SEASON FINALES OF CBS's THURSDAY COMEDIES GO OUT WITH A "BANG"

"The Big Bang Theory" and "Rules of Engagement" Post Week-to-Week Gains

The Two-Hour Season Finale of "The Mentalist" Wins Its Time Period in Viewers and Adults 25-54

The season finales of THE BIG BANG THEORY and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT posted week-to-week gains while the two-hour season finale of THE MENTALIST won its time period in viewers and adults 25-54, according to Nielsen preliminary live plus same day ratings for Thursday, May 19.

THE BIG BANG THEORY was second in households (6.8/12), viewers (11.12m), adults 25-54 (4.5/13) and adults 18-49 (3.5/12). Compared to last week, THE BIG BANG THEORY was up +5% in both households (from 6.5/11) and adults 25-54 (from 4.3/13), +3% in adults 18-49 (from 3.4/11) and added +340,000 viewers (from 10.78m, +3%).

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was second in households (5.4/09), viewers (8.80m), adults 25-54 (3.4/09) and adults 18-49 (2.5/07). Compared to last week, RULES OF ENGAGEMENT was up +8% in households (from 5.0/08), +6% in adults 25-54 (from 3.2/08), even in adults 18-49 and added +640,000 viewers (from 8.16m, +8%).

The two-hour season finale of THE MENTALIST was first in households (8.5/13), viewers (13.75m) and adults 25-54 (3.9/09), and averaged 2.7/07 in adults 18-49 (2.7/07).

For the night, CBS was second in households (7.7/12), viewers (12.49m), adults 25-54 (4.0/10) and adults 18-49 (2.8/08).

Updated Thursday ratings will be available this afternoon.