TV Ratings: "Grey's Anatomy" Beats "American Idol"

"Grey's Anatomy" and "American Idol" did not air in the same timeslot last night and FOX aired a results show of the reality contest, but that doesn't make "Grey's Anatomy" victory any less significant. The medical drama pulled in season-high 27,28 million viewers who wanted to learn if Meredith died crushing C.S.I. on CBS in its path.

Meanwhile, FOX's "The O.C." also hit season-high with 6,76 million viewers which is quite understandable considering it was the series finale and the episode aired out of "American Idol".

Earlier in the evening, the "Idol" results show scored 24,17 viewers which was a season-low for the program, but that was also expected since it aired in a special Thursday slot and results show always generate lower ratings.

The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special at 10pm on ABC did much better than soon-to-relocate "Men In Trees" holding on to over 50% of "Grey's" mega-audience (15,78 million).

That means "Shark" on CBS was for once pushed to the second place with 14,26 million viewers and veteran "ER" on NBC finished last with only 9,92 million viewers. "ER" was however stronger than "Shark" in the 18-49 demo.

NBC comedies continue to deliver superior results in the first hour with "My Name Is Earl" (8,7 million) and "The Office" (8,23 million). It all goes downhill with "Scrubs" at 9pm (5,68 million) and hiatus-bound "30 Rock" at 9:30pm (4,58 million).

Finally, "Survivor" on CBS went head-to-head with "Idol" scoring only 13,59 million viewers followed by CSI at 9pm, the #3 show in America last night which nabbed 21,59 million pairs of eyeballs.

The highest rated network last night was ABC with an average of 17,59 million, followed by CBS (16,48 million), FOX (15,52 million) and NBC (7,84 million). The CW line-up was in repeats and it only scored 2,33 million viewers.

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