TV ratings: 'Big Bang Theory' gives 'American Idol' competition, 'Awake,' 'Missing,' 'Touch' down

Fast National ratings for Thursday, March 29, 2012

With no NCAA basketball tournament games on last night, CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" gave FOX's "American Idol" results show some serious competition Thusday (March 29) night. The nerdtastic show's episode featuring guest Leonard Nimoy (or at least his voice) beat "Idol" in the 18-49 demographic during its half hour and came close in overall viewers. 

Elsewhere, ABC's "Missing" was down this week, as was NBC's "Awake" and FOX's "Touch." CBS' "The Mentalist" returned from its two-week basketball hiatus, winning its 10 p.m. time slot in overall viewers and the 18-49 demo.

CBS nabbed the top spot away from FOX Thursday for total viewers, averaging 13.04 million and a 8.1 rating/13 share in households. FOX was second with 12.2 million (7.4/12). ABC (4.9 million, 3.4/6) came in third ahead of NBC (3.1 million, 2.0/3) and The CW (1.85 million, 1.3/2).

In the adults 18-49 demographic, FOX won with a 3.5 rating. CBS had a 3.2, NBC had a 1.3, ABC 1.2 and The CW 0.9.

Thursday hour by hour:

8 p.m.

FOX: "American Idol" results (15.27 million viewers, 9.2/15 households)
CBS: "The Big Bang Theory" (13.64 million, 8.3/14)/"Rules of Engagement" (8.82 million, 5.4/9)
ABC: "Missing" (7.72 million, 5.1/9)
NBC: "Community" (3.6 million, 2.2/4)/"30 Rock" (3.2 million, 2.1/3)
The CW: "The Vampire Diaries" (2.36 million, 1.5/3)

18-49 leader: "The Big Bang Theory" (4.5)

9 p.m.

CBS: "Person of Interest" (14.4 million, 8.9/14)
FOX: "Touch" (9.13 million, 5.5/9)
ABC: "Grey's Anatomy" rerun (4.21 million, 3.0/5)
NBC: "The Office" rerun (2.6 million, 1.8/3)/"Up All Night" (2.95 million, 1.9/3)
The CW: "The Secret Circle" (1.34 million, 1.0/2)

18-49 leader: "Person of Interest" (3.3)

10 p.m.

CBS: "The Mentalist" (13.48 million, 8.5/14)
NBC: "Awake" (3.13 million, 2.1/4)
ABC: "Private Practice" rerun (2.8 million, 2.1/3)

18-49 leader: "The Mentalist" (2.7)

Ratings information includes live and same-day DVR viewing. All numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Source: The Nielsen Company.