LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- USA's Friday originals "Monk" (4.8 million, #8) and "Psych" (4.3 million, #T13) returned to solid numbers as the network nabbed three of the top 15 spots on cable last week.
Compared with their winter bows earlier this year, "Psych" was up 13% (3.8 million) while "Monk" was down 8% (5.2 million). "WWE Raw" (10:00 only, 5.1 million, #7) not surprisingly then rounded out USA's spots on the leaderboard.
TNT likewise placed three programs, including top draw "The Closer" (7.4 million, #1) and its Nextel Cup Racing coverage on Sunday (6.4 million, #3) as well as its post-race special (5.3 million, #6).
Over on ESPN, the network's annual "Home Run Derby" coverage (6.8 million, #2) fared well however the same couldn't be said for its "ESPY Awards" ceremony (2.8 million). The former was even with last year's event while the latter was down from last year's record 3.6 million. Meanwhile, a 65-minute overrun by the aforementioned "Derby" meant a subpar 2.2 million showing for part one of "The Bronx Is Burning" on Monday night. Said number nevertheless beat out the bow of 2005's "Tilt" (2.0 million) but fell short of the premiere of 2003's "Playmakers" (2.6 million).
Meanwhile, Lifetime's "Side Order of Life" (2.4 million) and "State of Mind" (2.3 million) opened to decent ratings (but well shy of lead out "Army Wives's" 3.7 million), as did BET's "Baldwin Hills" on Tuesday - 10:00 (1.1 million) and 10:30 (1.0 million).
Over on Sci Fi, the second season launch of "Eureka" drew 2.5 million viewers (including 1.3 million viewers 18-49). While off from its stellar start last summer (4.1 million; 1.7 million in 18-49), the broadcast nevertheless ranked as the network's most-watched so far this year in the key demographic.
And finally, A&E's "The First 48" returned to the tune of 2.2 million viewers, including 1.1 million adults 18-49 and 1.1 million adults 25-54. Said numbers marked the show's best opener to date and a gain of 10% in both total viewers and 25-54 from its season five launch in January.
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