Last Monday, FOX took advantage of weakened competition. This time around, it was CBS’ turn. A House-free evening helped the network win both the viewers and the demos.

8pm

• How I Met Your Mother (3.5/10 in 18-49) kicked off the evening with 9.1 million viewers.
• Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special (2.3/6) got 8.5 million singing for FOX.
• Accidentally on Purpose (2.9/8) scored 8.3 million.
• Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (2.7/7) entertained 8 million.
• Law & Order: SVU* (1.5/4) rounded up 6.6 million.
• One Tree Hill (2.6 million, 1.2/3) was up 200,000.

9pm

• Two and a Half Men (15.2 million, 5.1/12 in 18-49) reached season highs.
• The Big Bang Theory (14.7 million, 5.7/13) also had its best numbers of the fall.
• Find My Family (5.9 million, 1.8/4) plunged by 2 million.
• A second Law & Order: SVU* (5.8 million, 1.6/4) pulled in less than the first.
• Gossip Girl (2.2 million, 1.2/3) remained even.

10pm

• CSI: Miami (3.8/10 in 18-49) arrested 12.9 million.
• Castle (2.3/6) got 8.4 million watching.
• The Jay Leno Show (4.7 million, 1.3/3) did the same.

*denotes repeat

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