RATINGS RECAP: 4/19/12

ABC
8:00 Missing
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Grey's Anatomy
Viewers: 9.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Scandal
Viewers: 7.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

CBS
8:00 The Big Bang Theory (Repeat)
Viewers: 9.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.5
8:30 Rules of Engagement
Viewers: 7.6 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:00 Person of Interest (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:00 The Mentalist (Repeat)
Viewers: 8.2 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5 

NBC
8:00 Community
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3
8:30 30 Rock
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
9:00 The Office
Viewers: 4.4 million, 18-49 demo: 2.2
9:30 Parks and Recreation
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.7
10:00 Awake
Viewers: 2.8 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9 

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 15.0 million, 18-49 demo: 4.0
9:00 Touch
Viewers: 7.3 million, 18-49 demo: 2.1 

On Thursday night, ABC had its usual lineup starting with Missing which was down seven tenths in viewers and even in the demo. Grey's Anatomy followed and was up nine tenths in viewers and a good four tenths in the demo for its best performance since February 9. Week three of Scandal followed and it was down a tenth in viewers and even in the demo. The good news is that its first three weeks have been remarkably steady which isn't too common for a new show. The bad news is that its lead-in has gone up each week (and significantly this week) but Scandal stayed put. ABC has some real interesting decisions to make about its dramas.

NBC was new with its low-rated lineup. At 8pm, Community was down three tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo. NBC needs to cut ties with some of its low rated sitcoms and this would be a great one to start with. At 8:30pm, 30 Rock was up a tenth in viewers and the demo. The Office followed and was dead even with last week's series low. At 9:30pm, Parks and Recreation returned after several weeks off. It did better than Up All Night in this slot but was lower than its last new episode at 8:30pm on March 8. At 10pm, Awake was up a tenth in viewers and even in the demo.

CBS was only new with Rules of Engagement which was down a big nine tenths in viewers and half a demo point. This is surprising since it held up so well last week airing amongst repeat. If it can perk back up amongst new episodes, it could probably cheat death yet again at Upfronts. FOX started off with American Idol which was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo. Touch followed and was down nine tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for a demo series low. I think this show would be floundering big time if it didn't have the Idol lead-in.