Fox’s second annual “Idol Gives Back” fundraiser is a huge hit for charity but less of one in the ratings. For the second straight year, the special two-hour celebrity-draped episode hit a season low.

Last night’s “Idol” averaged a 6.7 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen overnights, down 33 percent from a 10 rating last year. The show actually began at 7:30, but ratings were only available for the 8 to 10 p.m. portion at press time. Last year's show also included a results portion that likely helped shore up ratings.

"Idol" was not the usual competition but rather more of a compilation of performances and bits by actors and singers to help raise money for a number of different charities. Last year’s event raised in excess of $60 million.

Still, even a down “Idol” whacked everything else on broadcast last night, more than doubling the No. 2 network. Fox finished first for the night with a 6.7 average overnight rating and an 18 share. CBS was second at 2.8/7, ABC third at 2.2/6, NBC fourth at 1.9/5, Univision fifth at 1.6/4 and CW sixth at 1.0/3.
 
At 8 p.m. Fox was first with a 6.4 for an hour of “American Idol,” followed by NBC with a 2.4 for “Deal or No Deal.” CBS was third with a 2.1 for “Big Brother,” Univision fourth with a 1.8 for “Al Diablo con los Guapos,” ABC fifth with a 1.6 for a repeat of “Wife Swap” and CW sixth with a 1.1 for “America’s Next Top Model.”
 
Fox led again at 9 p.m. with a 7.0 for another hour of “Idol,” while CBS moved to second with a 3.3 for “Criminal Minds.” ABC was third with a 2.2 for “Supernanny,” Univision fourth with a 1.7 for “Pasion,” NBC fifth with a 1.5 for a repeat of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and CW sixth with a 0.9 for “The Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious.”
 
With Fox out at 10 p.m. CBS took the lead with a 3.1 for “CSI: NY.” ABC was second that hour with a 2.7 for a special “Primetime,” NBC third with a 1.8 for a “Law & Order” rerun and Univision fourth with a 1.3 for “Don Francisco Presenta.”
 
Fox also finished first for the night among households with a 10.3 average overnight rating and a 16 share. CBS was second at 6.8/11, NBC third at 4.7/8, ABC fourth at 4.3/7, Univision fifth at 2.0/3 and CW sixth at 1.5/2.