Despite a weak start, CBS ended the night on a strong note. The returns of Criminal Minds and CSI: NY allowed the network to win the viewers and the demos last night.

8pm

• Approximately 15.6 million said goodbye to Ted McGinley on Dancing with the Stars (3.6/10 in 18-49).
• Bones (9.6 million, 3.1/9) did about the same as last week.
• Knight Rider (7.3 million, 2.4/7) skidded into third place.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (2.1/6) had 6.7 million laughing. The series premiere of Gary Unmarried (6.8 million, 2.3/6) did slightly better than its lead-in.
• America’s Next Top Model (4.1 million, 2.1/6) was down a notch.

9pm

• Criminal Minds (4.4/11 in 18-49) snared 15.8 million.
• America’s Got Talent (10.2 million, 2.7/7) was down 1.8 million.
• David Blaine: Dive of Death (2.6/7) had 7.5 million suspended.
• ’Til Death (4.6 million, 1.7/4) was off by 500,000; Do Not Disturb (3.5 million, 1.4/3) stumbled by 600,000.
• 90210* (2.3 million, 1.2/3) improved by 300,000.

10pm

• CSI: NY (15 million, 4.0/11 in 18-49) easily won its hour.
• Lipstick Jungle‘s debut (2.3/6) drew in 6.1 million.

*denotes repeat

(You can review last Wednesday’s ratings here.)