Les Moonves’ widely-reported prediction that “Two and a Half Men” could produce AFC Championship-caliber numbers for its season premiere will not prove true, but the episode, which marked Ashton Kutcher’s debut as Charlie Sheen’s replacement, looks to have been a massive success.
According to TV Media Insights, the show posted a whopping 18.7 metered market rating, a figure ahead of what even “American Idol” and “Dancing with the Stars” typically garner in the overnights.
(Update: “Two and a Half Men” delivered an astounding 10.3 adults 18-49 rating with 27.8 million viewers in the fast nationals)
With such strong overnight tracking, it looks like “Men” definitely eclipsed 20 million viewers for its premiere.
That would mark a huge step-up from any recent episode of the popular CBS sitcom.
Given its usual skew, a fantastic performance in adults 18-49 can also be surmised.
