RATINGS RECAP: 2/24/11

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 7.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.4
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 12.3 million, 18-49 demo: 3.8
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 9.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8
9:00 CSI
Viewers: 12.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 14.8 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
8:30 Perfect Couples
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 6.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 4.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
10:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 4.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:30 Outsourced
Viewers: 3.3 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 21.8 million, 18-49 demo: 7.2

ABC continued to have troubles on Thursday night with a declining lineup from 9-11pm. The 8pm hour was a bit up though as Wipeout was up 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo. This was a positive reversal after several weeks of drops. At 9pm though, Grey's Anatomy took a hit against American Idol and was down 1.1 million viewers and three tenths in the demo for series lows. Though the competition was fierce, this show has fallen mightily in recent years. At 10pm, Private Practice was down three tenths in viewers and even in the demo for season lows though the retention was better this week.

CBS had fairly steady results including Rules of Engagement, airing in its new timeslot. At 8pm, The Big Bang Theory was down a tenth in viewers but up a tenth in the demo. Rules of Engagement followed and was below its ratings for Monday recently but there is more competition on Thursday with Idol. Its performance was comparable to $#*! My Dad Says too. With Two and a Half Men shut down for the rest of the season and possibly beyond that, maybe both shows will get renewed. At 9pm, CSI was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo with stronger competition on FOX and no Justin Bieber. At 10pm, The Mentalist was down two tenths in viewers and the demo but is still getting great numbers for a 10pm show these days.

NBC had another embarrassing Thursday night with its comedies. At 8pm, Community was down three tenths in viewers but even in the demo for a third consecutive week. These are terrible ratings but could NBC put anything here that would do any better? Perfect Couples followed and was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. Now that it has dropped below 3 million viewers, how can NBC rationalize keeping it on the air? At 9pm, The Office was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, dropping for a fifth consecutive week. This is not what NBC was hoping would happen with Steve Carell's finale nearing. At 9:30pm, Parks and Recreation was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo which isn't too bad since it had a weaker lead-in and was facing the last half hour of American Idol this week. At 10pm, 30 Rock was up four tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo from last week while Outsourced was up a tenth in viewers but down a tenth in the demo for series lows. Overall, this night is trouble for NBC which was once indestructible on this night.

FOX continued to dominate with American Idol which was two hours this week. It was down another four tenths in viewers and four tenths in the demo but FOX should still be happy with these numbers. There was so much talk about Idol's possible demise this season but the new judges have been popular with fans and in some ways, Idol feels a bit refreshed. FOX will continue to easily win any night that it airs this powerhouse.