A buzzworthy edition of “How I Met Your Mother” opened 2011 with a bang, scoring a strong adults 18-49 rating and jumping back over the 10 million viewer hump.
The 8PM “Bad News” episode easily won its timeslot 3.9 rating and 10.37 million viewers. The veteran series also represented a valuable kick-off for CBS, which saw all of its Monday comedies improve in the ratings.
“Rules of Engagement” managed a 3.4 with 9.91 million viewers, while “Two and a Half Men” was good for a dominant 4.6 with 15.34 million. “Mike & Molly” posted a 3.7 with 12.59 million, leading into 10PM closer “Hawaii Five-0” (10.84 million, 2.9 rating).
Over on ABC, the only other network to run originals Monday, the latest “The Bachelor” cycle premiered below last season’s opener. The two-hour installment scored a 2.9 with 9.00 million viewers. “Castle” posted a 2.4 with 9.61 million viewers.