'DOUBLE GHOSTS' ARE #1 & #2

Fast Nation ratings for Friday, May 23, 2008.

Gone are the boffo ratings of May sweeps, replaced by the sort of summer doldrums where a 3.9 overall rating can win a night.

That 3.9 rating (along with a 7 share) went to CBS, which narrowly won Friday night over the 3.8/7 for NBC. ABC wasn't that far back with a 3.0/6. FOX finished fourth on the night with a 2.5/5, just in front of the 2.3/4 for The CW.

NBC and CBS split the key 18-49 demographic, doing a 1.5 rating. FOX was next with a 1.4 rating, followed by the 1.3 rating for ABC and The CW's 1.2 rating.

Ah, summer.

CBS started the night in first with a 3.5/7 for "Ghost Whisperer." NBC's two "Most Outrageous Moments" episodes averaged a 3.2/6 for second. ABC's reairing of the "Grey's Anatomy" finale did a 2.6/5 and nipped FOX's "Cheaper by the Dozen," while The CW's "WWE Friday Night Smackdown" had a 2.2/4 for fifth.

NBC grabbed first at 9 p.m. with a 4.0/7 for "Dateline." CBS dropped to second with a 3.8/7 for another "Ghost Whisperer" episode. ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" was up to a 3.1/6, while FOX's movie and The CW's wrestling were stable.

With a 4.5/9, CBS' "Numb3rs" moved into the lead in the 10 p.m. hour. NBC's "Dateline" was down to second with a 4.2/8. ABC's "20/20" had a 3.5/7 for the hour.

Ratings information is taken from fast national data, which includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change.

TV Hits its Summer Lull As CBS Wins Friday.....The night's top-rated show is a 'Numb3rs' repeat.....