Figures in grey represent repeats.
* The last new “Leno” of 2009 was also the lowest-rated ever; the series hit its new low against repeats of “Cougar Town” and “CSI: NY,” both of which beat it. (Again, this flies in the face of NBC’s assertion that “Leno” could improve its fortunes once its 10 p.m. competition went into repeats. This is the time of year we see those repeats.)
* On the other hand, Wednesday may have been the first night since summer in which “Leno” actually improved on its lead-in (in this case a repeat of “Mercy”).
* “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” tied for the night’s top spot in 18-49 despite the fact ABC already aired it this year.
* “Seagal” continues to see its fortunes plummet.
* The MTV special with maybe the year’s longest title, “The Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Ruins: The Shit They Should Have Shown,” fell hard from the previous week’s reunion special, which gave the series a season high (and a better rating than its finale two weeks ago).
Merry Chrismukkah!!