CBS tops Thursday in demos

CBS comedy smash ''The Large Bang Theory'' was by far primetime's top-ranked program on Thursday, running the internet to some demo victory over Fox, which saw declines for ''The X Factor.'' With ABC's ''Grey's Anatomy'' around the sidelines, Fox's ''Bones'' and CBS' ''Person of Interest'' were the night's top dramas in demos. Based on preliminary national estimations, the very first CBS Thursday victory of year in grown ups 18-49 was paced with a large showing by ''The Large Bang Theory'' (5.2/15 in 18-49, 14.8 million audiences overall), that was up nearly 20% in the same evening this past year, along with a winning perf at 8:30 p.m. by ''Rules of Engagement'' (3.6/10 in 18-49, 11. million audiences overall), which itself worked out 20% much better than ''Bleep My Father Says'' within the timeslot last year. The comedies were then dramas ''Person of Interest'' (2.6/7 in 18-49, 11.six million audiences overall) and ''The Mentalist'' (2.5/7 in 18-49, 12.a million audiences overall), both lower about 15% from last year's 9-11 p.m. dramas (''CSI'' and ''Mentalist'') still, ''Person'' was no. 1 drama from the evening in grown ups 25-54 (3.7/8). At Fox, ''The X Factor'' was around the low side (3./8 in 18-49, 9.5 million audiences overall), placing second within the 8 o'clock hour and jumping dramatically in the other half-hour (3.4 versus. 2.7). The internet then gone to live in the 18-49 lead at 9 o'clock with ''Bones'' (2.8/7 in 18-49, 8.8 million audiences overall), which required benefit of ''Grey's Anatomy's'' absence to develop week to week and lead all dramas for that evening in 18-49. ABC assisted its cause by airing a Katie Couric ''20/20'' special on Regis Philbin (1.5/4 in 18-49, 8. million audiences overall), which carried out about 35% much better than last week's episode of ''Charlie's Angels'' within the timeslot. The special was then a 2-hour episode of ''Private Practice'' (2.5/7 in 18-49, 7.two million audiences overall), that was lower from the hourlong earnings of a week ago but nonetheless edged out ''The Mentalist'' because the top-ranked 10 p.m. broadcast series in 18-49. At NBC, ''Community'' (1.6/5 in 18-49, 3.six million audiences overall) and ''Parks and Recreation'' (2./5 in 18-49, 3.7 million audiences overall) were up week to week, finishing in front of ABC's ''20/20'' special in demos. These were then ''The Office'' (2.9/7 in 18-49, 4.a million audiences overall), that was consistent with a week ago and brought its half-hour in 18-49, and ''Whitney'' (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.a million audiences overall), lower a few ticks week to week. Also lower was outgoing 10 p.m. drama ''Prime Suspect'' (1.1/3 in 18-49, 4.4 million audiences overall). CW rested dramas ''The Vampire Diaries'' and ''The Secret Circle,'' and opted for theatrical ''Beneath the Blue'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 2.six million audiences overall). Amounts for that pic, which stars Paul Wesley of ''Vampire Journals,'' are susceptible to revision because the affiliate-based preliminaries include preemptions in Colorado and NY for National football league action. Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: CBS, 3.2/8 Fox, 2.9/8 ABC, 2.2/6 NBC, 1.8/5 Univision, 1.6/4 CW, .8/2. As a whole audiences: CBS, 12.two million Fox, 9.a million ABC, 7.5 million NBC, 4.3 million Univision, 3.7 million CW, 2.six million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com