The fall season hasn’t officially kicked into high gear, yet 90210 and Melrose Place are already coming up short. The sophomore drama debuted to nearly 2 million less than it did last year. Meanwhile, the freshman entry attracted a smaller number than Privileged did last September. (Note: CW has since canceled Privileged.)

8pm

• An NCIS* repeat (10.7 million, 2.1/6 in 18-49) was the hour’s largest draw.
• Hell’s Kitchen (7.6 million, 3.5/11) had the night’s best demos.
• America’s Got Talent* (1.5/5) got NBC warmed up with 6.8 million.
• Shark Tank* (1.1/3) attacked 3.4 million.
• 90210‘s debut (1.3/4) pulled in 2.6 million.

9pm

• America’s Got Talent (2.8/8 in 18-49) averaged 11.7 million over two hours.
• Big Brother 11 (8.1 million, 2.7/7) had its best audience of the season.
• More to Love (1.9/5) seduced 4.4 million.
• Shaq Vs. (1.5/4) rallied 3.8 million.
• Melrose Place (1.3/3) premiered to 2.3 million.

10pm

• The Mentalist* (1.4/4 in 18-49) picked up 6.4 million.
• Approximately 5.7 million watched Jon Gosselin on Primetime: Family Secrets (2.2/6).

*denotes repeat