RATINGS RECAP: 1/26/12

ABC
8:00 Wipeout (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 Grey's Anatomy (Repeat)
Viewers: 4.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
10:00 Private Practice (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.8

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory
Viewers: 16.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.5
8:30 Rob
Viewers: 11.5 million, 18-49 demo: 3.5
9:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 10.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1
10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.6 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9 

NBC
8:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.6
8:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
9:00 30 Rock
Viewers: 4.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.9
9:30 Up All Night (Repeat)
Viewers: 3.0 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
10:00 The Firm
Viewers: 3.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.0

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 17.1 million, 18-49 demo: 5.5
9:00 The Finder
Viewers: 8.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.8

On Thursday night, the mammoth that is The Big Bang Theory was at it again, posting new Thursday highs as it was up three tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo. This is now the unquestioned top sitcom on TV and to be pulling these kind of numbers in the 8pm half hour is astonishing in this day and age. Syndication has really proven to be a huge boost for this show as it is showing no signs of slowing down like it did last season in its first year on Thursday. Rob followed and was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo for its third week. Again, the numbers aren't bad overall but the retention is even worse this week which begs the question - how would this show do on its own? Not to mention, American Idol shot up in the second half hour which could be a lot of Big Bang watchers switching over and that's not a good thing. We'll have to see where things go.

Over on FOX, American Idol was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo from last week's Thursday debut. Though still strong, it actually only tied for the lead demo of the night with The Big Bang Theory and was beaten outright by that show easily in the 8pm half hour. At 9pm, The Finder rose again as it was up 1.8 million viewers and six tenths in the demo. While the competition was light, it's still impressive that it has risen 2.9 million viewers and 1.1 demo points since its debut. It may not be as DOA as everyone thought but we'll have to see how it does when it's against regular competition.

NBC was not competitive as usual. At 8pm, 30 Rock was down three tenths in viewers for a series low and even in the demo. This show is no better option than Community and its obvious that NBC needs to go in another direction at 8pm. At 8:30pm, Parks and Recreation was down eight tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a series low. This show may have been negatively impacted by no episode of The Office as the two have a lot in common, but it's still a terrible performance regardless. At 9pm, a second episode of 30 Rock was up from 8:00 but way down from The Office's usual numbers. After an Up All Night repeat, The Firm was actually up four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, but the overall numbers are slow low, it doesn't matter.