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Zap2it On the Scene: Winter TV Press Tour
'Modern Family,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'Castle,' get early pickups; so do 3 other shows
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ABC has given the early green light to six shows for the 2011-12 season. Wednesday comedies "The Middle," "Modern Family" and "Cougar Town" will all be back next season, as will three dramas: "Castle," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Private Practice."The network's head of entertainment, Paul Lee, made the announcement Monday (Jan. 10) during ABC's time at the TV critics winter press tour.
"Who would have predicted this time last year that 'The Middle' ... would now kick off what I think is one of the best nights of comedy on television?" Lee says. "That's a core part of our schedule."
"Modern Family" is a top-20 show in viewers so far this season (12.4 million viewers) and is the top-rated comedy on television in the adults 18-49 demographic, where it averages a 4.9 rating. "Cougar Town" is in the top 30 in the 18-49 demo (3.5), while "The Middle" has grown significantly in its second year.
"Grey's Anatomy" is the top scripted show on TV this season in adults 18-49 (5.0) and ranks 16th overall with just under 13 million viewers per week. "Castle" (10.6 million viewers, 2.7 in adults 18-49) and "Private Practice" (9.1 million, 3.5) have also performed solidly.
A couple notable absences from the early-pickup list are "Desperate Housewives," which outdraws "Grey's" in viewers, and the other Wednesday comedy, "Better With You." Lee says ABC has "ambitions to pick it up" for next season but hasn't hammered out the details yet. "Better With You," meanwhile, will have to wait and see like the rest of the network's shows.
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Photo/Video credit: ABC
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Good to see the middle get picked up for another season. it's a relatable comedy that bears similarities to many families out there, mine included
Glad as well for the love for "The Middle". While my family also enjoys Modern Family, The Middle is equally or more funny and less utopian...most of the "problems" that Modern Family's characters face are very upscale challenges. The Middle is for more down-to-earth.
Love The Middle!!!
ABC hoping that Detroit 1-8-7 won't be back for Season 2. This crime drama didn't phase me at all.
Again, this is a great example that ABC has a winning line up as struggling nbc and fox keep adding on more reality shows, sad.
Surprised Desperate Housewives isn't in the early pickups.
It is ABC's top non-reality show.
I would think it would have end-of-series buzz if the end was drawing near. I can't imagine it would end without a dramatic "final season" send-off.
YAY for The Middle - every week it has something that has happened to ME as a mom or my daughter as a MOM. LOVE that show.
I would like to see Detroit 1-8-7 get picked up. I've only been able to watch it a couple of times as it's up against The Good Wife, so I've watched it the last couple of weeks and it's a good show. But I don't think it WILL get picked up.
Glad to see The Middle and Modern Family picked up for next season! It's nice to see ABC making good choices with their shows lately.
good 2 see castle in the list.........this is the best show ever on tv...its better than films even in this category
Castle is good for so many more seasons!
Its writing,cast,the kind of "Reality to Filmy touch"is amazing.Character played by molly quinn is so like my daughter and many girls I know.Her character is a good model of how TV show should potray image of american girls rather than gossip girls kind of stuff