The Last Thing Pushing Daisies Needed? Last Night's Ratings

In midst of "critical" phase, struggling show pulls all-time smallest audience

Update, 5:11 p.m.: E! News reports that ABC has canceled Pushing Daisies.

If Pushing Daisies is on probation, it's pushing its luck.

Last night's episode averaged a series-low 4.86 million viewers, Nielsen estimates said, and pulled an all-time worst rating among adults 18-49.

Last Friday, E! News reported that Pushing Daisies' performance in the next two weeks was "critical" to the survival of the ratings-challenged cult favorite.

There was good news for the show and its fans. And for that, Knight Rider is owed thanks.

ABC was quick to point out that Pushing topped its NBC time-slot rival for the first time in the all-important 18-49 demo. Overall, though, Pushing ran an anemic third in that race.

Elsewhere, CBS' Gary Unmarried (8.1 million) and the season finale of the CW's America's Next Top Model (4.8 million) pulled season highs, while CBS' Criminal Minds (15.8 million) drew the night's biggest crowd.