'The Middle' Gets High Praise for ABC

[Brian Damage]

8 p.m.

In an hour with no juggernaut, Fox’s "So You Think You Can Dance" could sneak off with a victory. At the very least it will win in adults 18-34, and in the process could cut further into the audience for CW’s America’s Next Top Model," which remains potent despite some recent declines.

The more interesting battle will be waged in the comedy arena, where ABC and CBS will cut into each other’s potential audiences with a pair of family sitcoms. Neither of the incumbent Eye laffers is especially strong, though, giving the Alphabet newcomers a chance.

ABC’s "Hank," starring Kelsey Grammer, will get initial tune-in but doesn’t offer anything new and figures to rate roughly on par with "Old Christine" on CBS.

Patricia Heaton starrer "The Middle," on the other hand, is a surprisingly creative and funny take on family life and should be able to top the Eye’s "Gary Unmarried" in the 8:30 slot. Reminiscent of "Malcolm in the Middle," it could become the rare single-camera comedy to attract a sizable, fairly broad audience.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1