Although game one of the 2010 MLB World Series Championship scored a significantly larger audience than usual for FOX Wednesday, it evidently did not provide amplified competition for ABC’s comedy lineup. Led by a series high performance for “Modern Family,” all four comedies were up in the ratings Wednesday night.
“Family” rocketed past the 5.0 threshold Wednesday, scoring a 5.1 adults 18-49 rating with 13.07 million viewers. It is almost a certainty that that nothing scripted will top “Modern Family”‘s performance in the demo this week.
But the gains were universal–8PM opener “The Middle” rose to a 2.8 with 9.43 million viewers, while new series “Better with You” was good for a 2.5 and 7.76 million viewers. “Cougar Town” led out of “Family” with a 3.3 and 8.26 million.
It should be noted that both “Modern Family” and “Cougar Town” went against a re-run of “Law & Order: SVU,” which certainly did not hinder their upticks this week.
While the comedies were up over last week, lame duck series “The Whole Truth” managed nothing notable. The show, which will not be picked up beyond its thirteen episode initial order, only garnered a 1.2 with 4.57 million viewers. The fact that it posted such a low number against a re-run of “Law & Order: Los Angeles” is inexcusable.