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TV Week reports  that American Idol’s Tuesday night preliminary numbers were  its lowest Tuesday 18-49 rating in two years.

Here are the preliminary numbers:

Tuesday

According to preliminary nationals from Nielsen, “American Idol” (10.0 rating/28 share in adults 18-49, 26.0 million viewers overall) dominated the 8 o’clock hour and was the night’s top program even though it’s expected to come in about 15% below the same night a year ago. “House,” by contrast, was up slightly year to year, averaging an 8.7/22 in 18-49 and 21.6 million viewers overall).

Wednesday

“American Idol” drove Fox to another nightly win Wednesday as an average of 27.9 million viewers tuned in to see the sendoff of finalist Haley Scarnato and a live performance by Jennifer Lopez for a 10.9 rating/26 share among adults 18-49, according to preliminary Nielsen numbers.

It was an up-and-down night with “Idol” significantly improving from its season low in the 18-49 demo last week.

Note that Wednesday night’s numbers were up  6% from the night before, and up 19% from last year’s Top 8 Results show, which only pulled in  22.6 million viewers with a 9.2 rating/24 share.   Reader Kirsten (thanks!)   noted in comments  that last year’s  Top 8  results show started a half hour  earlier than usual.   The ratings rose to normal levels during the second half hour.

Ryan did not mention vote totals during last year’s Top 8 results show.   This year, Ryan said that more than 35 million people voted–the highest totals for the year so far.