TV Ratings: "Grey's Anatomy" Beats "CSI" Despite Drop

Despite all controversy and backstage drama with ABC's "Grey's Anatomy", the medical series edged out CBS's blockbuster procedural becoming the most watched program in America last night.

The prime-time battle began at 8pm as a rerun of "CSI: Miami" clashed with ABC's "Ugly Betty". The sexy forensic drama came out on top with 12,43 million vs. 9,83 million viewers who tuned into ABC's award-winning comedy.

Neither show, however, won the timeslot in the crucial 18-49 demo - that honor went to NBC's back-to-back comedies "My Name Is Earl" and "The Office".

Over on the CW, an original installment of "Smallville" nabbed a rather decent 4,98 million viewers (at least by CW standards). The drama is however down 250,000 viewers from last week's "Justice League" episode despite facing only repeats.

"Grey's Anatomy" scored 21,4 million, while CSI pulled in 20,94 million. Last year however, without "Grey's Anatomy" in the competitive mix, "CSI" was averaging as many as 25,2 million viewers.

As for "Grey's", the drama is down 1,4 million viewers since the Golden Globes. Could the controversy be taking a little toll after all?

At 10pm "Shark" beat out "ER", while ABC's "Men In Trees" was the last in the timeslot (10,98 million). Nevertheless, the romantic drama managed to hit season high in the 18-49 demo.

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