The Biggest Loser finale helped NBC place a strong second behind FOX’s hit reality combo.

8pm

• About 23 million watched Mariah Carey night on American Idol (8.6/23 in 18-49).
• NCIS (14.9 million, 3.1/8) improved by 1 million.
• A nice 11.2 million saw Ali win on The Biggest Loser (4.4/11).
• According to Jim (1.3/3) averaged 3.8 million over its hour.
• Beauty and the Geek (1.5 million, 0.7/2) soured by 300,000.

9pm

• Dancing with the Stars (15 million, 3.4/8 in 18-49) saw 1.5 million waltz away.
• Hell’s Kitchen (4.9/12) cooked up 11.1 million.
• Big Brother (6.5 million, 2.4/6) sucked in 200,000 more than last week.
• Reaper* (1.6 million, 0.6/2) dropped by 100,000.

10pm

• Law & Order: SVU (4.7/12 in 18-49) returned to 13.3 million.
• Boston Legal (2.2/6) served notices to 9 million.
• A 48 Hours Mystery (5.1 million, 1.5/4) did slightly better than the cancelled Secret Talents of the Stars.

*denotes repeat

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