LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) Fast National ratings for Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2005. This just in: Viewers like "American Idol." After temporarily confusing some segment of the viewership with a Monday episode, "American Idol" was back in its Tuesday comfort zone, drawing 28 million viewers and trashing the competition.

Overall, FOX averaged a 12.8 rating/19 share, far ahead of second place CBS’ 7.8/12. NBC (6.3/10) and ABC (6.2/9) were in a close race for third, as ABC pulled in slightly more viewers. The WB was fifth with a solid 3.4/5. UPN trailed with a 1.7/3.

Among adults 18-49, FOX had an even larger margin of victory, doing an 8.9 rating in the demographic that makes advertisers feel like American Idols. Boosted by extra-long comedy blocks, ABC tied NBC for second with a 3.5 demo rating. CBS was next with a 3.0 rating. The WB stayed fifth with a 2.1 rating, bettering the 1.0 for UPN. At 8 p.m., FOX’s "American Idol" burst out of the gates with a 15.9/24 for the first performances by the Top 12 women. CBS was a distant second with the 9.0/13. On ABC, 40 minutes of "My Wife and Kids" plus 20 minutes of "George Lopez" equaled a 4.8/7, better than the totals for NBC’s "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" repeat. The WB’s "Gilmore Girls" had a 3.7/6 to take fifth. UPN’s "All of Us" and "Eve" were sixth with a 1.7/2 average between them.

Boosted by "Idol" and several guest stars, FOX’s "House" led the 9 p.m. hour with a 9.7/15. CBS was well back in second with a "One Day at a Time" reunion special. ABC’s 20 minutes of "G-Lo" and 40 minutes of "According to Jim" had a 6.6/10 for third. NBC’s "Scrubs" (5.2/8) and "Committed" (4.3/6) were fourth. It was a good week for "One Tree Hill," which had a 3.0/4, and an indifferent week for UPN’s "Veronica Mars," which failed to get a boost from guest star Alyson Hannigan.

NBC moved into first to close the night with the 9.8/16 for "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." CBS put in another hour in second with "Judging Amy." As its series finale approaches, ABC’s "NYPD Blue" was third with a 7.0/11.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.