Ratings Chart Attack!

ABC’s “Ugly Betty” and “Grey’s Anatomy” decided to stay in the cellar last night, tying the shows’ series lows in ratings.

“Betty” pulled down a 2.4 rating/7 share and “Grey’s” brought in a 6.1/16 in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, according to preliminary Nielsen research. That’s flat from last week, and the bottom for both series in the numbers.

“Lost” (4.9/13) hoisted itself up 4% from last week. With that, ABC squeaked out a first-place finish with a 4.4/12.

Close on ABC’s heels, CBS (4.3/12) aired an average “Survivor” (4.1/12), a 15% improved “Without a Trace” (3.8/10) and a sweeps-infused “Two and a Half Men” writers crossover episode of “CSI” (4.9/13). The stunt didn’t bump “CSI,” as the show decreased 4% week-to-week.

“Scrubs” (2.5/7) ended its NBC run on the low side, down 14% from last Thursday. “My Name Is Earl” (2.6/8) declined 7%. The season finale of “30 Rock” (2.6/7) stayed flat, while “The Office” lowered the bar again on its season low with a 3.6/9, down 10%.

“ER” (2.9/8) bottomed out yet again, dropping a tick from last week’s former series low. NBC (2.8/8) finished in third place for the night.

Fox’s (2.0/5) “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” (1.9/6) and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics!” (2.0/5) declined substantially from last week, by 14% and 20%, respectively.

“Smallville” (1.5/5) and “Supernatural” (1.0/3) dipped a tick for The CW (1.3/4).

Programming note: I’ll be in New York City next week live-blogging and video-blogging from the broadcast networks’ upfront presentations. Tune in next week to TVWeek.com as our reporters will let you know if your 100-to-1 bet that ABC will renew “Cavemen” over picking up “Scrubs” paid off (it probably won’t, but then again “According to Jim” is still on the air…).