I just can’t wait to see what happens when American Idol finally comes around. Last night, NCIS - a show in its sixth season - had an evening to remember. The show not only saw its best demo performance in approximately a year, it had its largest audience ever. The Mark Harmon program went on to help CBS win with the the viewers while FOX was on top with the demos.

8pm

• NCIS (18.8 million, 4.0/10) added on 1.7 million since its last original episode.
• House (12.9 million, 5.5/14) had Tuesday’s best demos.
• Dancing with the Stars* (2.1/5) recapped 10.4 million.
• The Biggest Loser: Families (3.4/8) weighed in 8 million.
• 90210 (1.4/4) registered 2.7 million.

9pm

• The Mentalist (16.46 million, 3.9/9 in 18-49) was up a few notches.
• Approximately 16.39 million saw Maurice Greene eliminated from Dancing with the Stars (3.6/9).
• Fringe (8.9 million, 3.9/9) lost a good chunk of its lead-in.
• Privileged (0.9/2) had 1.9 million tune in.

10pm

• Without a Trace (12.2 million, 2.7/7 in 18-49) remained steady.
• Law & Order: SVU (9.4 million, 3.6/10) rounded up 200,000 more.
• Eli Stone (7.4 million, 1.9/5) lost 300,000.

*denotes repeat

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