The Big C Scores Surprisingly Big Ratings

Showtime's new cancer comedy The Big C might not have been a winner in the supporting characters department (I'm talking to you, Oliver Platt and homeless brother who eats garbage) but it scored a ratings coup last night, earning over 1.5 million viewers total. Said the premium cable network in a press release earlier today: "The Big C delivered Showtime's largest audience in 8 years for an original series debut (Previously: Odyssey 5 on 6/21/02 with 1.155MM)." Congrats, Laura Linney: You beat Odyssey 5, whatever that was! [EW]