Thurdsday continues to be a rough night all around for the Big Four networks, with down arrows all around for entertainment programming.
The big dudes’ loss was the CW’s gain, however: "Vampire Diairies" and "Supernatural" returned from hiatus with nice numbers. More on that in a second.
First, though: ABC’s "FlashForward" continues its slow fade-out, falling another 5 percent to a worst-yet 1.8 rating/6 share in adults 18-49. The show is almost certainly toast, barring a development meltdown at ABC or an acquisition from another network.
The weak lead-in hurt the already ailing "Grey’s Anatomy," which notched a 3.6/8 — down 8 percent from its last original on March 11 and… wait for it… the show’s lowest-rated original ever. "Private Practice" did OK at 10 p.m., with a 2.9/8 up a tad from two weeks ago.
NBC was on par with its regular Thursday average, though most of its shows were down a tad. "Community" (2.0/7), with a brilliantly weird half-hour spoof of buddy cop films and Very Special Moments, was flat. The much-awaited return (by TV MoJoe, at least) of Michael Gross to NBC Thursday via "Parks and Rec" (1.9/5) didn’t move the needle, sadly (the show was down a tad).
"The Office" (3.5/10) and "30 Rock" (2.9/8) were both down 3 percent. But "The Marriage Ref" (2.5/7) held on to a big chunk of its lead-in at 10 (but down 14 percent, and a series low.)
Fox aired low-rated repeats of "Bones" (1.5/5) and "Fringe" (1.1/3). CBS could end up winning most of the night with basketball, but if it were airing dramas this week, it would likely be down, too, at least based on recent trends.
Next week should be interesting, as Fox returns to the game with first-run shows.
As for the CW, "TVD" was No. 1 in women 18-34, tied with NBC at a 2.2/7. And at 9 p.m., "Supernatural" earned a 1.2/4 in adults 18-34, up a tenth from its last original five weeks ago.
