'Dead Ringer' Hot On The Tail Of 'Friends'

See Also: 'Dead Ringer' Episode Guide

Even though CSI: Crime Scene Investigation drew 26.25 million viewers to Friends's 23.80 million, the sitcom's penultimate episode squeaked by to claim overall victory for the evening.

According to Mediaweek's Programming Insider, "Dead Ringer" earned a 18.0 rating/26 share. This means that 18.0% of households were watching CSI last night at 9pm, while 26% of all households watching television at the time were viewing the episode. Comparitively, Friends was just ahead of CSI in its time slot at 8pm, earning an 18.3/28.

CSI easily won its timeslot, performing well against the season finale of Will & Grace, which came in second for the hour with a score of 15.1/21. The sitcom drew 20.67 million viewers. Though CSI was 19% ahead in the overnights, it was bested by Will & Grace in the 18-49 age demo by 8%, scoring 9.2/23 to Will & Grace's 9.9/24.

CSI's lead in and lead out shows both took second place in their respective time slots. Survivor: All-Stars drew 20.23 million viewers and earned a rating of 12.2/18 against the new Friends episode and a Friends rerun. Without a Trace came in second place to ER in the 10pm hour. Without a Trace earned a 12.8/19 to ER's 16.5/25.

NBC came in first for the night with a rating of 16.1/24, while CBS was in second place with a 14.3/21. Next week, the hour-long series finale of Friends will air against CSI in the 9pm hour.

For more ratings information, please visit Mediaweek's Programming Insider!

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