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HOLLYWOOD Unscripted television programs have stolen most of the headlines in recent weeks, but some of the most impressive ratings performances this season are being turned in by dramas in tough timeslots.
While net programmers are careful not to sked their highprofile reality programs opposite others, television's top dramas have been delivering strong numbers despite facing some of their high-rated peers.
Easily the strongest combo of dramas in the same hour can be found Thursdays at 10, where incumbent leader "ER" on NBC is facing its stiffest opposition in the nine years it's been on the air - CBS crime drama "Without a Trace."
"ER," despite declining 9% year-to-year, remains television's No. 1 drama in adults 1849 (10.0/25), according to Nielsen, narrowly ahead of CBS' "CSI" (9.8/23), which is the most-watched program overall. In its nine seasons, no regularly skedded series has come close to the medical drama.
"Trace" is performing roughly 45% better than "The Agency"...