NBC’s Community returned from its too-long hiatus to 4.9 million total viewers and a demo rating of 2.2, delivering increases of 36 and 47 percent over the comedy’s most recent outing (on Dec. 8 ) and a 14-month, non-sports time slot demo high for NBC.

What’s more, NBC points out that Community — with Bang Bang Theory benched by NCAA hoops — was No. 1 among Adults 18-34 and Men 18-34 during its half hour, besting even a little show called American Idol. Cool, cool, cool…

Year-over-year, Community was up 29 percent in the demo, while versus its season-to-date average it delivered a 38 percent gain.

That teed up 30 Rock, now in the 8:30 slot, for week-to-week gains of 18 and 43 percent, hitting 4.1 million viewers and a 2.0 rating.

In other good news for NBC, Awake in its third week saw a 17 percent bump in audience (to 5.1 mil) while matching last Thursday’s 1.6 demo rating (which marks a 33 percent improvement over the Peacock’s previous Thursdays-at-10 performances via Prime Suspect and The Firm).

Thursday’s other headline goes to the premiere of Ashley Judd’s Missing, which drew 10.6 million total viewers — aka ABC’s most-watched drama of the night, and the network’s biggest audience in the 8 pm spot in 14 months — while netting a 2.0 rating with the 18-49 crowd. For comparison’s sake, ABC’s other drama premieres this season netted out as follows:

* Once Upon a Time: 12.8 million viewers, 3.9 rating

* Pan Am: 10.8 mil, 3.1

* Revenge: 10 mil, 3.3

* Charlie’s Angels: 8.7 mil, 2.1

* GCB: 7.6 mil, 2.2

* The River: 7.5 mil, 2.4

Elsewhere on Thursday:

* American Idol, with 15.5 million total viewers and a 4.5 rating, was down 10 and 8 percent week-to-week. Fox’s repeat of the Touch pilot placed second in the 9 o’clock hour with 8.7 million viewers.

* The Vampire Diaries (2.6 mil/1.2) dipped 8 percent, while Secret Circle (1.6 mil/0.7) was down 12 percent in the demo.

* Grey’s Anatomy (9.7 mil/3.0) gained a few eyeballs but lost a tenth in the demo; Private Practice (7 mil/2.2) enjoyed gains of 11 and 5 percent with The Mentalist MIA.

* Of NBC’s other comedies, The Office (4.9 mil/2.3) dropped 12 percent in the demo, Up All Night (3.63 mil/1.7) was flat.