Image Credit: Robert Voets/CBS
After a month of repeats, CSI returned slightly lower in the ratings despite an eagerly anticipated cameo appearance by former star William Petersen.
CSI delivered 13.8 million and a 3.0 preliminary adults 18-49 rating, down 9 percent from its last original episode back in early January (video of Petersen’s return here).
The crime procedural wasn’t the only show with ratings in the red last night, however, with most shows posting declines. Increased competition likely played a role, since, for the first time since the start of 2011, every broadcaster aired first-run episodes across the board. Fox led the night with a steady American Idol (21.8 million, 7.5). Bones (10.2 million, 3.3) was down 15 percent from last week’s high now that CSI is back.
CBS and ABC tied for second, with CBS also airing Big Bang Theory (13.8 million, 4.3) and $#*! My Dad Says (10.5 million, 2.8), the latter up 22 percent this week. At 10 p.m., The Mentalist (15.1 million, 2.8) was steady.
ABC’s Wipeout (7.9 million, 2.5) perked up 4 percent, while Grey’s Anatomy (11.1 million, 4.2) was nearly steady and Private Practice (7.1 million, 2.6) slipped 4 percent.
With the exception of a steady 30 Rock (4.8 million, 2.4), NBC’s comedy declined across the board: Community (4.3 million, 2.0) down 9 percent, Perfect Couples (3.1 million, 1.4) down 18 percent, The Office (7.3 million, 3.7) down 8 percent, Parks & Recreation (5.1 million, 2.5) down 17 percent, and Outsourced (3.8 million, 1.8) down 5 percent.
Vampire Diaries (3.2 million, 1.4) was down 13 percent in the adult demo (but managed a 4 percent climb in the network’s women 18-34 target demo) and Nikita (2.4 million, 0.9) fell 18 percent from last week’s midseason premieres.
Read more:
‘CSI’: William Petersen returns as Gil Grissom
‘CSI’ scoop: William Petersen to reprise role in upcoming episode
‘CSI’ exclusive: Time to meet Gil’s long lost mom!
‘CSI’ scoop: Marg Helgenberger talks about her contract, her TV boyfriend and William Petersen
not a big deal, but CSI had 2 new Jan epsiodes, the last one was 2 weeks ago, Jan 20th
Right you are, for some reason it was coded as a repeat … updated…
It was a fantastic episode
CSI is a shadow of its former self
Maybe it could be that we are in the middle of a freaking WINTER STORM and tons of people still have no power!
LOL, what a lame excuse. Look at the shows that were steady or went up in the ratings. Did this supposed widespread power failure just magically not affect them? People just didn’t want to watch crappy old CSI, ha!
CSI beat both Greys and Bones,
It would have been better if they had promoted it with Grissom; but I guess they had their reasons. I would be interested in what the online viewing and dvr playback are for this. It seems to be getting rave reviews on the fan boards. For me. this was one of the best CSI episodes in a very long time. Jorja and cast were all superb, and the tone of the show was just right in all the right places. And, the final scene with Grissom made it absolutely perfect. Too bad many missed it.
I don’t believe it who ever the 9 people are they must not watch CSI or they didn’t like the thing with the deaf I love the episode I love all of the CSI’s I was very happy to see Grissom again I hope he comes back soon
The only show I watch on Thursdays is The Vampire Diaries.
Noted
Unless you read articles like this, most people would have no idea that Grissom would make an appearance. I didn’t notice it on commercials. So those who have already fled CSI wouldn’t just suddenly tune in to an arbitrary program. Too bad, as that last scene was worth it. And how happy did Sara look when she was looking at Grissom? That’s love.
Also, I wonder how much power outages actually affect ratings. If a Nielsen house is out, does it just show that no one watched anything? Does anyone know? Thanks!
Thought about watching it since I haven’t watched CSI since William Petersen left, but after seeing the awkward scene with the three – glad I didn’t tune in! Who could believe a marriage where the two never see each other? And I was never for the GSR storyline anyway.
sorry Grey’s always wins for me. I will watch CSI on demand
Many people did not hear that again and that CBS never did promotions with suspense around even think about it. Some sites, like you, he was promoted but others not even mentioned. To this we must add that the promotion of the CTV in Canada, where his image appeared was quicky withdrawn. A missed opportunity hurt.
IF CSI/CBS had promoted this CSI, ratings would have skyrocketed–but it was not advertised, certainly the return of Grissom was barely mentioned. The episode was the best all season, probably the best in two years as we got to see 3 women who had been part of Grissom’s life, as well wonderful scenes with Nick, Hodges, and Brass as they tormented poor Sara!!
Power outages made the ratings low? LOL, then why did some of the other shows stay the same or go UP in the ratings? The bad weather made more people stay indoors, but relatively few of them lost power. They just didn’t want to watch a washed-up has-been like boring old CSI.
I love how 13.8 million viewers is a bad turn out…. It still beat like 95% of the prime time shows so I don’t understand what the hubbub is about.
The problem with CSI is it’s no longer believable. In the early years the roles of both police and CSIs were accurately portrayed. Now the CSIs are depicted doing police work, e.g., as part of armed teams “clearing” buildings, interviewing suspects, etc. And the role of Laurence Fishburne, the larger-than-life MD-turned-CSI, is almost laughable.