Ratings: Community Returns Strong; Missing Off to a Solid Start

Pop pop indeed! Community made its long-awaited return to a huge bump over its last new episode three months ago.
Thursday's episode earned 4.9 million viewers and a 2.2 rating in the adults 18-to-49 demographic — a 46 percent increase in the demo from its winter finale and a 38 percent climb over the season average of 1.6. The show delivered NBC's highest non-sports ratings in the timeslot in 14 months and biggest non-sports audience since October 2010. Community was up 29 percent in the demo from this same time last year and it also snagged a small victory against American Idol, topping the Fox series head to head in the adults 18-to-34 demo (2.8 vs. 2.5). The caveat, though, is that The Big Bang Theory was pre-empted for March Madness.

Lunch 101: Community cast shares their favorite sandwiches

Following Community, 30 Rock (4 million, 2.0) enjoyed a 43 percent bump in the demo from the 1.4 it hit last week in the 8 o'clock slot. ABC has some good news to celebrate too: Missing premiered to 10.6 million viewers and a 2.0 to stake claim as the network's most-watched show of the night, beating out Grey's Anatomy (9.6 million, 3.0) and Private Practice (7 million, 2.2). The Ashley Judd thriller also attracted ABC's biggest audience in the slot in 14 months, but its rating was a tenth below the fall premiere of timeslot predecessor Charlie's Angels.Idol won the night with 15.5 million and a 4.5, down slightly from last week.8 p.m.
CBS: March Madness 4.7 million (1.7) [8-11 p.m.]ABC: Missing10.6 million (2.0)Fox: American Idol 15.5 million (4.5) NBC: Community 4.9 million (2.2); 30 Rock 4 million (2.0)CW: The Vampire Diaries2.6 million(1.2)9 p.m.
ABC: Grey's Anatomy 9.6 million (3.0)Fox: Touch (R) 8.6 million (2.2)NBC: The Office4.8 million (2.3); Up All Night3.6 million (1.7)CW: The Secret Circle 1.6 million (0.7)10 p.m.ABC: Private Practice 7 million (2.2)NBC: Awake 5.05 million (1.6)