RATINGS RECAP: 5/18/11

ABC
8:00 The Middle
Viewers: 7.7 million, 18-49 demo: 2.4
8:30 The Middle (Repeat)
Viewers: 5.9 million, 18-49 demo: 1.8
9:00 Modern Family
Viewers: 10.3 million, 18-49 demo: 4.1
9:30 Cougar Town
Viewers: 5.2 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0
10:00 Happy Endings
Viewers: 3.7 million, 18-49 demo: 1.5
10:30 Happy Endings
Viewers: 3.1 million, 18-49 demo: 1.3

CBS
8:00 Criminal Minds (Repeat)
Viewers: 6.4 million, 18-49 demo: 1.4
9:00 Criminal Minds
Viewers: 12.8 million, 18-49 demo: 3.3
10:00 Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior
Viewers: 8.5 million, 18-49 demo: 2.0

NBC
8:00 Minute to Win It
Viewers: 3.5 million, 18-49 demo: 1.1
9:00 Minute to Win It (Repeat)
Viewers: 2.9 million, 18-49 demo: 0.9
10:00 Law & Order: SVU
Viewers: 9.0 million, 18-49 demo: 2.9

FOX
8:00 American Idol
Viewers: 23.6 million, 18-49 demo: 7.4

ABC was mostly all new on Wednesday night and had mixed results with its comedies. At 8pm, The Middle was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo for its best demo performance since February 23. It has rebounded nicely since dropping to around 6 million viewers and a 1.8 demo a few weeks ago. After a repeat of The Middle did decently, Modern Family was up a tenth in viewers but down two tenths in the demo. Cougar Town followed and was down eight tenths in viewers and three tenths in the demo, tying a season low in the demo. Back to back Happy Endings followed and were both down. The 10:00 episode was down half a million viewers and two tenths in the demo from its counterpart last week while the 10:30 episode was down four tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo from last week. ABC is desperately trying to make this show a hit and they will give it the post-Modern Family slot next fall. While I don't blame them for trying, I'm not sure this show is ever going to break out. 

CBS started things off with a repeat of Criminal Minds at 8pm. It was followed by the season finale of the show which was down half a million viewers but even in the demo with last week. This show continues to hold its own against stiff competition. But its now cancelled spinoff did not impress as it was down eight tenths in viewers and a tenth in the demo, hitting series lows and earning its cancellation. It will air one final episode next week. 

NBC was MIA as usual from 8-10pm with low rated airings of Minute to Win It. A new episode at 8pm was up four tenths in viewers and two tenths in the demo, but that's not saying much. The season finale of Law & Order: SVU perked things up at 10pm though as the show was up nine tenths in viewers and a strong half demo point for its best performance since January 5. It won the demo as usual but also won the total viewer crown for the hour. FOX aired a two hour edition of American Idol with the Top 3. It was up half a million viewers and three tenths in the demo.