Nielsen Ratings

Reality doesn't bite for the networks. With the writers strike in full swing, viewers have embraced reality shows to fill the lack of new scripted programming. The finale of Survivor: China was the second highest-rated show in last week's Nielsen ratings, with more than 15 million viewers. The penultimate episode took fifth place with 14-and-a-half million viewers, while the reunion special also placed in the top 15. That's the good news for the long-running CBS reality franchise. The bad? Despite taking second place, only one other finale in Survivor history has drawn lower ratings -- this past spring's Survivor: Fiji.

While episodes of Survivor held the top of the Nielsens last week, other reality shows scored big, too. The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and multiple episodes of Deal or No Deal all finished in the top 20.

CBS was the highest-rated network for the week, followed by NBC, Fox, ABC, the CW, Univision, My Network TV and Telemundo

Here are the top 10 primetime programs for the week of Monday, December 10th-Sunday, December 16th

1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, CBS, 19.9 million viewers.

2. Survivor: China Finale, CBS, 15.2 million viewers.

3. Without a Trace, CBS, 15.1 million viewers.

4. Sunday Night Football: Washington Redskins at New York Giants, NBC, 14.6 million viewers.

5. Survivor: China, CBS, 14.5 million viewers.

6. CSI: NY, CBS, 14.4 million viewers.

7. Criminal Minds, CBS, 14.2 million viewers.

8. CSI: Miami, CBS, 14.1 million viewers.

9. The O.T., Fox, 13.5 million viewers.

10. 60 Minutes, CBS, 13.4 million viewers.

Oops!

The school lunch lady who claimed on the Sunday-night finale of Survivor: China that she was demoted from her position upon her return from the show has served up an apology for her "misleading" comments. Forty-year-old DENISE MARTIN was awarded 50 thousand dollars by executive producer MARK BURNETT after she said she was demoted to a janitorial position because of her involvement in the show. The next day, the Massachusetts school district for which she works stated that Martin was actually promoted from her cafeteria position to full-time custodian before she left for Survivor, and that she returned to the same job.

On CBS' The Early Show yesterday, Martin admitted that the school district was telling the truth. She explained that while taping Survivor, she decided that she wanted her old cafeteria job back, but has been told there are no openings. Martin apologized and said, quote, "It was not my intention to be misleading." When asked if she would accept the 50-thousand-dollar award if the offer is still on the table, she replied, quote, "I had no idea that I was going to be awarded that."

Here's Jimmy Kimmel!

JIMMY KIMMEL will follow the lead of fellow late-night hosts JAY LENO and CONAN O'BRIEN and return to work on January 2nd, without the help of his striking writers. Much like Leno and O'Brien, the host of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live made his decision out of consideration for his non-writing staff members. He said yesterday in a statement, quote, "Though it makes me sick to do so without my writers, there are more than a hundred people whose financial well-being depends on our show. It is time to go back to work."

Leno and O'Brien announced their impending return earlier this week, though they also won't have writers to pen jokes for them until the seven-week-old strike is resolved.

Most late-night shows have aired reruns since the strike began on November 5th. CARSON DALY resumed production on his NBC late-night show last month, and DAVID LETTERMAN's production company, Worldwide Pants, is reportedly seeking an individual agreement with the Writers Guild of America to bring back his CBS show and its writers, as well as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which Letterman's company produces.

Knocked Up, The TV Show!

So much for BRITNEY SPEARS' younger sister being the stable daughter in the family. JAMIE LYNN SPEARS is expecting a child, at the tender age of 16. The star of the Nickelodeon series Zoey 101 tells OK! magazine she and her longtime boyfriend, CASEY ALDRIDGE, who's reportedly 18, were shocked by the unexpected pregnancy. Jamie Lynn is 12 weeks along, and plans to raise the baby in her native Louisiana.

Jamie Lynn says she waited until just before Thanksgiving to break the news to her mom, LYNNE, who she says has been supportive after the initial surprise wore off. Lynne Spears tells the magazine, quote, "I didn't believe it because Jamie Lynn's always been so conscientious. She's never late for her curfew. I was in shock. I mean, this is my 16-year-old baby." There's been no comment yet from Jamie's big sis on becoming an aunt, although according to People magazine, she was unaware of Jamie's pregnancy. A family friend says, quote, "This is going to kill her," adding, quote, "In the end, she'll be supportive." Britney, of course, has two young kids of her own.

Nickelodeon responded yesterday to Jamie's announcement, stating, quote, "We respect Jamie Lynn's decision to take responsibility in this sensitive and personal situation. We know this is a very difficult time for her and her family, and our primary concern right now is for Jamie Lynn's well being."

Perhaps as a result of Jamie's revelation, a memoir from Lynne Spears about raising her children has been delayed indefinitely, according to People magazine. The book had been due out in May.

The issue of OK! magazine with Jamie Lynn's interview will hit newsstands nationwide by Friday.

TV Tonight (12/18)

ABC: Duel (NEW), According to Jim, Boston Legal (NEW)


CBS: NCIS (NEW), The Unit (NEW), Cane (NEW)


NBC: Clash of the Choirs (NEW), The Biggest Loser (NEW)


FOX: Bones, House


CW: Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (NEW), Reaper

Courtesy Dave Kent @ The New 93.9 KISS FM, Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill NC!

Get your local listings HERE

TV Potpourri

People magazine reports that Heroes actress ALI LARTER became engaged to The Game Plan actor HAYES MACARTHUR over the weekend. The couple has not set a wedding date yet. The 31-year-old Larter plays Niki Sanders, a woman with multiple personalities, on Heroes...

The Food Network thinks RACHAEL RAY is simply delish. After replacing former network star Emeril Lagasse just last week, the cable channel will launch a new primetime series featuring the bubbly TV personality, titled Rachael's Vacation, in January. The Food Network is also helping itself to new episodes of Ray's daytime series 30 Minute Meals...

Hmmmmm....A Survivor Cover Up?

Did Survivor: China contestant DENISE MARTIN outwit the show when she said she was demoted from her position as a school lunch lady because of her celebrity status? Looks like she just might have.

The 40-year-old Martin claimed on Sunday night's finale that she lost her cafeteria job at a Massachusetts school upon her return from China because her superiors felt her newfound fame was "too distracting" for the kids. She said she was demoted to a janitorial position instead. After hearing Martin's story, executive producer MARK BURNETT awarded her 50 thousand dollars, apparently on the spot.

However, in a statement posted on their official website yesterday, the Douglas Public Schools district disputed Martin's allegation. In fact, they claim that she was actually promoted from a cafeteria position to full-time custodian, with a higher salary and better benefits, before she taped Survivor. The school adds that she returned to the same job after she finished competing in the reality series.

No comment as yet from either Martin or Survivor producers.