Ratings Chart Attack!

Anthony Edwards’ special appearance on “ER” lifted the show, in its 15th season, to its best performance in more than a year on Thursday.

“ER” took in a 3.7 rating/10 share in the 18- to 49-year-old demographic, according to preliminary Nielsen Media Research data.

The appearance of the late Dr. Greene via flashback lifted the show 17% week-to-week.

A majority of the NBC comedies, save for “My Name Is Earl” (2.8/8), bottomed out with their lowest ratings of the season. “Kath & Kim” (2.1/5), “The Office” (4.0/9) and “30 Rock” (3.6/8) declined 13%, 7% and 8%, respectively, week-to-week.

NBC took third place for Thursday night with a 3.3/8.

CBS placed first for the night with a 4.1/10 average and 14.5 million. “CSI” (5.1/12, 18.9 million) and “Eleventh Hour” (3.1/8, 11.7 million) were flat from last week, while “Survivor” (4.1/11, 13 million) gained slightly, up 8%.

ABC followed in second with a 3.9/10, virtually unchanged from last week with “Ugly Betty” (2.8/7), “Grey’s Anatomy” (5.9/14) and “Life on Mars” (2.9/8) on par with last Thursday.

Fox took fourth with a 2.2/6 with “Kitchen Nightmares” (2.1/6, 2.3/5), followed by The CW with a 1.6/4. “Smallville” declined 11% from last week’s yearly high, while “Supernatural” (1.6/4) gained 14%.