'Two and a Half Men,' 'Big Bang,' 'HIMYM' all solid

Fast National ratings for Monday, Dec. 8, 2008

CBS cruised to a ratings victory Monday night, as "Two and a Half Men" and the rest of the network's comedy block put up solid numbers.

CBS averaged a 7.9 rating/12 share in primetime and second-place ABC (6.4/10) by close to 2 million viewers. NBC finished a distant third at 3.9/6. FOX, 3.3/6, was fourth, and The CW drew a 1.7/3 for fifth.

In the adults 18-49 demographic, CBS' 4.1 rating led the field by a comfortable margin. ABC, 2.9, came in second, followed by NBC at 2.6. FOX averaged 2.0 and The CW 1.2.

CBS led in households at 8 p.m. with "The Big Bang Theory," 6.7/10, and "How I Met Your Mother," 6.4/10. ABC, however, had more total viewers thanks to its annual showing of "A Charlie Brown Christmas," 6.3/10. "Chuck" scored a 4.4/7 for NBC. FOX took fourth with "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," 3.4/5, while The CW trailed with "Gossip Girl."

"Two and a Half Men," 9.6/14, and "Worst Week," 6.8/10, gave CBS sole possession of first place at 9 p.m. The series finale of "Boston Legal" earned a 6.2/9 for ABC, beating the 4.7/7 for "Heroes" on NBC (which did at least finish second in adults 18-49). "Prison Break" held steady for FOX. "Privileged" could muster only a 1.3/2 for The CW.

"CSI: Miami," 8.8/14, held the lead for CBS at 10 p.m. The "Boston Legal" finale improved to 6.7/11, while "My Own Worst Enemy" managed only a 2.5/4 for NBC.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.