highest rated program of the night.

Tonight ABC's regular Sunday of AFV, Once Upon a Time, Desperate Housewives and Pan Am is all-new again! Look for some below normal ratings opposite the NFC Championship Game, but Once Upon a Time should still do solid. NBC has no NFL anymore on Sundays (except the Super Bowl) until next fall, so they will be dead last tonight with Dateline & two Prime Suspect burn-off episodes. CBS has an all-new 60 Minutes at 7pm followed by a new Undercover Boss, but then repeats of The Good Wife and CSI: Miami. CBS will likely be third place behind Fox and ABC. Fox has the NFC Championship Game that will easily win the night of course. Giants or 49ers? NBC is hoping for the Giants to face the Patriots in the Super Bowl, I'm sure.

As for the week (week 18), it should be Fox with the win easily thanks to NFC Championship Game and Idol. CBS will be second, followed by ABC, then NBC fourth for the week. As for the coming week (week 19), Fox returns House to Mondays at 8pm, but that show is almost dead anyway. The state of the Union is on Tuesday and lots of repeats the rest of the week as we wait for February sweeps to start on Feb. 2. Fox will have a preview episode of the new drama Touch on Wednesday at 9pm, as that will air regularly starting in March on Monday nights. Seems weird to air it right now, though. Pick of the week: Shark Tank on ABC Friday. So addicting!

Week 18 How the Sitcoms Did

Last Sunday Sitcoms (counts for Week 17 -- Jan. 9-15)

• The Simpsons (Fox) - A new episode did 11.48 million and a 5.4 18-49 rating as it aired directly after the NFL Divisional Playoff Game in the east and central zones. So of course it is inflated as the previous week only did a 2.3 18-49 rating.
• Napoleon Dynamite (Fox) 2 airings - The series premiere was sampled thanks to the NFL jump starting the night for Fox. The premiere at 8:30pm did 8.74 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating. A second episode at 9:30pm did 6.88 million and a 3.3 18-49 rating. Both good, but it won't be this much when it airs again, which is next week as it is preempted tonight for the NFL NFC Championship Game.
  
• The Cleveland Show (Fox) - preempted.
  
• Bob's Burgers (Fox) - preempted.
  
• Family Guy (Fox) - A new showing did 8.31 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, its best ratings in a long time and it can thank the NFL for that. Previous week was a 3.1 18-49 rating, so expect something similar to that next week.
• American Dad! (Fox) - preempted.
  

Monday Sitcoms

• How I Met Your Mother (CBS) - A new episode did 10.08 million and a 4.4 18-49 rating, which is up nicely from its previous new episode a few weeks ago. A resurgent season.
  
• 2 Broke Girls (CBS) - A new episode did 11.4 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating, which is great and like usual built on its lead-in.
  
• Two and a Half Men (CBS) - 13.02 million and a 4.6 18-49 rating for a new showing is great but below average for this show and it seems to be headed south now. Pretty soon 2 Broke Girls will have a higher 18-49 rating maybe for new episodes.
  
• Mike & Molly (CBS) - A new episode did 11.09 million and a 3.8 18-49 rating, solid but the weak link of this block now. I think if it were moved elsewhere it wouldn't do as well, but it is a solid performer.
  

Tuesday Sitcoms

• Last Man Standing (ABC) 2 airings - A new episode in its 8pm half-hour did 8.59 million and a 2.6 18-49 rating, up sharply from previous week which was messed up because of some preemptions for New Hampshire primary and all markets started it a few minutes late. A repeat at 8:30pm did solid for a repeat doing 6.52 million and a 2.0 18-49 rating, beating Work It's previous episode.
  
• Cougar Town (ABC) - Returns Feb. 14 at 8:30/7:30c! Tune in and spread the word. Penny Can!
  
• New Girl (Fox) - A new episode did 6.97 million and a 3.4 18-49 rating, which is now its normal number after a huge start in the fall.
  
• Raising Hope (Fox) - A new episode did 5.03 million and 2.3 18-49 rating. It is just not a hit that Fox wants it to be. Perhaps a family comedy lead-in and an earlier timeslot would be better.
  

• The Middle (ABC) - A new showing did 8.08 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, its solid against Idol.
  
• Suburgatory (ABC) - A new episode did 7.05 million and a 2.5 18-49 rating, which is also solid but down from previous week.
  
• Whitney (NBC) - A new episode did just 4.15 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, which is actually down from previous week as thought.
  
• Are You There, Chelsea? (NBC) - Week two did only 4.21 million and a 1.7 18-49 rating, down from its premiere and in trouble it looks like. Not good.
  
• Modern Family (ABC) - A new episode did 11.89 million and a 5.1 18-49 rating, on par with previous week even with Idol's premiere airing.
  
• Happy Endings (ABC) - A new episode did 6.05 million and a 2.9 18-49 rating, solid and only down a tenth from previous week against the highest rated half-hour of Idol. Hilarious episode, too! "Black Ass."
  

Thursday Sitcoms

• The Big Bang Theory (CBS) - A new episode did 15.83 million and a 5.3 18-49 rating, great and it beat Idol head-to-head. On par with previous week and it will be the highest rated scripted series for the week.
  
• Rob (CBS) - Week two did 11.41 million and a 3.6 18-49 rating, which is solid against Idol. Down from the premiere, but if it can stay right here, we'll see more of Rob Schneider next season.
  
• 30 Rock (NBC) - A new episode did just 4.05 million and a 1.6 18-49 rating, for a series low. This just isn't a 8pm comedy or a self-starter.
  
• Parks and Recreation (NBC) - A new episode followed with only 4.25 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, on par with previous week but still low. No one cares about NBC's comedies, because they are so niche and not broad.
  
• The Office (NBC) - A new airing at 9pm did 6.02 million and a 3.0 18-49 rating, by far the best of the block for NBC and up a tenth from previous week.
  
• Up All Night (NBC) - A new airing did 3.98 million and a 1.9 18-49 rating, down a tenth from previous week and still Whitney style. Not good. Time to bring back Christina Applegate's Samantha Who instead.
  

Friday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Saturday Sitcoms

• None.
  

Airing tonight (Sunday) are no comedies, as Fox's animated comedies are preempted for the NFL NFC Championship Game from 6:30pm-10pm.

Summing it up. The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, Mike & Molly, New Girl, Rob, Happy Endings, Last Man Standing were impressive for the week. Everything else was OK (such as The Office, The Middle) or just plain old terrible (such as Whitney, 30 Rock).