Don’t be fooled—Oprah Winfrey doesn’t always have the Midas touch. Despite the A-list filled roster, yesterday’s Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special failed to dazzle. The program came in last during its hour and did worse than the last original Ugly Betty episode.

8pm

• American Idol (23.5 million, 8.5/23 in 18-49) added on 700,000 more.
• The New Adventures of Old Christine (1.7/5) and Gary Unmarried (2.0/5) both pulled in 6 million.
• Mercy (1.6/5) also raised 6 million.
• Approximately 6 million watched The Middle (2.1/6) as well.
• A Modern Family* repeat (1.7/5) scored 5.2 million.
• Life Unexpected* (1.1 million, 0.5/1) did about the same as last week.

9pm

• Criminal Minds (3.6/9 in 18-49) nailed down 13.2 million.
• Modern Family (3.5/9) had 8.1 million laughing.
• A 2-hour Law & Order: SVU (2.7/7) averaged 8.3 million.
• Gossip Girl* (0.2/1) settled for 480,000.
• Cougar Town (2.4/6) lured in 5.4 million.

10pm

• CSI: NY (3.1/9 in 18-49) generated 12.5 million.
• The Oprah Winfrey Oscar Special (1.3/4) mustered up 4.4 million.

*denotes repeat

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