ABC still has Wednesday’s top comedies in Modern Family and Cougar Town, but each show in the Alphabet’s comedy block was down week-to-week, according to early Nielsen estimates. Kelsey Grammer’s Hank dropped 19 percent and Patricia Heaton’s The Middle 22 percent from their premieres; meanwhile, Modern Family slipped 15 percent, and Cougar Town dipped 16 percent. Something the Alphabet should worry about: NBC’s The Jay Leno Show topped Eastwick, which magically lost 20 percent of its audience. CBS won the evening with strong time slot performances by The New Adventures of Old Christine, Gary Unmarried, and the chart-topping Criminal Minds and CSI: NY. Fox’s Glee held steady.
| Time | Show | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 p.m. | Mercy (NBC) The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) Hank (ABC) So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) America’s Next Top Model (The CW) |
7.3 7.3 6.7 6.2 3.3 |
| 8:30 p.m. | Gary Unmarried (CBS) The Middle (ABC) |
7.2 6.8 |
| 9 p.m. | Criminal Minds (CBS) Modern Family (ABC) Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (NBC) Glee (Fox) Melrose Place (The CW) |
13.5 8.5 8.1 7.3 1.1 (repeat) |
| 9:30 p.m. | Cougar Town (ABC) | 7.8 |
| 10 p.m. | CSI: NY (CBS) The Jay Leno Show (NBC) Eastwick (ABC) |
12.0 5.7 5.3 |
Source: Nielsen
Read more:
Modern Family recap: Planes, big-box chains, and family ordeals
Glee recap: Just say no to drugs (and to Ken!)
America’s Next Top Model recap: Just Dance (Don’t Smize)
The New Adventures of Old Christine and The Middle: Two frustrated characters, two strong sitcoms
So You Think You Can Dance recap: Vegas or Bust
Comments (1-15) of 33 Add your comment
Leno actually beat a show? Those involved with Eastwick should feel so embarrassed.
See ya Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie. I mean Roxanne, Joanna, and Kat.
I never thought Eastwick would make it and was never interested in watching it. That being said, I too am surprised Leno won over a show!!
So sad that Eastwick doesn’t seem to be catching on. It’s a cute show. I’m sure it will get cancelled soon.
I hope that Modern Family and Cougartown don’t keep shedding viewers!
That’s too bad, Eastwick’s really got going this week in my opinion.
Maybe people preferred Grammer and Heaton both being on the same show like they were dumped on Fox and speaking of Fox, shame on them for throwing away a good show and replacing it with reality crap.
Well that’s relief for Jay Leno after a downward spiral for some 10 to 12 shows. He can win on Wednesday over ABC’s lower rated new show Eastwick. And I believe that Modern Family will retain its audience–that 15 percent drop is typical with new shows, so it will most likely have a strong season. I blame Kelsey Grammer’s drop on that LOOONG 48 days of waiting for the Sept 30th debut. Maybe the October 7th show left some people disappointed.
Only ratings in teens for the night for Criminal Minds and CSI: NY prove that a good drama WILL attract a large audience. Somewhat surprised that SYTYCD had only a 6.2. Not surprised that Leno got a 5.7 as there is not much of an alternative for those that don’t watch CSI:NY.
SYTYCD will pick up, they are finally in Vegas and in the elimination rounds.
“Eastwick” is the only new show worth watching. ABC will cancel it soon because the network sucks. The three lead females are fantastic and much more watchable than the has-been Jay Leno.
I don’t know if you can blame ABC for cancelling a show with this terrible ratings. It is not on a bad time slot at all and the network promoted it.
SVU is really down this year.
Because SVU was always a time slot hit.
Cougartown is getting better and better. I was surprised how much I enjoyed last night’s episode. I hope this show finally gives Courtney Cox the Emmy-love she was denied with Friends. She is the best thing about the show. I find her performance funny and humble.
Hmmmm, why are people abandoning Modern Family and Cougar Town? They are fantastic.
This is just funny, Leno has become the standard in which a show should be consider a flop.. “if you can’t beat Leno then your show is dead”
My goodness! CBS seems to own Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Wonder if it’s always been this way.
Three shows into “Eastwick” now, and I’m really really enjoying it! I love the 3 female leads, and even the actor who plays Darryl Van Horne is growing on me. Sometimes it reminds me of the movie version, with elements of the movie “Practical Magic” woven in. Please give it a chance & don’t cancel it early, ABC! Leno may have had a random good night or “good guest”, who knows? But I wonder if he’ll stand the test of time – I can’t stand watching him. Give new (scripted) shows a chance to develop!
The 8pm slot looks pretty weak. A decent drama would probably do really well there.
NBC should move Mercy and SVU. With nothing else on SVU does really well. Just a thought.
Leno beat ‘Eastwick’? Damn! I like that show but that is a REALLY bad sign