LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Lots of people were "Watching Ellie" as the new NBC show starring "Seinfeld" alumna Julia Louis-Dreyfus scored strong viewership numbers in its premiere, the network said on Wednesday.
The show, which aired Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. EST, averaged 17 million viewers, and 9 million among advertiser-coveted 18- to 49-year-olds.
The total viewer number was the second highest for any series premiering in the current season. The only show to do better was NBC's now-canceled "Inside Schwartz," which made its debut in the highly coveted time slot right after the hit series "Friends."
Louis-Dreyfus also beat out her two former "Seinfeld" co-stars, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander, whose shows were both canceled after being critically panned.
"The Michael Richards Show" on NBC drew 13.2 million viewers in its debut, while the first episode of Alexander's "Bob Patterson" drew 9.3 million on ABC.
While "Ellie's" showing was strong, analysts pointed out that the curiosity factor and "Seinfeld" nostalgia were likely major attractions and a more important indicator will be how many people return next week for a second look.