'Big Bang's' fans move to new slot

CBS' theory that "The Big Bang Theory" could open up a new block of comedies passed a big test Thursday night, as the transplanted sitcom drew nearly 14 million viewers at 8 p.m., according to the preliminary Nielsens, and placed first in every demographic advertisers (and CBS) care about: 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54.

That's not only better than its Monday season premiere a year ago, it's better than "Survivor: Samoa" did in the same half-hour last fall.

"Theory's" successful move proved to be good news, too, for William Shatner, whose "$#*! My Dad Says" opened at 8:30 p.m. with 12.47 million viewers.

Fox's "Bones" placed second in the hour, with nearly 9.8 million viewers, followed by NBC's "Community" (5 million) and "30 Rock" (5.8 million), ABC's new mockumentary "My Generation" (5.22 million) and the CW's "Vampire Diaries" (3.57 million).

At 9 p.m., the returning "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," with nearly 14.6 million viewers, edged ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," which drew 14 million, but placed third among 18- to 49-year-olds, behind "Grey's" and NBC's "The Office," whose total viewership was 8.4 million.

At 9:30 p.m., NBC's new "Outsourced" drew 7.43 million, and held onto the network's second place in 18-49. Fox's "Fringe," with 5.8 million, ran fourth for the hour, and the CW's "Nikita" fifth, with 3.2 million.

The most-watched show of the night: CBS' "The Mentalist," with more than 15.3 million viewers and a tie with ABC's "Private Practice" for first in 18-49.

Biggest loser: NBC's "The Apprentice," which averaged 3.84 million viewers at 10 p.m., a number not even Donald Trump should be able to spin as a win.

- Ellen Gray