NBC’s “Today” show maintained its lead after day two of Katie Couric‘s return to morning TV.

With Sarah Palin as a special co-host “Today” drew 5.497 million total viewers according to Nielsen Fast National data, that’s +356,000 more than #2 “Good Morning America” which drew 5.141 million. Half way through the 2011-12 season, the gap between the two shows is +528,000, so “GMA” continues to chip away at “Today’s lead.

In A25-54 viewers, “Today lead by +249,000 viewers (2.209 vs. 1.917). The season-to-date gap in that demo is +449,000.

The “Today”show also won Monday’s face-off with a +333,000 Total Viewer lead on “GMA.”

This morning, “Today” show anchors reflected on Palin’s drop-by and shared Twitter reaction from viewers: