Ratings: The Office Drops Without Steve Carell

Steve Carell wasn't the only one to exit The Office.

Just 6.8 million viewers tuned in for Thursday's first Michael Scott-free episode — 17 percent drop from the week prior. Carell's final episode on April 28 drew 8.25 million viewers. To be fair, however, the episode that aired prior to Carell's exit drew 6.85 million viewers.

NBC's other Thursday-night comedies fared OK. Community's paintball episode brought in 3.5 million, Parks and Recreation drew 5.1 million, and 30 Rock's season finale got 4.2 million. Outsourced, the only series not yet picked up for next season, was down 12 percent with 3.1 million.

Fox won the night with American Idol, which drew 20.8 million viewers, following an episode of Bones that brought in 11.1 million viewers.

CBS, while second for the night, was down across the board. Big Bang Theory was down six percent with 10.3 million, Rules of Engagement dropped four percent with 7.7 million and CSI lost eight percent with 10.5 million. The Mentalist was on par with last week, drawing 13.6 million viewers.

On ABC, the Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice wedding episodes pulled in 9.9 million and 6.9 million viewers, respectively. At 8/7c, Wipeout hit a series low with 4.8 million viewers.

CW rounded out the night with 2.7 million tuning in for The Vampire Diaries, and 1.9 million for Nikita.