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It hasn't just been a record-shattering week for movie folks: The Big Four networks have been setting benchmarks themselves recently, though don't expect Variety to fall open to a color, gatefold ad proudly touting the fact that they have just reached the smallest audience in TV history:

TV viewers must have taken to the beach: It was the least-watched week in recorded history for the four biggest broadcast networks.

CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox averaged 20.8 million viewers during the average prime-time minute last week, according to Nielsen Media Research. That sunk below the previous record of 21.5 million, set during the last week of July in 2005.

TV execs shouldn't be entirely discouraged by the temporary ratings doldrums—we have no doubt the same record numbers that tuned in to catch Paula Abdul's every spittle-flecked, American Idol observation and dangling Desperate Housewives plot thread shall return once the beach weather ceases to beckon. In the meantime, sun-shunning couch vampires such as ourselves shall continue to delight in every installment of whatever special-ed, summer versions of TV hits programmers insist on foisting upon us, as the sight of David Hasselhoff heaping praise upon a tap-dancing poodle act never gets old.