PHYSICISTS, MENTALISTS AND PERSONS OF INTEREST MAKE FOR A CBS "BIG BANG" ON THURSDAY

"The Big Bang Theory" is Thursday's #1 Program in Key Demographics

"Person of Interest" Sweeps Time Period, Topping "Grey's Anatomy" in Adults 18-49 for the First Time

"The Mentalist" is First at 10:00 PM

CBS Wins Thursday in Viewers and Adults 25-54

THE BIG BANG THEORY was Thursday's #1 program in adults 18-49, adults 18-34 and adults 25-54 PERSON OF INTEREST topped "Grey's Anatomy" in adults 18-49 for the first time and THE MENTALIST swept its time period, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for April. 5.

THE BIG BANG THEORY, featuring a guest appearance from famed physicist Stephen Hawking, was first in households (7.8/14), viewers (13.01m), adults 25-54 (5.5/16), adults 18-49 (4.2/14) and adults 18-34 (2.9/12). THE BIG BANG THEORY was the night's top program in key demographics.

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was second in households (5.2/09), viewers (8.79m), adults 25-54 (3.6/10), adults 18-49 (2.7/08) and adults 18-34 (1.6/06).

PERSON OF INTEREST was first in households (8.2/13), viewers (13.47m), adults 25-54 (4.1/10) and adults 18-49 (2.9/08). PERSON OF INTEREST beat a first-run "Grey's Anatomy" for the first time ever in adults 18-49 (vs. 2.8/08, +4%) and by its largest margin ever in adults 25-54 (vs. 3.4/09, +21%).

THE MENTALIST was first in households (7.8/13), viewers (12.48m), adults 25-54 (3.4/09) and adults 18-49 (2.4/07), topping the premiere of "Scandal" in all key measures.

For the night, CBS was first in households (7.5/13), viewers (12.28m) and adults 25-54 (4.0/11) and a close second in adults 18-49 (2.9/09, -0.1 behind FOX). In the common two hours (from 8:00-10:00 PM), CBS topped FOX in adults 18-49 (3.2/10 vs. 3.0/09, +7%).