The TV ratings for Thursday, January 22nd are in.  Here are some of the highlights:

  • Despite warnings from critics, many still tuned in to see Fox's Backstrom for themselves (probably Rainn Wilson fans, but even they will be hard pressed to stick with this run of the mill "bad guy / good at his job" series).  Specifically, the series premiere pulled a 2.0 in the ratings share, and about 7.98 million viewers overall (although 14 percent left halfway through).  That's not a bad start, but let's see if it lasts, especially once ABC's Thursday ratings juggernaut dramas return.
  • The CW is not having a great time with its series returning from hiatus.  First The Flash pulled very disappointing numbers, while Arrow merely stayed average (to its credit, The 100 seems to be doing petty well).  Last night at 8 p.m., The Vampire Diaries tied a series low, scoring 0.7 in adult 18-49, while Reign at 9 p.m. brought in a paltry 0.4.  Both are down about 20 percent from their midseason finales, and averaging an audience of about 1.4 million each.
  • NBC's Parenthood, which apparently was just one massive sad face of an episode, pulled 1.3 and 4.43 million viewers, putting it behind Elementary, which won CBS the 10 p.m. timeslot with a 1.5 ratings share, and 8.24 million tuning in.
  • As far as unscripted programming goes, American Idol continues to rise, grabbing 2.7 in the ratings, and pulling 10.54 viewers.  NBC's Biggest Loser got a 9 percent uptick from last week with a 1.1 and 4.64 million viewers, while the finale of The Taste on ABC dropped 11 percent from last week to 0.8 and 3 million viewers, ending on a low note.