Ratings: Patrick Dempsey's Surprise 'Grey's Anatomy' Return on ABC

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Ratings: Patrick Dempsey's Surprise 'Grey's Anatomy' Return Is Thursday's Top Entertainment Show

by Tony Maglio | November 13, 2020 @ 8:44 AM

But ABC medical drama's Season 17 premiere was down from last year's start

Thursday was a (Mc)Dream(y) come true for "Grey's Anatomy" fans. Patrick Dempsey made a surprise return to the ABC medical drama -- via Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) dreams -- for its Season 17 premiere.

While the cameo helped make "Grey's" broadcast television's top entertainment show in primetime last night, the two-hour premiere was down from last year's Season 16 start (a 1.5 rating and 6.5 million viewers). It also couldn't keep up with a lackluster NFL game on Fox, though that is to be expected.

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Football is like sex. Even when it's bad-- well, you know the saying.

Since the Dr. McDreamy guest spot was unannounced, readers should expect a good amount of growth in delayed viewing. Dempsey will be on again next week, so now fans know what to expect.

Also Read: 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Flip Over Season 17 Premiere's Dreamy Character Return

Fox was first in ratings with a 2.1 rating/12 share in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and in total viewers with an average of 8 million, according to preliminary numbers. Those were the averages for the Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans "Thursday Night Football" game.

ABC was second in ratings with a 1.2/7 and in viewers with 5.9 million. The "Station 19" Season 4 premiere at 8 p.m. drew a 1.1/6 and 6.3 million viewers. From 9 to 11, the "Grey's" season premiere landed a 1.3/8 and 5.7 million viewers.

CBS was third in ratings with a 0.5/3 and in viewers with 4.1 million. "Young Sheldon" at 8 posted a 0.8/4 and 7.1 million viewers. At 8:30, "B Positive" had a 0.5/3 and 4.7 million viewers. "Mom" at 9 got a 0.6/3 and 5.1 million viewers. The Season 4 premiere of "The Unicorn" at 9:30 settled for a 0.4/2 and 4 million viewers. An episode of CBS All Access series "Star Trek: Discovery" followed, finishing off primetime.

Also Read: 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Jason George on How to Avoid Getting Killed Off (Exclusive Video)

NBC and Univision tied for fourth in ratings, both with a 0.4/2. NBC was fourth in total viewers with 2.2 million, Univision was fifth with 1.1 million.

Fox NBC, "Superstore" at 8 had a 0.5/3 and 2.3 million viewers. Following a rerun, the Season 22 premiere of "Law & Order: SVU" at 9 got a 0.6/3 and 2.9 million viewers. A Paley Center special celebrating the "Law & Order: SVU" cast at 10 managed a 0.3/2 and 1.8 million viewers.

Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.3/2 and in viewers with 914,000.

The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.2/1 and in viewers with 722,000. "Supernatural" at 8 had a 0.3/1 and 1 million viewers. At 9, "The Outpost" got a 0.1/0 and 436,000 viewers.