They didn’t make nearly the splash that the network’s returning comedies made two weeks ago in their returns to season-high numbers, but CBS’s “Criminal Minds” and “CSI: NY” did manage to better their most recent original episodes last night in their return from a writers’ strike-induced hiatus.

“CSI: NY” averaged a 3.6 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen overnights, up 13 percent over its final original filmed before the strike, which averaged a 3.2 on Feb. 6. The drama also won its 10 p.m. timeslot.

“Minds” finished second in its slot, behind a dominant but season-low outing for Fox’s “American Idol.” The crime drama averaged a 3.4 rating, 6 percent better than a 3.2 for its most recent new episode on Jan. 23, though it was down from its season average of 3.8.

Both shows had been slipping when they went off the air, each hitting a series low earlier this year. But their returns didn’t receive anywhere near the attention that CBS’s comedies did when they became the first shows to come back from the strike.

The two dramas boosted CBS to second on the night behind Fox, which had a 6.6 average overnight rating and an 18 share for the night. CBS was second at 3.1/8, ABC third at 2.0/5, NBC fourth at 1.8/5, Univision fifth at 1.6/4 and CW sixth at 1.3/4.
 
At 8 p.m. Fox led with a 4.1 for the season finale of “The Moment of Truth,” with CBS second with a 2.2 for “Big Brother” and ABC and NBC tied for third at 2.0, ABC for “Wife Swap” and NBC for “Deal or No Deal.” CW was fifth that hour with a 1.9 for “America’s Next Top Model” and Univision sixth with a 1.8 for “Al Diablo con los Guapos.”
 
Fox led again at 9 p.m. with a 9.1 for “ Idol,” followed by CBS with a 3.4 for “Minds.” ABC was third with a 2.3 for “Supernanny,” Univision fourth with a 1.7 for “Pasion,” NBC fifth with a 1.4 for a repeat of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and CW sixth with a 0.7 for “The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.”
 
CBS took the lead at 10 p.m. with a 3.6 for “CSI: NY,” while NBC moved to second with a 1.9 for another “L&O: CI” repeat. ABC was third with a 1.5 for “Men in Trees” and Univision fourth with a 1.3 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”
 
Fox also led the night among households, finishing with a 10.5 average overnight rating and a 17 share. CBS was second at 6.8/11, NBC third at 4.8/8, ABC fourth at 3.8/6, Univision fifth at 2.1/3 and CW sixth at 2.0/3.