Though I watch a number of shows in the top 20, it sucks that Lost isn't there because it's been really great this season. You couldn't pay me to watch Dancing with the Stars. Get some decent singers on AI & I might watch, but the last couple of years have been pathetic. It's great that people Tivo Lost, but until Neilson recognizes those veiwers, it won't really matter. Jericho was the most Tivo show & it still got canceled.

I agree that Lost is a show that we TIVO. I need to look at some scenes more than once, (yes, I'm a geek,) and I prefer to watch it in the morning. I really don't believe in the ratings, because so many people TIVO things, or watch it at a different time, (shows like Monk, that are on more than once,) and that isn't taken into consideration.

More detail on the weekly broadcast ratings for those interested:

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2008/05/06/idol-still-tops-but-cbs-shows-dominate-weekly-nielsen-top-20/3644

The reason Lost isn't in the Top 20 is because the show is too confusing, requires fans to remember things over the course of long hiatuses, and takes too many hiatuses(save the writer's strike) during the year. You can't require fans to put together a puzzle and not hardly be around to dole out clues. People have moved on to more episodic fare, or the reality shows, where there is a more clear beginning, middle, and end.

If Lost was on at 9PM it would still be in the Top 20. Also I would say LOST is one top show that is recorded and watched later on people's DVR's.

If you're ABC, it's dancing and doctors. And if you're CBS, the answer is clear: create another police procedural show.

And if you're NBC, create 8 more different versions of "Law & Order".