Who knew Simon Baker could get any hotter? Last night - thanks to the absence of DWTS - a very good show managed to get even better. The Mentalist even outperformed the always strong NCIS.

8pm

• NCIS (18.5 million, 3.7/10 in 18-49) picked up 300,000.
• House (12.4 million, 5.0/13) had the night’s best demos.
• ABC‘s presentation of Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town (3.1/8) entertained 9 million.
• The Biggest Loser: Families (8.7 million, 3.4/9) gained 1.9 million.
• 90210* (0.5/1) turned in 1.2 million.

9pm

• The Mentalist (18.8 million, 3.8/9 in 18-49) had its largest audience yet.
• Fringe (8.7 million, 3.7/9) did the same as before.
• An According to Jim block (2.1/5) returned to 5.8 million.
• Privileged* (0.3/1) made an effort with 855,000.

10pm

• Without a Trace (12.1 million, 2.5/7 in 18-49) added on 1.8 million.
• Law & Order: SVU (10.3 million, 3.6/9) was up 1.7 million.
• Eli Stone (4.9 million, 1.6/4) lost 2 million.

*denotes repeat

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