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For ABC's 'Middle,'
the real test comes

After seeing ratings rise, it must now face 'Idol'

By Louisa Ada Seltzer
Jan 13, 2010

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Last week ABC's "The Middle" posted a series-high 2.6 adults 18-49 rating in its 8:30 p.m. timeslot, seemingly validating ABC's decision to give the program a full-season order despite middling ratings to start.

But after weeks of improving viewership, "Middle" could take a hit tonight, when it faces its biggest test yet, and the biggest test broadcast has to offer. Tonight "Middle" airs opposite night two of the season premiere of "American Idol," which has a tendency to knock ABC shows flat.

The network has aired a long list of programs opposite "Idol," and only a few, including "Lost" and "Dancing with the Stars," have maintained any ratings momentum. "Idol" attracts a huge female audience, and many of ABC's shows skew young and female, meaning that the two networks are often fighting for the same audience.

But it won't just be "Middle," about a Midwest working mom and her family, that is put to the test tonight. ABC has its strongest Wednesday lineup in several years, including 9 p.m.'s "Modern Family" and 9:30 p.m.'s "Cougar Town," all of which hit at least two-month highs last week with Fox in reruns.

If those shows can maintain most of their audience opposite "Idol," that will be a huge reassurance for ABC, which has struggled to build up a new comedy block for years. The network gave all three programs a vote of confidence yesterday, issuing early second-season renewals at its Television Critics Association tour stop.

"Middle" is the lowest rated of the night's three comedies, but it has performed better since the abysmal "Hank" was canceled in November.

Since then ABC has aired mostly repeats in the 8 p.m. hour, all of which gave "Middle" a stronger lead-in than "Hank," which was averaging just a 1.3 rating when it was axed.

A look at this week’s top TV draws
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13
Time	Network	Program	Description
7 a.m.	ABC	“Good Morning America’” (N)	“Project Runway’s” Nina Garcia, Tim Gunn and Michael Kors guest.
8 p.m.	Fox	“American Idol” (R)	More auditions in the second half of the season premiere.
9 p.m.	CBS	“Criminal Minds” (D)	The crew looks for someone who abducts certain types of women.
9 p.m.	NBC	“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)	A rich couple is murdered and their daughter becomes the suspect.
10 p.m.	FX	“Nip/Tuck” (D)	Christian won’t operate on a model who may want to go too far.
10 p.m.	MTV	“The Real World” (R)	Ty begins having stronger feelings for Emily until she drops the “I’m not looking for anything serious” bomb.
10 p.m.	CBS	“CSI: NY” (D)	The CSIs find planted evidence while investigating a stabbing.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 14
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	Fox	“Bones” (D)	The duo heads to New Mexico to examine the death of a UFO believer.
9 p.m.	ABC	“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)	Addison shows up to help Mark with an operation on his daughter.
9 p.m.	CBS	“CSI” (D)	Ray continues to look into the Dr. Jekyll murders.
9 p.m.	NBC	“30 Rock” (C)	Jack leaves a drunk voice message on New Year’s Eve.
10 p.m.	ABC	“Private Practice” (D)	Mark and his daughter head to L.A. in the second half of the crossover.
10 p.m.	Lifetime	“Project Runway” (R)	Season premiere. It’s back to New York for the new round of designers.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 15
Time	Network	Program	Description
8 p.m.	CBS	“Ghost Whisperer” (D)	Melinda tries to save a family by discovering a secret.
8 p.m.	NBC	“Law & Order” (D)	Revelations of a talk show host’s scandals follow the killing of a journalist.
8 p.m.	Disney Channel	“The Wizards of Waverly Place” (C)	Alex puts a spell on her new English boyfriend.
9 p.m.	Fox	“Dollhouse” (D)	Echo and the crew go to Arizona to take down Rossum Corp.
10 p.m.	CBS	“Numb3rs” (D)	A shipment of weapons goes missing.
10 p.m.	NBC	“The Jay Leno Show” (T)	Actress Julianne Moore guests.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
Time	Network	Program	Description
4:30 p.m.	FOX	“NFL Football” (S)	The NFC’s No. 1 seed, New Orleans, opens up its playoff run.
8 p.m.	CBS	“NFL Football” (S)	Now the AFC’s top team, Indianapolis, takes the field.
8:30 p.m.	Fox	“Cops” (R)	Cops in Oklahoma take in two guys for drug possession.
9 p.m.	Syfy	“House of Bones” (M)	Syfy movie about TV investigators who visit a haunted house in New Orleans.
10 p.m.	BBC America	“The Graham Norton Show” (T)	Actor Michael Sheen from “New Moon” guests.
11:30 p.m.	NBC	“Saturday Night Live” (C)	Sigourney Weaver is the host and the Ting Tings perform.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 17
Time	Network	Program	Description
1 p.m.	Fox	“NFL Football” (S)	Brett Favre and the Vikings face off against Dallas.
4:30 p.m.	CBS	“NFL Football” (S)	The trendy AFC pick, San Diego, opens up the playoffs.
6 p.m.	E!	“Live from the Red Carpet: 2010 Golden Globe Awards” (A)	Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic interview the stars as they arrive at the ceremony.
8 p.m.	Fox	“Human Target” (D)	Series premiere. An agent saves clients by integrating himself into their lives.
8 p.m.	NBC	“Golden Globe Awards” (A)	Ricky Gervais hosts the 67th annual event. Which star will drink the most?
9 p.m.	Fox	“24” (D)	Season premiere. This season’s in New York, with a Middle East leader visiting the U.S. on a peacekeeping mission.
A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.