Seems Barbara Walters’ endless plugs on The View weren’t in vain. Yesterday’s exclusive interview with Patrick Swayze wound up being the night’s most-watched show. Unfortunately, CBS still managed to win the evening in both categories thanks to a stronger lineup.

8pm

• The New Adventures of Old Christine* (2.3/7 in 18-49) pulled in 8.2 million; Gary Unmarried* (2.3/6) turned in 7.4 million.
• A Bones* block (1.8/5) averaged 6.6 million.
• Knight Rider (1.6/5) drove in 5.7 million.
• Two Scrubs* repeats (1.6/4) scored 4.5 million.
• The premiere of 13: Fear is Real (1.1/3) scared up 2.4 million.

9pm

• The People’s Choice Awards (9.3 million, 2.9/8 in 18-49) was down 18% from the last live ceremony.
• A special edition of 20/20 (2.3/6) rounded up 8 million.
• An early hour of Law & Order: SVU* (2.2/6) nabbed 7.4 million.
• 90210* (0.5/1) dug up 1.1 million.

10pm

• Approximately 12.6 million watched the Barbara Walters Special (3.0/8 in 18-49).
• Law & Order (10.1 million, 3.0/8) had its best demos of the season.

*denotes repeat