• by Wayne Friedman , April 15, 2008

ABC returned on Sunday with new episodes of shows, and won the night. However, the network generally witnessed lower numbers versus previous outings. "Desperate Housewives" fell a big 22% to a Nielsen preliminary 5.7 rating /13 share down from its last original episode in January. An hour early, "Oprah's Big Give" at 8 p.m. was lower than in previous weeks, with a 2.9/8. Only "Eli Stone" at 10 p.m. improved --with a 2.9/7, up from its previous performances on Thursday night.

But ABC isn't alone when surveying mixed program performances after the strike. Although CBS sitcoms returned strong after the strike, its hour drama "CSI: NY" didn't do as well when it returned, and neither did NBC's "ER."

No matter. ABC was still the best for Sunday, with a 3.5/9 average.

Second place belonged to CBS with a 2.7/7--but much of this was from a runover of "The Masters," which pulled a 4.4/14. CBS' original episode of "Cold Case" took in a low 2.5/6 for the night.

Fox was a steady performer on the night. Originals of "The Simpsons" and "Family Guy" gave the network a 3.3/9 and a 3.0/7, respectively. For the night, Fox earned a 2.4/6, which put it in third place.

NBC brought on some original USA Network cable TV shows for the night: "Monk" and "Psych." But neither measured up to broadcast standards. "Monk" took a 1.1/3, and "Psych" delivered a 1.2/3. With a repeat of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" at a 1.5/4, all NBC garnered was a fourth-place finish at a 1.3/3.

Behind NBC: Univision at 0.6/2 and CW at a 0.5/1.