CBS had an eventful and successful Thursday, shutting the stage doors on “Two and a Half Men” and introducing the world to its new “Odd Couple” remake.
“Men” topped its timeslot in total viewers, but lost to ABC’s “Scandal” in the advertiser-sought 18-49 demographic by one-tenth of a ratings point, 3.2 to 3.1. The two networks tied for first place overall in the key demo, with CBS claiming a victory in total viewers.
“The Odd Couple” had a strong premiere before Jon Cryer‘s and Ashton Kutcher‘s farewell episode, finishing as the second-highest rated comedy debut (to ABC’s “Black-ish” this season, with a 3.1. The show boasted 13.6 million total viewers per the preliminary numbers. It had the benefit of being sandwiched between the highly anticipated “Men” finale and TV’s biggest comedy, “The Big Bang Theory,” which served as the Matthew Perry–Thomas Lennon vehicle’s lead-in.
“Two and a Half Men’s” 13.2 million total viewers represented a 41 percent increase from last week and the show’s most since April 2013. Its 3.1 demo rating was up 48 percent from last week and is the sitcom’s top mark since May 2013.
CBS and ABC tied for first in ratings, each with a 2.8 rating/9 share in the key demo. CBS was first in total viewers with an average of 12.2 million, ABC was second with 8.8 million.
For CBS, “The Big Bang Theory” at 8 p.m. scored night-highs of a 4.4/15 and 17.2 million viewers. “The Odd Couple” followed at 8:30, and had a 10 share. The “Two and a Half Men” finale at 9 got a 9 share. “Elementary” at 10 received a 1.5/5 and 8.1 million viewers.
For ABC, “Grey’s Anatomy” at 8 posted a 2.5/8 and 8.1 million viewers. “Scandal” at 9 earned a 3.2/9 and 9.5 million viewers. “How to Get Away With Murder” at 10 received a 2.8/9 and 8.8 million viewers.
Univision was third in ratings with a 1.8/6, but fifth and in viewers with 4.2 million. The Spanish-language network aired the 27th annual edition of “Premio Lo Nuestro” Latin music awards.
Fox was fourth in ratings with a 1.5/5 and third in viewers with 6.2 million. “American Idol” at 8 had a 2.1/7 and 8.9 million viewers. “Backstrom” at 9 got a 0.9/3 and 3.5 million viewers.
NBC was fifth in ratings with a 1.1/3 and fourth in viewers with 4.9 million. “The Slap” at 8 received a 0.8/3 and 3.9 million viewers. “The Blacklist” at 9 had a 1.7/5 and 7.5 million viewers. “Allegiance” at 10 got a 0.9/3 and 3.4 million viewers.
Telemundo was sixth in ratings with a 0.6/2 and in viewers with 1.4 million.
The CW was seventh in ratings with a 0.5/2 and in viewers with 1.2 million. “Vampire Diaries” at 8 had a 0.7/2 and 1.4 million viewers. “Reign” at 9 got a 0.4/1 and one million viewers.