Thursday ratings: "The Big Bang Theory," "Elementary" premiere with solid numbers

(CBS News) CBS ruled the prime-time airwaves Thursday night, with the return of "The Big Bang Theory," which notched a 4.8 rating with adults 18-49, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Overall, CBS had a 3.4 adults rating and 13.8 million viewers, as TV fans tuned in to "Person of Interest" (2.9) and the Sherlock Holmes re-boot, "Elementary" (3.1). The new season of CBS' "Two and a Half Men," which debuted in a new Thursday slot, didn't fare as well as previous years. With a 3.5 rating, the sitcom dropped 67 percent from its 2011 premiere, which showcased Ashton Kutcher for the first time.

ABC came in second place on Thursday with 2.9/8 and 9.2 million viewers. The series premiere of ABC's "Last Resort" scored a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49, a sluggish debut for the new show. But TV watchers are apparently still keen on "Grey's Anatomy"; it had a 4.3 adults rating, up five from last year's premiere.

In third place was Fox with a 2.8 rating and 7.6 million viewers. It saw new episodes of "The X Factor" and "Glee." NBC followed -- with its "SNL Election Special" and "Up All Night" -  in fourth place in ratings and total viewers.