A historically bad night.
FOX: That sound was every FOX executive’s communal indigestion, as once-mighty AMERICAN IDOL hit its all-time low for a regularly-scheduled episode, a 3.0 that was just barely over X Factor‘s 2.8 season average, down 0.6 from last week and an epic 1.6 points from this time last year. With that lead-in, GLEE only managed a 2.0, down 0.4 from last week.
ABC: No one was happy at ABC, either, where GREY’S ANATOMY, the only original show on an oddly scheduled night, had an all-time low 2.6 after 2 weeks of reruns. The repeat SHARK TANK and SCANDAL that surrounded it were at 1.3/1.2.
CBS: A chunk of CBS affiliates carried local college basketball playoffs, so some adjustment is in store later this afternoon. But as of now, THE BIG BANG THEORY was down a full point from last week at 4.5, tying its season low. More than that, it was down 0.6 from the preliminary numbers from last year’s parallel pre-NCAA Thursday (which was a week earlier on the calendar). Similarly, 2 1/2 MEN was down 0.6 from last week to a season low 3.3. PERSON OF INTEREST, however, edged up 0.1 to 2.9 (although half a point behind last year’s parallel night). ELEMENTARY had its first new episode in 3 weeks, and facing reruns on the other networks, it held even at 2.4.
NBC: COMMUNITY had a weirdly strong (for NBC) number last week, but last night it clunked back to earth with a series low 1.0, down half a ratings point. After 2 weeks of reruns, PARKS & RECREATION was up 0.2 to 1.6. THE OFFICE returned after 3 weeks of reruns with the discarded pilot (for good reason, as it turned out) for what would have been Rainn Wilson’s spin-off series, and it hit an all-time low 1.9. The new Office lead-in did next to nothing for 1600 PENN, up just a tick to 1.0. An SVU rerun had a 0.9.
CW: THE VAMPIRE DIARIES and BEAUTY AND THE BEAST returned with new episodes after 2 weeks off. Vampire was off 0.2 to 1.1, and Beauty was steady at 0.5.
Most of network TV tonight is new, except 9-11PM on ABC, and the 9PM slot on CBS, the latter killing time until Vegas arrives after college basketball is over. On Cinemax, BANSHEE has its Season 1 finale.
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