Ratings: Scandal, Community Improve; Idol on Top

Scandal  may be a keeper for ABC.
Bucking the second-week slump that usually plagues new series, the ABC drama grew Thursday, drawing 7.5 million viewers and a 2.1 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic. Scandal topped the 10 o'clock hour, which included a new Awake and a Person of Interest repeat, and notched the biggest audience in the time slot for ABC since Jan. 5. Lead-in Grey's Anatomy (8.8 million, 2.9) also rose, but Missing (7.9 million, 1.4) hit a series low.

Grey's: Should Cristina forgive Owen?

American Idol (15.3 million, 4.2), up three tenths from last week, and Touch (8.2 million, 2.3), which held steady, led Fox to another win. CBS came in second for the evening despite airing mostly repeats. Most notably, its 9 o'clock repeat of The Big Bang Theory (10.25 million, 3.0) trumped originals of Grey's, Touch and The Office (4.35 million, 2.1) in that half-hour. CBS' only new show of the night, Rules of Engagement, was flat with 8.5 million viewers and a 2.7.With Big Bang in repeat mode, Community (3.2 million, 1.4) inched up 8 percent. 30 Rock (3 million, 1.4) and Up All Night (3.2 million, 1.5), which aired its season finale, also improved, but Awake (2.7 million, 0.9) matched a series low.

8 p.m.
CBS: The Big Bang Theory (R) 9.6 million (2.8); Rules of Engagement 8.5 million (2.7)
ABC: Missing7.9 million (1.4)
Fox: American Idol 15.3 million (4.2)
NBC: Community 3.2 million (1.4); 30 Rock 3 million (1.4)
CW: The Vampire Diaries(R)1.08 million(0.4)
9 p.m.
CBS: The Big Bang Theory (R) 10.25 million (3.0); 2 Broke Girls (R)7.4 million (2.1)
ABC: Grey's Anatomy 8.8 million (2.9)
Fox: Touch 8.2 million (2.3)
NBC: The Office 4.35 million (2.1); Up All Night3.2 million (1.5)
CW: The Secret Circle (R) 0.85 million (0.3)
10 p.m.
CBS: Person of Interest (R) 8.7 million (1.8)
ABC: Scandal 7.4 million (2.1)
NBC: Awake 2.7 million (0.9)