Nellie Andreeva

There is a new ratings king on Thursday. For the first time, the new kid on the Thursday block, CBS’ transplant The Big Bang Theory (4.0/13, 12.9 million), ranked as the highest-rated program on the night in 18-49, supplanting perennial winner Grey’s Anatomy. The comedy accomplished the feat on its fifth airing on the night, a nice validation of CBS’ risky scheduling move. Big Bang was down a tenth from the comedy’s 18-49 fast national result last week, while its lead-out, newly picked-up freshman $#*! My Dad Says (3.1/9) was flat, improving its 18-49 retention from last week to 78%. (Both comedies went up in the finals last week, Big Bang by .2, $#*! by .1) Both Big Bang and $#*! were up in total viewers from last week, by 3% and 7%, respectively. Veteran CSI (3.3/9, up 6%, 14.7 million, up 2%) continued its resurgence with a second consecutive week of ratings gains. But The Mentalist (2.9/9) was down 9% from its fast national number last week to post its lowest-rated telecast in the Thursday 10 PM slot, which it still won. (The Mentalist may gain a tenth of a rating point in the finals as it did last week.) CBS won the night by a wide margin in 18-49 (3.3/9) and total viewers (13.6 million), its fifth consecutive Thursday win.

After getting a ratings boost last week with its live episode, NBC’s 30 Rock (2.2/7) took a 27% drop last night vs. its fast national number last weel. Its lead-in, Community (1.9/6) was down 14%. Its lead-out, The Office (3.4/9) and newly renewed freshman comedy Outsourced (2.3/6) were both down 8% fast nationals-vs.-fast nationals. (30 Rock, The Office and Outsourced all went up a tenth in the finals last week). For Outsourced, this was a series low and its weakest retention (68%, tied with last week) to date. At 10 PM, The Apprentice kept its streak alive, logging a 1.3/4 for a fourth consecutive week.

Following a Grey’s Anatomy repeat (1.2/4), an original Grey’s (3.9/10) was down 13% from its fast national number last week (15% from its final). Private Practice (2.8/8) was down 7%.

Fox’s coverage of MLB NLCS Game 5 (2.9/8), in which the Phillies fought off elimination to extended the series against the Giants, was up 12% from the most recent NLCS Game 5 on Fox 2 years ago.

Vampire Diaries matched its season high in total viewers (3.6 million), adults 18-34 (1.9/6) and 18-49 (1.6/5). Nikita (2.8 million, 1.1/3 in 18-34) was up a tenth in the 18-34 its last original airing but its demo retention was a so-so 58%.

TV Editor Nellie Andreeva - tip her here.