Paging: Patrick Dempsey — there’s an emergency brewing at Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital.
“Grey’s Anatomy” could use a little more Dr. McDreamy — or at least his death storyline — on ABC’s airwaves. The Shonda Rhimes medical drama dropped 15 percent on Thursday versus last week, when it had already slipped back down to Earth a bit from the numbers posted by the prior week’s shocking episode.
As a result, CBS managed to tie ABC atop the key ratings demo. CBS also took first place in total viewers, thanks in large part to “The Big Bang Theory” season finale.
CBS and ABC tied for first in ratings, both with a 1.8 rating/6 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic. CBS was first in total viewers with an average of 8.4 million, according to preliminary numbers. ABC was second with 6.5 million.
For CBS, “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 p.m. scored primetime-bests of a 3.5/14 and 14.3 million viewers. “The Odd Couple” at 8:30 dipped from last week’s demo number to a 1.8/7 and 8.5 million viewers. A special second episode at 9 fell further to a 1.5/5 and 7 million viewers. Following a rerun at 9:30, “Elementary” at 10 had a 1.1/4 and 6.9 million viewers.
For ABC, “Grey’s” at 8 received a 2.2/8 and 7.9 million viewers. “Scandal” at 9 got a 2.2/7 and 7.4 million viewers. “American Crime” at 10 posted a 1.0/3 and 4.3 million viewers.
Fox was third in ratings with a 1.1/4 and fourth in viewers with 4.5 million. “Bones” at 8 had a 1.1/4 and 4.7 million viewers. A special second episode at 9 had the same demo rating, but lost about 300,000 viewers.
Univision was fourth in ratings with a 1.0/3 and fifth in viewers with 2.5 million.
NBC was fifth in ratings with a 0.9/3, but third in viewers with 5 million. Following a rerun, “The Blacklist” at 9 got a 1.4/5 and 6.7 million viewers. “Dateline” at 10 received a 0.8/3 and 4.9 million viewers.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.7/2 and in viewers with 1.6 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.1 million. “Vampire Diaries” at 8 had a 0.6/2 and 1.3 million viewers. “Reign” at 9 got a 0.3/1 and 964,000 viewers.
11 of TV's Hottest Couples From 'Grey's Anatomy' to 'The Walking Dead' (Photos)
Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo upgraded from hooking up in cars to getting married on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Can anything be sexier than lifelong commitment? Well, their steamy shower last winter might be.
Even if you ignore the fact that Ian Somerhalder is an immortal creature on The CW's "Vampire Diaries," the attraction between him and Nina Dobrev is magnetic.
Whether you've been watching Showtime's Golden Globe-winning drama "The Affair" or not, the steamy ads portraying Ruth Wilson and Dominic West alone should sell you on their chemistry.
Showtime
After a first season of lust from afar, Jonathan Groff's Patrick and Russell Tovey's Kevin are (spoiler alert) sealing the deal in a torrid affair on Season 2 of HBO's "Looking."
HBO
Mindy Kaling was given major props for cutting out several seasons-worth of lingering questions on Fox's "The Mindy Project," jumping right into a romance on-screen with Chris Messina.
FOX
There's always major competition for hottest romance on a romp like "Pretty Little Liars," but Hanna (Ashley Benson) and Caleb's (Tyler Blackburn) rekindled love lands them on our list.
The CW
Fitz and Olivia. Olivia and Fitz. How could we omit them? Even a mercenary kidnapping and black market trade can't stop the "Scandal" lovebirds.
ABC
Good luck getting hotter, heavier and more powerful than Frank (Kevin Spacey) and Claire Underwood (Robin Wright) on Netflix's political drama "House of Cards."
Netflix
Old love is always something to gush over. The force between Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan in Starz's "Outlander" would make anyone want to travel centuries back in time and get roped into the life of a dashing Scottish warrior.
Starz
Gina Rodriguez and Justin Baldoni on The CW's "Jane the Virgin" seem destined to be together after sharing a kiss five years ago -- and now they are accidentally expecting a child.
The CW
Fans of "The Walking Dead" have seen Steve Yeun (Glenn) and Lauren Cohan's (Maggie) relationship blossom since Season 2. Both are good looking in their own right, but who can forget their "quickie" in the prison during Season 3?
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Whether they are vampires, doctors, illicit couples or deadly duos, TheWrap picks the Valentine’s Day lovebirds who know how to heat things up all season long
Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo upgraded from hooking up in cars to getting married on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy." Can anything be sexier than lifelong commitment? Well, their steamy shower last winter might be.