Overnights
Quiet tip of the hat to CBS's 'Jericho'
By Toni Fitzgerald
Mar 26, 2008 - 11:34:53 AM

It was a subdued farewell for “Jericho” last night. Ten months after CBS revived the post-apocalypse drama following a campaign by rabid fans, the show drew its second-lowest rating of the season for its series finale.

CBS canceled the show last week because of disappointing ratings for season two.

“Jericho” averaged a 1.9 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen overnights, off 5 percent from the previous week’s 2.0 and down 27 percent from a 2.6 for the second-season premiere last month.

“Jericho” nearly matched a season-low 1.8 rating, set earlier this month, but at least fans got a little closure this time when the show left the air.

CBS had the producers shoot two endings to this season, one a cliffhanger and one more close-ended to satisfy the fans who were instrumental in getting the show revived by sending 40,000 pounds of nuts to the network. Had “Jericho” been renewed for a third season, the cliffhanger ending would have aired.

But the show failed to show growth over its initial season. When CBS brought the show back, the network warned that its ratings would have to improve to warrant another season.

The show was very popular online, where it is one of the top downloads on iTunes, CBS.com and MSN.com.

Meanwhile, Fox was first for the night among viewers 18-49 with an 8.3 average overnight rating and a 21 share. ABC was second at 3.0/8, NBC third at 2.9/8, CBS fourth at 2.0/5, Univision fifth at 1.8/5 and CW sixth at 0.7/2.
 
At 8 p.m. Fox led with a 9.3 for the first hour of “American Idol,” followed by NBC with a 2.6 for the first half of “The Biggest Loser.” Univision was third with a 2.2 for “Al Diablo con los Guapos,” ABC fourth with a 2.1 for a “Dancing with the Stars” recap show, CBS fifth with a 1.9 for a repeat of “NCIS” and CW sixth with a 0.7 for “Beauty and the Geek.”
 
Fox led again at 9 p.m., this time with a 7.3 average for the last 30 minutes of “Idol” (10.1) and an episode of “'Til Death” (4.6), while ABC moved to second with a 3.8 for the “Stars” results show. NBC was third with a 3.5 for the second hour of “Biggest Loser,” CBS fourth with a 2.3 for “Big Brother,” Univision fifth with a 1.8 for “Pasion” and CW sixth with a 0.6 for a repeat of “Reaper.”
 
ABC took the lead at 10 p.m. with a 3.2 for “Primetime,” with NBC second with a 2.6 for a repeat of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” CBS was third with a 1.9 for “Jericho” and Univision fourth with a 1.4 for “Aqui y Ahora.”
 
Fox also finished first for the night among households with a 12.1 average overnight rating and a 19 share. ABC was second at 8.2/13, NBC third at 5.2/8, CBS fourth at 4.6/7, Univision fifth at 2.1/3 and CW sixth at 1.2/2.