Clooney Makes Ratings

By BENJAMIN TOFF; Compiled by PATRICK HEALY

Returning to the role he gave up 10 years ago, George Clooney made a cameo appearance as Dr. Doug Ross on “ER” on Thursday night, helping the NBC drama earn its most viewers since February 2007. According to Nielsen’s estimates, 10.7 million tuned in for the episode, which also featured guest appearances by several other former cast members and Susan Sarandon. The show, now in its 15th and final season, led the 10 p.m. time slot among viewers 18 to 49 but trailed CBS’s “Eleventh Hour” (11.8 million) in total viewers. NBC was in fourth place for the night, earning low ratings during the 8 o’clock hour with a repeat of “My Name Is Earl” (4.4 million) followed by the finale of “Kath & Kim” (4 million). CBS led over all thanks to “CSI,” the night’s most-watched show at 9 (17 million), and “Survivor,” which led the 8 o’clock hour with 12.9 million viewers. ABC was runner-up with “Ugly Betty” at 8 (7.2 million), “Grey’s Anatomy” at 9 (13.5 million) and “Private Practice” at 10 (9.1 million). Fox ranked third, just ahead of NBC, but the two networks tied among the 18-to-49 set.

Sphere: Related Content