Ratings: Idol Steady, Neighbors Dips to Low

ABC is going to be faced with a big question come May [probably a bit sooner] – how valuable is the 8:30 and 9:30 real estate on Wednesday nights, and which comedy show to keep – Neighbors or Suburgatory? They cannot keep both, and both *must* be able to build their own audience, because things will get much tougher next season when (if) they return to another (Wednesday?) night. Ask the fine folks at Happy Endings and Apt 23.

What ABC might consider doing is the next time (if there is one) Neighbors has a new episode, and Middle is in rerun, perhaps ‘flip’ the two for that night, letting Neighbors lead off at 8pm. That way they really control their destiny – they don’t have to rely upon Middle. Then we’ll get a better read on the numbers. The earlier in the evening a show is broadcast, the better the chance of not having to rely on the fate of the shows in front.

Bottom line – How to Live with Parents is coming, as is Family Tools. Live w/Parents I believe can beat the Suburgatory and Neighbors numbers. I think that show will rock – that cast is gold. Family Tools? Perhaps not. ABC also has some pilots in the hopper – three in particular [Pulling, Safe at Home, Divorce:Love Story] that have assembled pretty good teams and might fit well into the ABC Wednesday night flow. ABC is going to need to place at least oneof those pilots in either 8:30 or [both?] 9:30 slot – there’s no other option.

There is one hope here – Friday night? Can Suburgatory and/or Neighbors keep their production costs in line, and move over to Fridays to expand that night? If so, good news for fans. If not, it is going to mighty uncomfortable in May at Up Fronts – someone[s] is not going to be coming back in the fall. That’s really what we’re facing – Neighbors and Suburgatory need to try something soon to break out of the pack on their own.