NBC experienced a rough Thursday with two series lows while "American Idol" continued its dominance despite a drop in the ratings compared to last week's performance, according to preliminary numbers.
The "Idol" elimination episode on Fox at 8 p.m. -- with its upset elimination of Pia Toscano -- was the evening's highest-rated show, garnering a 6.1 rating/19 share in the adults 18-49 demographic and 20.6 million total viewers -- a drop from last week's 6.7/20 and 22 million viewers. A new episode of "Bones" at 9 grabbed a 3.4/9 in the demo and 11.2 million total viewers, winning the time slot.
NBC's lineup, meanwhile, gave "The Paul Reiser Show," debuting next Thursday, plenty to improve upon.
Also read: 'Outsourced,' 'Perfect Couples,' and Other Shows We Think Are Doomed
A previously aired "Community" at scored a 0.8/3 in the demo and 2.2 million total viewers. A new "Perfect Couples" followed at 8:30, taking a 1.0/3 in the demo -- tied with last week's performance -- and 2.2 million total viewers, while a rerun of "The Office" at 9 received a 1.7/5 with 3.5 million total viewers. A "Parks and Recreation" rerun at 9:30 had a 1.4/4 and 2.9 million total viewers, followed by a previously broadcast "30 Rock," which pulled a 1.3/3 and 2.6 million total viewers. "Outsourced" closed the evening at 10 with a 1.3/4 in the demo and 2.9 million total viewers. The show's last original airing on March 24 garnered a 1.5/4 and 3.6 million total viewers for the show.
Both "Outsourced" and "Perfect Couples" hit series lows -- with "Perfect Couple" tying its low for last week. Both shows made TheWrap's list of Shows We Think Are Doomed -- and the fate of "Perfect Couples" seems especially grim given that "Reiser" will replace it in the Thursday lineup.
CBS scored the second-highest rating of the evening with "The Big Bang Theory" at 8, which snagged a 3.6/12 and 11.2 million total viewers. "Rules of Engagement" followed at 8:30 with a 2.5/8 -- a slight ratings gain over the previous week's 2.3/7 -- and 8.6 million total viewers. "CSI" at 9 took a 2.8/8 in the demo and 12.8 million total viewers, a slight improvement over last week. "The Mentalist" closed the night at 10 with a 2.9/8 in the demo and 14.6 million total viewers, up from last week's 2.8/7 and 13.8 million total viewers.
ABC's primetime lineup consisted of all repeats. "Winter Wipeout" at 8 took a 1.6/5 in the demo and 5.1 million total viewers, "Grey's Anatomy" the following hour scored a 1.3/4 and 4 million total viewers, and "Private Practice" netted a 0.8/2 and 2.4 million total viewers.
