Even though the most exciting part of American Idol happened during the last 5 minutes, the show’s whole hour dominated the evening.

8pm

• The Moment of Truth (10.4 million, 4.1/12 in 18-49) lost 5 million without Idol support.
• Deal or No Deal (10.2 million, 2.5/7) nipped on Truth‘s tails.
• Wife Swap (6.3 million, 2.4/7) was up by over a million.
• Big Brother (5.4 million, 1.8/5) kissed 500,000 goodbye.
• America’s Next Top Model (1.8/5) held firm at 3.6 million.

9pm

• About 26.6 million followed American Idol (10.1/25 in 18-49) to its new time slot.
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent (7.9 million, 1.9/5) soared by 900,000.
• Criminal Minds* (7.4 million, 1.8/5) took a 1.8 million hit.
• Supernanny (5.9 million, 2.3/6) scolded 1.2 million less than last week.
• Girlicious* (1.6 million, 0.8/2) was off step by 400,000.

10pm

• Law & Order (11.7 million, 3.3/9 in 18-49) saw an impressive 2.2 million gain.
• CSI: NY* (6.4 million, 1.9/5) saw its 2.2 million run to NBC.
• Men in Trees (5.6 million, 1.7/5) remained steady with last Wednesday.

*denotes repeat

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