Overall, Monday night has been the bastion of stability for the networks so far this season. Of the 23 shows that have opened on Mondays so far this season, one one, "girls club," has been canceled. And of the few that other two that deserved a cancellation, "Drew Carey" and "Whose Line," have been guaranteed a place on the schedule for next season. Of course, there have only been two new "great" hits (CSI Miami & Joe Millionaire), but the other new shows seem to be holding their own, save "Miracles" and "Veritas" on ABC. 

8:00pm

Winner: Fear Factor (NBC)

Loser: Veritas  (ABC)

Although "Fear Factor" over on NBC got off to a slow start, it's been tearing up the charts in the last month and now sits in 31st place on the season. But during the last month, it's been a frequent top 20 finisher, sometimes breaking into the top 15. It's winning the slot in viewers and by an even bigger margin in adults. Not doing so well are "King of Queens" (28) and "Yes, Dear" (25), both of which are showing some major erosion from last season. But they're still doing heaps better than either Fox with "Boston Public" (61) and ABC with "Veritas" (72). As for the WB, "7th Heaven" (93) is still the place to be, though even that is showing some signs of shrinkage over last season. Over on the UPN, "The Parkers" (124) is way down over last season, even though "One On One" (111) is picking up the slack.
 

Winner:  Joe Millionaire (Fox)

Loser:  The Practice  (ABC)

The big story at 9pm is "Joe Millionaire," which has cracked 20 million viewers twice now and sits at 7th on the season. Compared to the disastrous "girls club" (105), Fox is up 352% in the slot. And with only 2 episodes left, it will likely break into the top 5 and remain there for the season, unless "ER" or the next "Survivor" can do big numbers in the remainder of the season. A Fox show on Monday in the top 5? This is truly a sign of the apocalypse. But one question remains: what will Fox air in the slot once "Millionaire" leaves? We'll worry about the one later....

But of course, one network's gain is almost everybody's loss. "Raymond" (8) sits at its lowest ranking in three seasons and is actually down over last year, the first time in its seven seasons that this has happened. Not helping is "Still Standing," which at no. 18 is certainly not the hit CBS wants it to be. NBC is getting some good numbers from "Third Watch" (41), which is up more than 20% over last season so far. Over on ABC, the news is not so good as "The Practice" landed on it's former night with a thud; though it ranks 38th on the season so far, its last two episodes would be at 66th. Ouch.

And then there's the UPN and the WB. The WB must be happy with "Everwood" (104), even though ratings have waned somewhat since its hot premiere. "Girlfriends" (112) continues to stay just one step back of its lead-in, while "Half & Half" (123) is looking increasingly unlikely to be offered a second season. But then again, everything else on the UPN is crumbling, so why would it get rid of the one new show that is kind of working?

Winner:  CSI Miami (CBS)

Loser:  Miracles  (ABC)

"CSI Miami" is certainly not the hit is was expected to be, but at 12th on the season, it's CBS's highest rated series in the slot in more than a decade. And yes, "Crossing Jordan" (49) has taken a hit, but it's doing doing relatively well and has seemed to pick up steam in recent weeks. And then there's ABC, which, just last last winter, can't seem to catch a break on Mondays. Though "Miracles" opened up in 66th, with its most recent episode coupled in, that drops to 75th. Where is the next "Bachelor" when you need it?