CBS is crowing over results of Thursday night's broadcasts, noting that their top drama CSI beat American Idol's special results show in total viewers and key demographics.

Of course, Idol's results show was a special edition; it doesn't normally air on thursdays, but the Idol Gives Back telethon pushed it back a day. And Idol's show aired one hour before CSI, when slightly fewer people are watching TV. Still, its a ratings success that suggests fans are returning to the scripted shows they love after the writer's strike, and Idol may not be the indomitable force it always has been.

For me, it's just further evidence that this week was indeed a Bizarro Moment for the Idol franchise, in which ratings dipped, donation's dipped, and a seemingly popular contest who sings well got kicked off the show. Here's CBS' press release:

"CSI" OUTDELIVERS "AMERICAN IDOL" IN VIEWERS

"Without a Trace" Wins its Time Period in All Key Measures Opposite First-Run Competition

CBS Places First on Thursday in Viewers

            CSI was Thursday's Number One program in viewers on a night that included a special elimination edition of "American Idol," according to preliminary Nielsen live plus same day ratings for April 10.

CSI won its time slot in households (12.5/19), viewers (19.93m), adults 25-54 (7.3/17) and adults 18-49 (5.7/14).  Compared to last week's first-run return, CSI was up +1% in households (from 12.4/20), retained 97% of its viewers delivery (from 20.58m), 95% in adults 25-54 (from 7.7/19) and 97% in adults 18-49 (from 5.9/15).

            CSI outdelivered "American Idol" in viewers (19.93m vs. 19.57m).

WITHOUT A TRACE won its time period in households (9.8/16), viewers (14.61m), adults 25-54 (5.1/13) and adults 18-49 (3.9/11).  WITHOUT A TRACE was up +1% in households (from 9.7/17), even in adults 18-49 (from 3.9/11), retained 96% of both its viewers (from 15.20m) and adults 25-54 delivery (from 5.3/14) compared to last week's first-run return. 

            WITHOUT A TRACE topped the return of "ER" and an original "Eli Stone" in all key measures.

SURVIVOR: MICRONESIA was second, behind FOX's "American Idol" vote off special, in households (6.9/11), viewers (11.68m), adults 25-54 (4.6/12) and adults 18-49 (3.8/11).

For the night, CBS was first in households (9.7/16), viewers (15.41m), second in adults 25-54 (5.7/14) and adults 18-49 (4.5/12).   

Updated Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.