CBS surprisingly did well yesterday without its usual Wednesday lineup. The network’s night of variety - Rudolph, Grammys, Heidi - ended up taking the night’s demos. Meanwhile, crime-free competition helped NBC pick up a rare win with the viewers.

8pm

• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (4.2/12 in 18-49) drew in 11.7 million.
• Christmas in Rockefeller Center (2.2/6) had 10.4 million feeling festive.
• Approximately 6.7 million watched the debut of Secret Millionaire (2.3/7).
• Pushing Daisies (4.9 million, 1.5/4) was up 10%.
• Stylista* (0.5/1) registered 1.3 million.

9pm

• Life (8.1 million, 2.3/6 in 18-49) improved by 52%.
• A second helping of Secret Millionaire (8.1 million, 3.0/8) did better than the first.
• Private Practice (7.8 million, 2.6/7) grew 26%.
• The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! special on CBS (2.3/6) entertained 7.2 million.
• Stylista (0.6/1) nailed down 1.4 million.

10pm

• Law & Order (11.3 million, 2.9/8 in 18-49) grew by 80%.
• The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (3.6/10) had 8.7 million gawking.
• Dirty Sexy Money (1.7/5) turned in 5.7 million.

*denotes repeat