Ratings Report: Reaper Beats 90210

For all the attention paid to The CW shows such as 90210 and Gossip Girl, a critical point is often overlooked:

The shows often garner miniscule ratings.

Last night, for example, the long-awaited return of 90210 earned just two million viewers, 400,000 fewer than a new episode of Reaper.

Among other primetime pickings:

• The Mentalist was the night's highest-rated scripted series (16.9 million).

• The top nine performance show on American Idol saw 2.6 million viewers less than last year's version.

• Cupid (7.6 million) began its run with last-place finishes at 10 p.m. among total viewers and within the 18- to 49-year-old demographic.