Sweeps special: A 'CSI' round robin

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TV This Week
Sweeps special: A 'CSI' round robin
By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Nov 12, 2009 - 1:00:54 AM

It's not surprising that the "CSI" shows are doing a three-night crossover during the November sweeps. What's surprising is that it took CBS this long to coordinate such a stunt.

The case, about a hostage situation that leads the CSIs to a prostitution ring, wraps up tonight at 9 p.m. on the original "CSI" after starting Monday on "CSI: Miami" and continuing last night on "CSI: NY."

The "CSI" characters have crossed over between two shows before but never three. It comes at a welcome time for the original "CSI," whose ratings have been declining steeply the past few years.

The show has slumped to series lows among adults 18-49 this season, falling to third in its timeslot behind ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and NBC's "The Office." Last week's episode averaged a 3.5 adults 18-49 rating, according to Nielsen, putting it behind "CSI: Miami" for the week, something that rarely happens.

"CSI" has actually held up very well for a show now in its 10th season, but age and cast shakeups have begun taking a toll. Over the past two years, three original cast members have exited, which certainly explains some of the ratings decline.

But this crossover should give "CSI" a lift, even if it's temporary. Monday's "CSI: Miami" averaged a 4.0 rating, down slightly from the show's season average but up 11 percent from its most recent episode. "CSI: Miami" also grew by nearly 2 million viewers from the previous week, to 14.38 million, which should put it among the top 10 shows this week.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	“Good Morning America” (N)	Dolly Parton and Kate Walsh both guest.
8 p.m.	Fox	“Bones” (D)	The crew looks into the death of a small wrestler.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)	Kim Raver plays a new cardiothoracic surgeon.
9 p.m.	CBS	“CSI” (D)	Final part of the three-way “CSI” crossover.
9 p.m.	NBC	“The Office” (C)	Michael starts acting strangely after rumors spread about the company.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Private Practice” (D)	Addison and Sam run into a couple trapped inside a car after an accident.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	CBS	“Ghost Whisperer” (D)	Melinda is led to a murdered body by its ghost.
8 p.m.	CW	“Smallville” (D)	Clark gets in trouble with the law.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Ugly Betty” (D)	Daniel brings Amanda to one of his support group meetings.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Medium” (D)	Ariel has a new boyfriend, but Allison thinks he’s a killer.
9 p.m.	USA	“Monk” (D)	Monk looks for someone who’s trying to ruin a wedding.
10:30 p.m.	ESPN	“NBA Basketball” (S)	The Lakers face off against the Nuggets in Denver.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Time	Network	Program	Description
3:30 p.m.	ABC	“College Football” (S)	Hugely important Big Ten game between Iowa and Ohio State.
8 p.m.	Fox	“Cops” (R)	Cops in California look for a man wanted for domestic violence and burglary.
8 p.m.	Telemundo	“Soccer” (S)	Mexican league match between Chivas and Cruz Azul should draw a good Hispanic audience.
8 p.m.	Nickelodeon	“iCarly” (C)	Carly tries to get Lewbert and his ex-fiancée back together.
9 p.m.	Hallmark Channel	“Flower Girl” (M)	A florist gets caught up in a love triangle.
11:30 p.m.	NBC	“Saturday Night Live” (C)	January Jones hosts and the Black Eyed Peas perform.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Time	Network	Program	Description
3:15 p.m.	ABC	“NASCAR Racing” (S)	Sprint Cup race from Phoenix.
8 p.m.	Fox	“The Simpsons” (C)	Marge poses for a calendar for charity and some racy photos are leaked. To Playboy, apparently.
8:15 p.m.	NBC	“NFL Football” (S)	AFC rivals New England and Indianapolis square off.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Desperate Housewives” (D)	Gaby does all she can to get Juanita into a Catholic school.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Family Guy” (C)	Quagmire becomes a father and realizes it’s not his thing.
9 p.m.	Showtime	“Dexter” (D)	Dexter thinks the Trinity Killer is heading out of town.
10 p.m.	E!	“Girls Next Door” (R)	Hef and the girls head to Italy for a music festival.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.