First runs of the hot reality laffer "Last Comic Standing" pace NBC's Tuesday and Thursday schedules.

Reality Reel Media
08.11.04

Strong numbers from "Last Comic Standing" on Tuesday and Thursday and winning performances from encore episodes of "Law & Order" "Fear Factor" and "Crossing Jordan" were among the highlights of NBC's primetime performance for the week of Aug. 2-8, according to in-home viewing figures from Nielsen Media Research.

The Thursday telecast of "Last Comic Standing" jumped 31 percent from week-to-week to deliver NBC's highest Thursday 18-49 rating so far this summer.

A number of Peacock stalwarts ("Fear Factor," "Law & Order" and "Crossing Jordan") turned in winning performances with encore episodes while other originals ("Who Wants to Marry My Dad?") and encores ("Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" and "Criminal Intent") also contributed potent numbers.

The Peacock lineup featured 10 top-30 shows last week, including a top-30 show on five of seven nights of the week.

NBC highlights for the Aug. 2-8 week include:

* On Monday, an encore "Fear Factor" won its time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures.

* Also on Monday, "Who Wants to Marry My Dad?" scored its highest rating since the show's season premiere.

* On Wednesday, an encore "Law & Order" built impressively on its lead-in to win its time period in adults 18-49 and other key measures.

* In its second Thursday telecast of the summer, "Last Comic Standing" surged versus the prior week to deliver a 41 percent increase over NBC's 18-49 average in that time period this summer.

* On Friday, "Dateline NBC" ranked a strong #2 in 18-49 and beat the competition in adults 25-54, total viewers and other key measures.

* On Saturday, the movie "The Replacements" delivered NBC's best 18-49 rating in the slot in six weeks.