“Super Fun Night,” “Back in the Game” Ratings Fall Again

Update: While the overnights reflected a decline in household audience, “Back in the Game” ended up parlaying strong lead-in support from “Toy Story of Terror” (3.0 A18-49 rating, 10.3 million viewers) into an slightly-improved adults 18-49 rating.

Up a tenth from last week’s rating, this week’s “Game” posted a 1.8 adults 18-49 rating. The show’s audience, however, fell slightly to a 6.2 million average.

The overnights were correct in forecasting the “Super Fun Night” drop. Despite receiving improved lead-in support from “Modern Family” (4.0 rating, 10.9 million), the Rebel Wilson-starrer sank to a 2.1 adults 18-49 rating with 6.7 million viewers. The shows are simply not compatible.

“Nashville” closed the night with a 1.7 and 5.9 million viewers.
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One received decent reviews but virtually no buzz. The other, due to its star, received ample buzz but abysmal reviews.

Both are struggling to deliver in ABC’s Wednesday night comedy block.

“Back in the Game,” the former, continued its ratings slide with just a 3.8 overnight metered market rating this week, according to TV Media Insights. That represents the show’s third consecutive drop in as many post-premiere episodes.

And though the “Toy Story of Terror” special filled in for usual counterpart “The Middle” this week, its rating–a 5.6–was comparable enough to what the Patricia Heaton-led comedy usually scores.

“Super Fun Night,” which stars Rebel Wilson on the heels of her breakthrough roles in “Bridesmaids” and “Pitch Perfect,” is also showing early weakness in its post-“Modern Family” slot.

Wednesday’s episode slipped to a 4.3 overnight number, which was down from the prior week’s 4.7. Lead-in “Modern Family,” though not on par with its peak levels, provided ample support with its 7.4 rating at 9PM.

ABC’s well-liked, but poorly-rated “Nashville” followed with a 3.9 at 10PM.

Brian Cantor

Brian Cantor is the editor-in-chief for Headline Planet. He has been a leading reporter in the music, movie, television and sporting spaces since 2002. Brian's reporting has been cited by major websites like BuzzFeed, Billboard, the New Yorker and The Fader -- and shared by celebrities like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj. Contact Brian at brian.cantor[at]headlineplanet.com.