Did everyone just assume Adam Lambert was going to win? Over 100 million votes were cast for the Idol finale, but less than a third of that figure bothered to watch. Last night’s two-hour extravaganza tied the smallest audience numbers for an ender since Season 1. Meanwhile, the program had the lowest 18-49 performance for a closer…ever.

8pm

• American Idol 8 (28.8 million, 10/28 in 18-49) was down approximately 3 million from American Idol 7.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (5.7 million, 1.6/5) fell by 800,000; Gary Unmarried (1.7/5) wrapped up with 5.6 million.
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent (5 million, 1.1/3) slid by 500,000.
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (1.2/3) pulled in 3.4 million for ABC.
• CW’s airing of Take the Lead (0.4/1) scored 1.3 million.

9pm

• Criminal Minds (3.5/9 in 18-49) ended the season with 13.8 million.
• Law & Order: SVU* (4.3 million, 1.0/3) gave up 300,000.

10pm

• Law & Order (6.7 million, 1.9/5 in 18-49) lost 1.1 million.

*denotes repeat

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