NBC premiered America's
Got Talent with new judge Howard Stern on the panel for a 3.6 rating in the
18-49 demo, down 16% from last year's premiere when it was paired with The Voice but equal to last year's finale. Smash ended its freshman run with a 1.8, steady with last week. NBC
earned second place with an overall 3.0 rating/8 share, according to Nielsen
overnight numbers.
CBS aired a night of finales for first place with an overall
3.3/9. How I Met Your Mother aired
back-to-back episodes beginning at 8 p.m. to earn a a 3.4 and 3.8, up 15% from
last week and up over its finale last year. Two
and a Half Men ended its season even with last week at a 3.8. Mike & Molly's finale posted a 3.3,
up 6% from last week. Hawaii Five-0
grew 17% from last week to a 2.7, matching last year's finale rating.
ABC premiered a new season of The Bachelorette, which earned a 2.5, down two tenths from last
year to a new series-low premiere for the series. Dancing With the Stars was even at a 2.7. The network earned an
overall 2.5/7.
Fox's Bones also
aired its finale for a 1.9, even with last week. House improved a tenth to a 2.2. Fox ended with an overall 2.0/6.
The CW aired a pair of finales with Gossip Girl, which was up two tenths to a 0.6, and Hart of Dixie, which was steady at 0.6.
The network posted an overall 0.6/2.
