'Sound of Music' Nets Big Ratings After Lady Gaga Flops

What a difference a week makes.

Seven days ago, ABC turned over its Thanksgiving night programming slot to shock artist Lady Gaga, and the singer’s surreal pairing with the family-friendly Muppets flopped as a result.

Last night, a three-hour, live remake of the wholesome classic The Sound of Music scored a huge audience for NBC, bringing it the kind of ratings success it rarely sees on a typical Thursday night.

Fast National returns have The Sound of Music averaging a 4.6 rating among adults 18-49 and 18.47 million viewers. Easily the most-watched program of the night, it tied CBS’ The Big Bang Theory in the demo. The last time NBC fared that well on a Thursday, excluding sports, was during the 2009 series finale of E.R..

Carrie Underwood anchored the production as Maria, taking over the role made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1965 movie musical.