With February sweeps set to begin next Thursday night, most of the networks' lineups were in repeats on Thursday night. Joey was no exception, as the freshman spin-off sunk to a 6.7 rating and an 11 share, identical to the show's only other non-holiday repeat on October 28. The numbers will likely translate to approximately 10 million viewers. Joey lost its timeslot to a repeat of Without a Trace and ranked sixth for the night, as shown by the preliminary ratings.

1. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (Repeat): 14.0/21

2. ER: 13.0/21

3. Without a Trace (Repeat): 10.1/16

4. The Apprentice 3: 10.0/15 (Estimate)

5. Without a Trace (8:00 Repeat): 7.1/11 (Estimate)

6. Joey (Repeat): 6.7/11

New episodes of The Apprentice 3 and ER propelled NBC to a first-place tie with CBS for the night, as both networks averaged a 10.4/16, though NBC did have a slight edge in total viewers. Joey slipped out of the season-to-date top twenty in January. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation has a stranglehold on the number-one spot, while Joey continues to compete with Will & Grace for the number-three sitcom behind Everybody Loves Raymond and Two and a Half Men. The competition heats up next week, as February sweeps begin and Joey faces off with a CSI: Crime Scene Investigation encore repeat.

Joey's a top 10 show, so to me that's a hit, Without a Trace is considered a hit show by CBS and the ratings for it aren't that much higher than Joey's

Joey's a top 10 show, so to me that's a hit, Without a Trace is considered a hit show by CBS and the ratings for it aren't that much higher than Joey's

Joey's not a top 10 show. A top 10 show for Thursdays, you mean. Being in the top 10 on one night is not saying much. Without a Trace doesn't normally air at 8:00, and it beat Joey.

Joey's not a top 10 show. A top 10 show for Thursdays, you mean. Being in the top 10 on one night is not saying much. Without a Trace doesn't normally air at 8:00, and it beat Joey.

Yeah you're right, I was thinking overall top 10 shows for the week :lol:

Joey currently ranks 32nd on the season, one step above "Will & Grace."

You sure? Last I saw, both it and W&G were in the top 30, and Joey was one or two steps above it.