Ratings: ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Two and a Half Men,’ ‘Person of Interest’ hit highs

This, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when you put new episodes of high-rating shows up against repeats. If you thought that “The Big Bang Theory” was a monster before, just wait until you see the ratings now.

Overall, the latest episode of the hit CBS sitcom managed to go completely out of the park for its return to TV in the new year, as it hit a series-high-tying 6.0 rating in the 18-49 demographic. This is by far the highest rating of the fall TV season on any network, and the only real competition for it at all anymore is new episodes of “The Walking Dead” over on AMC. In addition to this, the show also scored an impressive 18.9 million viewers.

The one thing that makes this rating all the more interesting is that Sheldon Cooper and company is single-handedly helping to save “Two and a Half Men” from cancellation. The show’s own winter premiere posted a season-high 4.6 rating, which suggests to us that it is really possible that Chuck Lorre, Ashton Kutcher, and the rest of the gang may still find a way to come back for what would be a landmark 11th season. (Prior to the start of this year, many assumed that the end was near.)

As for the CBS dramas, the lack of competition allowed them both to rise to various levels. When it comes to “Person of Interest,” its 3.4 rating with over 16 million viewers marks a new series high for this show without competing against “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Glee.” Meanwhile, “Elementary” also rose to a 2.5, though we are slightly disappointed about this given how high some of the network’s other ratings are.

Are you shocked by these ratings at all? If you want to read our review of this “Big Bang Theory” episode, be sure to head on over to the link here.

Photo: CBS