Overnight TV Ratings -- "Oscars" Ratings Okay

The Ellen-hosted Oscars rated just a shade under 40 million, which is about the average for the past five years. (A recent high point was 55 million viewers when "Titanic" swept, but declining ratings have been the trend for all awards shows.) And of course, I called it the "Ellen-hosted" Oscars because while it's the movies that really draw the audience, everyone holds the host responsible for the ratings. Personally, I think Ellen was the closest to the amiable, but self-deprectating charm of Johnny Carson as anyone I've ever seen. I'd rather see her for the next ten years than Billy Crystal for one. Note: the Oscar audience is the average for the entire evening. Hour by hour breakdowns of the audience weren't available.For a complete ratings breakdown, go to MediaWeek's Marc Berman.

7 P.M.
1. Barbara Walters Oscar Special -- 19.66 million
2. NASCAR overrun -- 11.96 million
3. 60 Minutes -- 9.26 million total viewers
4. Dateline -- 5.01 million
5. Reba (r) -- 2.60 million/Reba (r) -- 3.20 million

8 p.m.
1. Road To The Oscars -- 32.93 million/The 79th Annual Academy Awards -- 39.48
2. The Amazing Race: All-Stars -- 8.19 million
3. The Simpsons (r) -- 8.37 million/The Simpsons (r) -- 7.83 million
4. Grease: You're The One That I Want -- 4.59 million
5. 7th Heaven (r) -- 2.42 million

9 p.m.
1. The 79th Annual Academy Awards -- 39.48 million
2. Without A Trace (r) -- 8.38 million
3. Family Guy (r) -- 7.91 million/Family Guy (r) -- 7.84
4. Crossing Jordan (r) -- 4.11 million
5. Beauty and the Geek (r) -- 1.28 million

10 p.m.
1. The 79th Annual Academy Awards -- 39.48 million
2. Cold Case (r) -- 7.24 million
3. Crossing Jordan -- 6.66 million