TV ratings: ‘Big Bang Theory’ finale scores; ‘Idol,’ ‘Kitchen’ up

Ratings for “The Big Bang Theory” were in orbit Thursday night as the nerdy comedy ended its seventh season.

The CBS sitcom averaged 16.3 million viewers overall, making it the show’s most-watched season finale. It was easily the highest-rated program in the key 18- to 49-year-old demographic, scoring a rating of 4.8, about the same as the previous season’s closer.

The boom from “Big Bang” boosted the Season 1 finale of “The Millers,” starring Will Arnett, which earned a 2.4 in 18-49, 26% better than last week. After a rerun of “Two and a Half Men,” the new “Bad Teacher” earned a grade of 1.4, up 8% from a week ago. “Elementary” also earned a 1.4 with its season finale, but that’s down 30% from a year ago.

On ABC, “Grey’s Anatomy” stitched up its 10th season with 8.6 million viewers total and a 2.5 in 18-49, making it the second-highest rated show of the night in the key demo. “Grey’s” finale was roughly flat with last week’s numbers, but down from the Season 9 finale. ABC’s other Thursday show “Black Box” slipped 8% week-to-week to a 1.1 in the key demographic.

Fox’s lineup posted weekly gains, starting with the Gordon Ramsay cooking show “Hell’s Kitchen,” which rose 13% from last week to a 1.7 in 18-49 and followed by “American Idol,” up 25% from last week’s doldrums to a 2.0 as the veteran singing contest revealed its two finalists.

NBC had a quiet night with “Hollywood Game Night” (1.1 in 18-49) and the second and final part of its “Rosemary’s Baby” remake, which scared up a 1.0 in 18-49 and 3.3 million viewers overall during its two hours.

The CW’s “Vampire Diaries” finished its season strong, up 14% week-to-week in 18-49 (0.8) and 5% in total viewers (1.57 million). Last year’s “Vampire Diaries” ended with a higher 1.1 in 18-49, though. “Reign’s” closer was about flat in all its key demos.