Ratings: ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ ‘Parks and Recreation,’ and NBC’s ‘Community’ post gains

It is rare that you have a night when almost every show on the air seems to do better than the week before, but when it comes to January 9, we cite the week-to-week improvement as a result of people settling into their weekly routines more than they were right after New Year’s Day.

The biggest beneficiary of this? Of course, “The Big Bang Theory.” While its 5.7 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 20.35 million viewers were not series highs, the latter case very close. The comedy is skewing a little older this year, but that makes sense given that we are looking at a show that has been on for seven years. Even still, this and “NCIS” are really the only two scripted shows that come anywhere near this figure in an age group where there are so many other options.

Now, we turn over to NBC and a reminder that “Community” and “Parks and Recreation” may actually have a shot at being renewed for another season. The two shows racked up a respective 1.4 and 1.5 rating that are both improvements on recent episodes, and compared to the woeful “Sean Saves the World” and “The Michael J. Fox Show” they are hits. The only real thing that could damage their odds would be if “About a Boy” premieres next month to some big numbers, and then one of them could be in danger. (Personally, we’d find it a real sad move if “Community” falls a season short of its “six seasons and a movie” proclamation.)

The only other thing worth talking about right now? How ABC managed to completely bungle the launch of “The Assets,” which posted a 0.6 rating that is so woeful, it would barely be an asset on The CW. Expect to see this one gone soon, and this is a network that really needs to think how they promote some of their midseason dramas.