CBS was not yet willing to order a full season’s worth of “Accidentally on Purpose,” but it did offer an indication that it sees promise in the freshman comedy.
The network handed down an order for an additional five episodes Wednesday, recognizing the show’s improving ability to retain its “How I Met Your Mother” lead-in. The most recent airing, which did 8.5 million viewers and a 3.2 in the adults 18-49 demo, held 94% and 91% of the fifth-year comedy’s audience in viewers and young adults, respectively.
More importantly, it posted the solid numbers on a night in which 9PM comedy powerhouses “Two and a Half Men” and “The Big Bang Theory” suffered declines.
Nonetheless, as the ratings are far from spectacular for a series in CBS’ prized comedy block, a full season order did not yet appear warranted.
CBS still has the often-forgotten, but solid-performing “Rules of Engagement” on its roster; the show would presumably fill in for “Accidentally” if the final four episodes of the freshman are not ordered this season.
