Grey's Anatomy, on the ABC lineup for the foreseeable future thanks to a rich new deal with star Ellen Pompeo, saw ratings jump 20 percent in its Thursday return from a lengthy absence.

The medical drama climbed to a 2.2 rating among adults 18-49 at 8 o'clock and earned a season high 8.2 million viewers in its first episode back from a two-month hiatus. Fellow Shonda Rhimes-produced dramas Scandal (1.3 adults) and How to Get Away With Murder (1.0 adults) were also improved — by not as significant a margin as the block's elder-statesman.

Even with lifts, Grey's Anatomy didn't climb as high as CBS comedies The Big Bang Theory (2.9 adults) and Young Sheldon (2.4 adults). The steady sitcoms propelled the network's lineup to victories across the board on Thursday night, with Mom (1.6 adults), Life in Pieces (1.2 adults) and SWAT (1.0 adults) rounding out the schedule.

The latest episode of The Four continued to be be a steady performer for Fox. The two-hour block averaged a 1.1 rating among adults 18-49 and 3.5 million viewers, climbing steadily from the top of the night.

Will & Grace bounced back a bit from the previous week's season low. It took a 1.3 rating among adults 18-49, leading an otherwise steady NBC lineup of Superstore (1.0 adults), The Good Place (1.0 adults), Great News (0.7 adults) and Chicago Fire (1.0 adults).

On the CW, Supernatural (0.8 adults) and Arrow (0.5 adults) held steady.