I was always lead to believe that shows airing at the same time as Idol would suffer because of it. Apparently that isn’t the case with The Biggest Loser. Last night, the NBC show actually improved in the face of Simon Cowell.

8pm

• American Idol (25.2 million, 9.6/24 in 18-49) picked up 2.8 million in the post-inauguration week.
• NCIS (19 million, 3.9/10) was up 7.3 million over last week’s repeat.
• The Biggest Loser: Couples (11 million, 4.1/10) beefed up by 8%.
• Homeland Security USA (1.6/4) settled for 5.6 million.
• 90210* (1.1 million, 0.4/1) lost 1.3 million.

9pm

• The Mentalist* (2.9/7 in 18-49) pulled in 15.1 million.
• Fringe (12.1 million, 4.8/11) remained steady.
• A Scrubs block (5.1 million, 2.2/5) rose 13%.
• Privileged* (0.3/1) hung out in back with 841,000.

10pm

• Without a Trace (12.8 million, 2.7/7 in 18-49) was the winner of its hour.
• Law & Order: SVU* (2.4/6) settled for 7.1 million.
• Approximately 6.3 million caught Primetime: What Would You Do? (2.3/6).

*denotes repeat

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