>FOX narrowly won Thursday night, with CBS back in a close second place, returning with original episodes of its line up after a two week break for college basketball. Lest there be any doubt about ABC’s Missing or NBC’s Awake, both slipped again this week. Stick another fork in the two midseason dramas.
Nightly Adult 18-49 Rating
Thursday FOX NBC CBS ABC
03.29.2012 3.5 1.3 3.2 1.2 THIS WEEK
03.22.2012 3.8 1.5 2.3 1.2 LAST WEEK
03.31.2011 5.3 1.1 2.9 3.2 LAST YEAR
FOX’s American Idol turned in a 4.2 in the preliminary ratings with Adults 18-49, probably moving up to a 4.3 or even 4.4 in the official nationals. Last week, Idol was a 4.0 in the fast nationals and a 4.2 in the officials. Touch slid below a 3 rating to a 2.8 this week in the fast nationals, probably the same number it will receive in the official nationals. If the Keifer Sutherland drama can hold at a 2.7 or 2.8 in the coming weeks, that’s a victory. But chances are equally likely it could keep sliding a few tenths a week into the low-2 rating area, making a successful second season unlikely. Last year on this night: American Idol (6.8) and Mobbed (3.8).
Season Past Six WeeksFOX Thu High Low 2.23 3.01 3.08 3.15 3.22 3.29
X Factor 4.3 2.8 American Idol 5.7 4.2 4.5 5.4 4.9 4.6 4.2 4.2*
Touch 2.2R 3.3 2.8*
Bones 3.3 2.4 The Finder 2.8 1.7 2.0 — 2.3
After two weeks off for the early rounds of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, CBS Thursday was back with a vengeance with all original episodes. Big Bang Theory returned with a 4.5, tying a season low but still ahead of this time last year and beating the first half hour of American Idol. Better news at 9 pm, where Person of Interest almost matched the season high from the last original three weeks ago. Last year on this night: Big Bang Theory (3.8), Rules of Engagement (2.4), CSI (2.9) and The Mentalist (2.8).
Season Past Six Weeks
CBS Thu High Low 2.23 3.01 3.08 3.15 3.22 3.29
Big Bang Theory 5.5 4.5 5.3 3.2R 5.1 4.5*
Rules Engagment 3.7 2.7 2.8*
Rob 4.1 2.9 2.9 2.6 —
Person Interest 3.4 2.6 3.1 1.8R 3.4 3.3*
Mentalist 3.0 2.5 2.6 1.7R 2.8 2.7*
The Office was back in its time period at 9:00, but the episode was a repeat on an otherwise all-original night. When The Office is not an original (even in its diminished state), the night really falls apart for NBC. Up All Night sunk to a season low 1.3 and Awake is now at the dreaded 1.0 rating level. Last year on this night: Community (0.9), Perfect Couples (1.0), The Office (1.5), Parks & Recreation (1.1), 30 Rock (1.0) and The Office (1.0).
Season Past Six Weeks
NBC Thu High Low 2.23 3.01 3.08 3.15 3.22 3.29
Community 1.8 1.4 2.2 1.7 1.7*
30 Rock 1.8 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.4 2.0 1.5 1.5*
Parks & Rec 2.1 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.8
The Office 3.9 2.3 2.6 2.5 2.6 2.4 1.2R
Whitney 3.3 1.9
Up All Night 2.0 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.5 1.3*
Awake 1.9 1.2 2.0 1.6 1.6 1.2 1.0*
Prime Suspect 1.8 0.8
The Firm 1.0 0.8 —
ABC’s Missing continues to whither away, down another two tenths of a rating point this week to a 1.4 rating. The rest of the night was repeat soap drama, again typically repeating horribly. Last year on this night: Wipeout (1.9), Grey’s Anatomy (4.9) and Private Practice (2.7).
Season Past Six Weeks
ABC Thu High Low 2.23 3.01 3.08 3.15 3.22 3.29
Charlie’s Ang 2.1 1.1
Wipeout 2.7 1.5 1.5 1.1R 1.3R
Missing 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.6 1.4*
Grey’s Anatomy 4.5 3.1 3.1 1.1R 1.1R 3.0 1.2R 1.2R
Private Prac 2.8 2.1 2.1 — 2.1 0.8R 0.9R
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