Ratings: Scandal Opens Modestly on a Night of Lows

Scandal didn't break out big, but it got off to a decent start for ABC.

Shonda Rhimes' new series premiered Thursday to 7.4 million viewers and a 2.1 in the adults 18-to-49 demographic, putting it on par with Private Practice's performance in the time slot. The show did post the best retention (91 percent) out of Grey's Anatomy since February 2009 and the best audience retention ever in the hour for a non-Grey's-Practice crossover episode.

Who went home on Idol?

Grey's (8.1 million, 2.8) was down slightly from its last new episode, allowing Person of Interest (13.5 million, 2.9) to claim its first win in the head-to-head demo despite falling 12 percent.Most shows suffered drops, including Community (3.1 million, 1.3), 30 Rock (2.8 million, 1.2) and Awake (2.54 million, 0.9), which slipped to series lows. The Big Bang Theory (13 million, 4.2) hit a season low, but was still the night's top-rated show, while American Idol (13.8 million, 3.8), which fell 10 percent, was the most-watched.8 p.m.
CBS: The Big Bang Theory 13 million (4.2); Rules of Engagement 8.8 million (2.7)ABC: Missing7.16 million (1.4)Fox: American Idol 13.8 million (3.8) NBC: Community 3.1 million (1.3); 30 Rock 2.8 million (1.2)CW: The Vampire Diaries(R)1.1 million(0.4)9 p.m.
CBS: Person of Interest 13.5 million (2.9)
ABC: Grey's Anatomy 8.1 million (2.8)Fox: Touch 7.45 million (2.3)NBC: The Office (R) 2.5 million (1.0); Up All Night2.6 million (1.1)CW: The Secret Circle (R) 0.82 million (0.4)10 p.m.
CBS: The Mentalist 12.5 million (2.4)ABC: Scandal 7.4 million (2.1)NBC: Awake 2.54 million (0.9)