A special The Middle at 8pm scored just a 2.2 adults 18-49 rating, but in its regular 8:30 timeslot the show earned a 2.7 rating, up 13% from its last original regular timeslot episode and a new season high if it holds up in the finals. Either way, a good omen for renewal. Modern Family was up 5% from its last original episode to a 4.1 rating. Cougar Town was way up (18%) from its last original telecast to a 3.3 rating.

Viewer Numbers

The Middle 8:00 - 7.549 Million

The Middle 8:30 - 8.168 Million

Modern Faimly 10.224 Million!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cougar Town - 7.920 Million

Middle's numbers shock me! The show does better than NBC comedies.

I def. see The Middle and Modern sharing the 8pm hour once American Idol kills this momentum for Modern next week. Whether Modern or Middle take
8pm is anyone's guess. I'd bump Cougar to 9, and give Scrubs/Ted the 9:30pm slot next year. I think they'd do fantastic and would work well with the rest of the ABC comedies if they gave each show half a season. If neither show gained viewership, then I'd understand their cancellations, but I think this year, ABC would be giving up too quick.

I'm really glad to see "The Middle" gaining some steam, it's a really good show that's been in "Modern Family"'s shadow (although I love MF as well).

I think they should keep MF/CT against "Idol" for awhile because it might do well as counter-programming

and I would imagine "The Middle" could hold up well anchoring the night in Fall 2010 which would be good news for ABC

I rely do hope they keep this block and do something like ted/scrubs at 9:30 or something like that.

I liked the Wednesday shows and I can't believe how heavy Ed O'Neil has gotten.:eek: I enjoyed watching Ugly Betty too.