TV Ratings: ‘Big Bang Theory’ Jumps to Series High, ‘Last Resort’ Dips

There’s no stopping The Big Bang Theory.

Thick in season six, the CBS comedy drove up to a series-high 17.4 million total viewers Thursday and a season-best 5.5 rating among advertiser-coveted adults 18-49 demo. It’s an impressive showing for a veteran series, especially as several other network shows are seeing a downturn as of late.

Big Bang Theory’s record performance drove up lead-out Two and a Half Men (13.9 million, 4.1) and Person of Interest (14.5 million, 3.1), both reaching season highs in the demo — the latter tying time-slot competitor Grey’s Anatomy. Although not a high of any significance, Elementary (10.7 million, 2.3) also improved. On the evening, CBS — which drew its best adult rating since Thursday of premiere week — either tied or won its hours in the demo.

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ABC likely was hoping for an uptick for rookie submarine drama Last Resort (5.8 million, 1.3) but didn’t quite get the boost it was looking for, down to its lowest-rated episode thus far. Grey’s Anatomy (8.7 million, 3.1) dropped 6 percent, while Scandal (6.1 million, 2.1) righted the ship with an 11 percent improvement.

Returning after a few weeks away, NBC’s 30 Rock (3.4 million, 1.2) was up 9 percent and Up All Night (3.1 million, 1.3) down 7 percent. Thick in the middle of its final season, The Office (4.1 million, 2.0) dropped 17 percent to a series low without the boost from The Voice it received last week, while Parks and Recreation (3.6 million, 1.7) remained steady. Rock Center With Brian Williams (4 million, 1.1) jumped 10 percent.

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Fox’s The X Factor (7.3 million, 2.4) rose slightly in the demo but saw a bigger jump in viewership from last week’s comparable telecast (7.3 million vs. 6.3 million). Glee (5.3 million, 2.1) continued its downturn in the ratings, sliding 13 percent.

The CW’s The Vampire Diaries (2.8 million, 1.2) and Beauty and the Beast (1.6 million, 0.6) aired.

CBS topped both viewership (13.6 million) and the demo (3.4) on the evening.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@thr.com
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