RATINGS RECAP: 5/5/11

ABC
8:00 Wipeout
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 10.1 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
10:00 Private Practice
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 CSI
Viewers: 10.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.3
10:00 The Mentalist
Viewers: 14.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.7

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
8:30 The Office (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 6.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 5.1 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
10:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 4.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:30 Outsourced
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 21.3 million, 18-49 demo: 6.3
9:00 Bones
Viewers: 10.9 million, 18-49 demo: 3.2

ABC was all new on Thursday night with its regular lineup. At 8pm, Wipeout sunk 1.4 million viewers and half a demo point from its last airing two weeks ago for a season low. It's possible that ABC has given this show too much exposure this season and that could dampen its summer ratings. Don't forget this show started with 10.6 million viewers and a 3.7 demo back in January. At 9pm, Grey's Anatomy was down six tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week. At 10pm, Private Practice was up two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, posting better retention than last week. All in all, a normal Thursday but Wipeout should be a concern going into the summer.

CBS continued to have depressed Thursday numbers and was down from 8-10pm as their lineup has been faltering lately. At 8pm, The Big Bang Theory was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo for more season lows. This show has slipped badly thanks to American Idol and the 8pm problem. If it stays in this slot in the fall, it will be interesting to see if it can climb back up. At 8:30pm, Rules of Engagement was down two tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo as well, hitting season lows as well. Will this show be back? At 9pm, CSI was down a tenth in viewers and the demo and also hitting season lows. Will this finally be the year that the veteran show gets moved from its long-held timeslot? At 10pm, The Mentalist reversed the trend of the night and was up half a million viewers and a tenth in the demo, remaining a very strong 10pm drama.

NBC's comedy night remained troublesome as usual. At 8pm, Community was up a tenth in viewers and the demo from last week as it heads towards next week's season finale. After a repeat of The Office, the first post-Steve Carell episode of The Office was obviously down big from last week - 1.5 million viewers and seven tenths in viewers. However, this is on par in viewers and up in the demo from the new episode before last week. If it held here, the show would be fine but chances are it won't once things settle in with the new format. At 9:30pm, Parks and Recreation was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's episode, which aired from 9:50-10:30. At 10pm, the season finale of 30 Rock was up two tenths in viewers and the demo from last week's episode, which aired at 10:30pm. This will be back next season and it might be smart to keep at 10pm as the demo has been acceptable for the hour. At 10:30pm, Outsourced was down four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from its last episode three weeks ago. This show seems incredibly unlikely to return.

FOX was all new with its regular lineup. The results edition of American Idol was up 1.7 million viewers and six tenths in the demo which is somewhat surprising after several weeks of drops. This might be an indication of strong results shows numbers coming as the show gets down to the final few singers. At 9pm, the just-renewed Bones followed suit and was up 1.2 million viewers and four tenths in the demo from last week as it didn't have as much competition from The Office and no NFL draft. Where will this show land next season?