Even though last night’s numbers for American Idol weren’t dramatically different than Tuesday’s, Day 2’s ratings were significant. It was the first time in five years Idol‘s second night did better than the first.

8pm

• American Idol (30.3 million, 11.8/30 in 18-49) grew 1% in the demo.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (7.2 million, 1.9/5) was off by a million; Gary Unmarried (7.1 million, 2.1/5) was down about 300,000.
• Knight Rider (5.3 million, 1.6/4) lost 400,000.
• A block of Lost* repeats (1.7/4) averaged 4.5 million.
• 13: Fear is Real (1.6 million, 0.6/2) gave up 800,000.

9pm

• Criminal Minds (3.3/8) pulled in 14.1 million.
• Law & Order: SVU* (4.5 million, 1.2/3) plunged by 2.9 million.
• 90210* (690,000, 0.3/1) slid by about 400,000.

10pm

• CSI: NY (3.2/8 in 18-49) gathered 12.9 million.
• Law & Order (8.2 million, 2.3/6) shaved off 1.9 million.

*denotes repeat

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