• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, August 12, 2011

The second episode of this season's "Jersey Shore" experienced a significant viewership drop as total viewers fell 16% and the rating dropped 13% in the key 12-to-34 demo.

Total viewers Thursday for the MTV hit fell from a record 8.8 million to 7.4 million, while the rating in the demo went from an 8.2 to a 7.1. The numbers are still strong, but the percentage drops may be higher than expected, since the show continues to grab attention.

MTV said the 7.4 million viewers was higher than any other program Thursday, and the show occupies all of the top 15 non-sports slots among cable broadcasts in the 12-to-34 segment this year.

The show is set in Italy this season, its fourth. MTV has branded its Thursday-night appearance as "Jerzday."

The ratings for the episodes are no longer reflective of total reach, since many younger viewers watch the episodes online.