Image Credit: CBS
The premiere of Rob Schneider’s critically disparaged CBS sitcom was shockingly strong in the ratings on Thursday night, while Fox’s Bones spinoff The Finder couldn’t seem to locate a big audience. And the return of 30 Rock might make Community fans nervous.
Rob was seen by 13.5 million viewers and delivered a hearty 4.1 adults 18-49 rating at 8:30 p.m. following the Big Bang Theory (15.9 million, 5.2). Though the comedy fell from its huge lead-in (every show does in this slot) it gave CBS its best number in the time period since May 2010.
Over on Fox, the official premiere of The Finder (5.5 million, 1.7) dropped from its Bones opener (8.6 million, 2.4) with a modest rating. Moreover, it came in fourth place in the hour.
The return of 30 Rock (4.6 million, 1.8) did better for NBC at 8 p.m. than Community in the slot. In fact, it matched Community‘s best number in the time period all season. Yet the move didn’t help the show — Rock was down 31 percent from last year’s premiere and had its lowest-rated debut ever. While moving Up All Night (4.3 million, 2.0) into the post-Office slot only mildly improved its number. At 10 p.m., the time-period premiere of The Firm (4.2 million, 1.0) dropped 29 percent from its Sunday debut — right into Prime Suspect ratings territory.
Also Thursday:
CBS won the night, also airing Person of Interest (3.2), up 14 percent, and a steady Mentalist (2.7). ABC ranked second despite its block dropping with Wipeout (2.2), Grey’s Anatomy (3.8) and Private Practice (2.4), all down between 11 and 19 percent. Fox was third. NBC was fourth, also airing Parks and Recreation (1.9) and The Office (2.9), fairly steady. The CW’s Vampire Diaries (1.2) dipped a bit, but Secret Circle (0.8) was unchanged.
