It's the first Thursday in 3-4 weeks where all the major networks have aired original episodes instead of repeats. In fact, the only repeat on any of the networks last night was on ABC at 8pm where Shark Tank aired in place of Last Resort which wrapped up its 13 episode run last week following its cancellation. In a fortnight, ABC's new drama Zero Hour turns up in that timeslot, and it looks very good. I'll definitely be watching the next few episodes, having already seen the pilot online
Also at 8pm, the two big guns in the form of CBS's The Big Bang Theory and FOX's American Idol clashed, with The Big Bang Theory winning that battle with a 5.4 rating and 17.76 million viewers. Returning from a 3 week break, that result is a full ratings point and 2.24 million viewers down from the last original episode which earned a series high 6.4 rating and 20.00 million viewers. American Idol earned a 4.5 rating and 13.80 million viewers. The Big Bang Theory and American Idol were first and second by a considerable margin in ratings and audience for the night. The repeat of ABC's Shark Tank earned a 1.1 rating and 4.56 million viewers, which isn't much of a drop from what Last Resort was managing draw in during the final episodes of the series. 30 Rock on NBC earned a 1.9 rating and 4.88 million viewers
At 8:30pm, Two and a Half Men followed The Big Bang Theory, and also shared a drop on the last original episode 3 weeks ago, albeit a little less, with a 3.9 rating and 13.70 million viewers
9pm saw Person of Interest return on CBS after a 3 week break, and to a 3.2 rating and 15.71 million viewers. This audience is the second highest the series has had, and marginally better on the last episodes' 15.67 million viewers. That episode earned a 3.3 rating, higher than last night's episode. In addition, last nights rating pushes the average rating for this season to 3.01, with the average audience sitting at 14.63 million viewers. More stats for this season are available here
Also at 9pm, Grey's Anatomy earned a season low 2.8 rating and 8.93 million viewers. The lack of a decent lead-in all season for Grey's Anatomy is starting to hurt, and though the ratings are solid enough to ensure little doubt of its renewal, Grey's Fans will be hoping Zero Hour in a fortnight might return some viewers to the show, which has dropped steadily all season
Glee's second episode back following its 6 week break dropped quite a bit from last week's 2.6 rating and 6.79 million viewers, with last night's episode earning a 2.1 rating and 5.48 million viewers. That's a full half a ratings point, and 1.3 million viewers less. To be fair, last week's American Idol rated a lot better than it did last night, with a 5.2 rating and 15.65 million viewers
On NBC, back-to-back episodes of The Office filled the 9-10pm timeslot, with the first earning a 2.1 rating and 4.45 million viewers, and the second earning a 1.9 rating and 3.97 million viewers
Moving on to 10pm, where another brilliant episode of ABC's Scandal aired to a 2.7 rating and 8.09 million viewers, up on the previous episode's 2.6 rating and 7.93 million viewers a fortnight ago. Bear in mind this week's rating is just 0.1 of a ratings point and 840,000 viewers shy of its lead-in Grey's Anatomy. And with a marriage on the rocks, a building conspiracy, truths coming out left right and center, and a baby set to arrive next week, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a season high equaling or surpassing rating next week, and if Grey's Anatomy doesn't perform well again, Scandal could just win the night for ABC next week. That is a rather long shot though
Also at 10pm, CBS's Elementary continues to be a really solid audience drawcard, with a 2.2 rating and 10.90 million viewers. Those numbers are down on the last episode from 3 weeks ago which earned a 2.4 rating and 11.48 million viewers.
Accompanying Scandal and Elementary was the series premiere of NBC's Do No Harm. Its ratings can't have caused much harm to Scandal or Elementary, with the premiere earning a very small 0.9 rating and 3.12 million viewers. It was NBC's lowest rated show of the evening by a full ratings point, which isn't the best way to begin when you're a new series. The outlook for the future is pretty grim if that result is anything to go by
I'll wind things up with the season 2 Scandal ratings graph, which also shows Grey's Anatomy's ratings as its lead-in. You can see pretty clearly the decline in ratings since the start of the season from Grey's Anatomy, and the substantial increase Scandal has had over the past few episodes
Thanks for reading. Check out my website, www.seriesmonitor.com for more statistics and analysis on many of these shows, plus many more. Mane sure you share your thoughts in the comments below!
Jimmy
