Ratings Rat Race: 'Touch' Slides In Week 2, 'Rules Of Engagement' Inches Up In Return

CBS’ regular Thursday lineup returned last night after two weeks of NCAA basketball, bringing with it veteran Rules Of Engagement. The Big Bang Theory (4.5/15 in adults 18-49, 13.6 million total viewers) was down 13% from its last original three weeks ago but still ranked as the top program of the night in 18-49. Rules Of Engagement (2.8/8) was up a tenth from its last original in December and down two tenths from the last Rob that aired behind a new Big Bang. Person Of Interest (3.3/9) and The Mentalist (2.7/8) were both down a tenth from their last originals three weeks ago.

Fox’s American Idol (4.2/13, 15.3 million viewers) was up 5% in 18-49 and 2% in total viewers from last week’s fast nationals. Touch (2.8/7) was down 13% from its official series premiere last week. Fox won the night in 18-49, CBS in total viewers.

NBC’s Community (1.7/6) matched its demo result from last week when it didn’t face Big Bang and ranked as NBC’s highest-rated program on Thursday night for a second straight week with The Office in repeats. 30 Rock (1.5/4) also was flat with last week, while Up All Night (1.3/4) was down 13% and Awake (1.0/3) was down 17%, both hitting series lows. With such dismal performance, NBC (1.3/4 in 18-49) fell behind Univision (1.5/4) on a night the peacock once dominated.

Like Awake and Touch, the third midseason Thursday drama, ABC’s Missing (1.4/4, 7.7 million), also fell, down 12% from last week to a new low. Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice were reruns. The CW’s The Vampire Diaries (1.1/3) and The Secret Circle (0.6/2) were both down to season/series lows.