Matthew Perry's 'Go On' draws big post-Olympics audience

UPDATED: Matthew Perry’s return to NBC was seen by a large post-Olympics audience Wednesday night.

A preview of the actor’s new therapy sitcom Go On was viewed by 16.1 million viewers and delivered a 5.6 rating in the adults 18-49 demographic. Go On was down at about 46 percent from the last half hour of its Olympics lead-in, but that’s to be expected. The comedy held about 84 percent of its rating from its first half to its second, which is good considering it aired at 11:06 p.m. and had a ginormous lead-in.

The important point for NBC with these post-Games sitcom previews (Animal Practice will air after the Closing Ceremony) is to drive viewers to sample new fall shows. There is no way Perry’s show would have approached such heights in a regular September premiere, so even with a drop-off from the Games, last night’s preview ratings is all gravy for Perry and NBC.

The bigger question is: Did viewers like the show enough to return to Go On next month?