The sudden ratings downturn has now lasted for an entire week, with many flagship Thursday night shows dipping from last week’s already-low numbers.
Particularly disappointing was the performance for NBC’s “The Office,” which mustered only a 3.3 adults 18-49 rating with 6.41 million viewers for its special “Threat Level Midnight” episode. A callback to the discovery of Michael Scott’s movie script from season two, the episode delivered some nostalgia as Steve Carell (Michael) prepares to exit the show. Yet neither the novelty of the movie nor Carell’s forthcoming departure did anything to reverse the ratings decline.
Much of the other comedies in NBC’s lineup also took a hit. 8PM entry “Community” was stable with a 1.8 and 4.16 million, but “Perfect Couples” dipped to a 1.4 with 3.05 million. “Parks & Recreation,” with a lighter “The Office” lead-in, dropped to a 2.3 and 4.39 million. After several weeks of beating expectations at 10PM, “30 Rock” finally sank to a low number, delivering just a 2.0 with 4.06 million. And “Outsourced” continued its “dud” status with a 1.5 and 3.21 million.
CBS’ hit Thursday comedy “The Big Bang Theory” was also down, posting a season low in adults 18-49 rating. After holding up well for the “American Idol” Thursday night premiere in January, “Big Bang” has been on a consistent decline, and its latest episode could only score a 3.7 rating with 12.48 million viewers. “$#*! My Dad Says” wrapped its first season with a mediocre 2.6 and 9.78 million.
