Perhaps it was curiosity over whether we'd see Rick Schroder's whiter-than-white behind on his first episode of NYPD Blue (we didn't), but whatever the reason, the former Silver Spoons star's debut racked up some boffo numbers.

According to the Nielsen numbers, Tuesday night's episode of the ABC cop drama become the second most-watched Blue in two years, with more than 18.7 million couch potatoes tuning in to see how Det. Sipowicz would react to his new baby-faced partner, Det. Danny Sorenson.

The most-watched episode of the last couple seasons was last week's tearful farewell to Jimmy Smits' Det. Simone, who succumbed after a heart transplant.

Blue averaged an 8.9 rating and 25 share in the all-important 18-49 demographic, grabbing a 13.6 rating and 23 share in homes. Those numbers propelled the show to an easy victory in its time period, and reportedly made it the most watched show on any network Tuesday night.