NBC's shelved crime series "Prime Suspect" slipped another 15 percent Thursday night, while "Community" received a slight glimmer of hope, and CBS won the night overall on the strength of the top-rated "Big Bang Theory," according to preliminary numbers.
"Community" on NBC at 8 p.m. — which was pulled from the network's midseason schedule earlier this week, along with "Prime Suspect" — inched up 7 percent from last week, receiving a 1.6/5 in the adults 18-49 demographic and 3.6 million total viewers. "Parks & Recreation" at 8:30 was likewise up, climbing 11 percent for a 2.0/5 in the demo and 3.7 million total viewers. "The Office" at 9 received a 2.9/7 in the demo and 5.5 million total viewers, while "Whitney" at 9:30 dropped 10 percent, hitting a series low with a 1.9/5 in the demo and 4 million total viewers. The evening ended with "Prime Suspect" — which is shutting down production after its initial run of 13 episodes — dropping 15 percent to a 1.1/3 in the demo, tying its series low, and 4.3 million total viewers.
NBC says neither "Community" nor "Prime Suspect" has been canceled, and that "Community" is expected back at some point. The network says it is considering its options with "Prime Suspect."
Also read: 'Community' 'Prime Suspect' Pulled From NBC's Midseason Schedule
At CBS, meanwhile, "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 drew the evening's highest numbers in the demo, drawing a 5.2/15 and 14.8 million total viewers, which also made it the most-watched program of the night. "Rules of Engagement" showed modest gains at 8:30 with a 3.6/10 in the demo and 11 million total viewers. "Person of Interest" at 9 slipped 4 percent from its last original airing two weeks ago to tie its series low with a 2.6/7 in the demo and 11.5 million total viewers. "The Mentalist" at 10 tumbled 14 percent from two weeks ago, tying a season low with a 2.5/7 and 12 million total viewers. The network easily snagged the best overall numbers of the night, averaging a 3.2/8 in the demo and 12.2 million total viewers.
At Fox, "The X Factor" at 8 slipped 9 percent for a 3.0/8 in the demo and 9.4 million total viewers, while "Bones" the following hour had an 8 percent uptick versus last week, receiving a 2.8/7 in the demo and 8.8 million total viewers.
ABC's night consisted of the "20/20" interview with retirement-bound Regis Philbin at 8, which pulled a 1.5/4 in the demo and 8 million total viewers. "Private Practice" at 9 was down 11 percent with a 2.5/7 and 7.1 million total viewers.