This is starting to become a trend. For the past two weeks, The Big Bang Theory (7 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2) has beaten American Idol (7 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13) in the ratings.
Somewhat stunningly, last week "Big Bang" had its biggest audience ever. It drew 16.38 million viewers to 15.82 million for "Idol" from 7-7:30 p.m. MT.
(If you see ratings indicating "Idol" had more viewers than "Big Bang," that's not head-to-head. It's the full hour of "Idol," and the second 30 minutes faces less competition from CBS's "Rob.")
This is, apparently, the first time a scripted series has ever beaten "American Idol" in the ratings. And "Big Bang Theory" has now done it twice.
And the sitcom didn't just win in viewers and households, it also won in the demographics that matter - adults 18-34, 18-49 and 25-54 - for the second week in a row.
"American Idol" is still a hugely popular show. But the days when it blew everything else out of the water are over.
By the way, on tonight's episode of "The Big Bang Theory," the university forces Sheldon to take a vacation.
And on tonight's "American Idol," the Hollywood round of the competition continues.
Elsewhere on TV ...
Wipeout (7 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): It's a Valentine's Day episode.
30 Rock (7 and 7:30 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5): Criss and Liz plan their Valentine's Day celebration; Jack spends time with his mother-in-law (Mary Steenburgen).
The Vampire Diaries (7 p.m., CW/Ch. 30): Klaus invites Elena to a formal ball.
Women's college basketball (7 p.m., BYUtv): Gonzaga at BYU
Men's college basketball (7 p.m., FCSP): Weber State at Northern Arizona
Project Runway: All Stars (7, 9 and 11 p.m., Lifetime): The contestants have to design sportswear.
Rob (7:30 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2): Rob asks Hector to teach him Spanish.
Person of Interest (8 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2): A teenager whose brother was recently murdered is the latest person of interest.
Grey's Anatomy (8 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): The various doctors try to come up with great Valentine's Day treats for their various partners.
The Office (8 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5): Pam returns from maternity leave.
The Finder (8 p.m., Fox/Ch. 13): A dead rapper's songs are illegally leaked.
The Secret Circle (8 p.m., CW/Ch. 30): There's a girls-only, anti-Valentine's Day slumber party.
Up All Night (8:30 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5): Chris and Reagan realize their relationship lacks drama.
The Mentalist (9 p.m., CBS/Ch. 2): Jane tries to prove that a woman on trial for murder didn't do it.
Private Practice (9 p.m., ABC/Ch. 4): Sam's estranged sister is in jail, and she's nearly catatonic.
The Firm (9 p.m., NBC/Ch. 5): Tammy is determined to decipher a cryptic clue.
Archer (11 p.m., FX): Archer's surprise birthday present leads to bigger surprises.
