Finale Ratings: The Middle Holds Steady, Modern Family, SVU And Criminal Minds Down Vs. 2012

By Matt Webb Mitovich
Ratings The Middle Modern Family Nashville THE MIDDLE - "The Graduation" - As graduation day approaches, tension begins to build between Frankie and Axl when he ignores her requests for answers about the graduation party she's planning for his special day. Meanwhile, Sue hopes that the sixth time's the charm as she once again attempts to pass her driver's test; and during his final days of elementary school, a forgetful Brick is reminded by Vice Principal Dunlap (Marion Ross) that he's the class historian and is responsible for putting together a slideshow highlighting the last four years of school for the school assembly, on the Season Finale of "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (ABC/Michael Ansell) FRENCH STEWART, CHARLIE MCDERMOTT

Ratings The Middle Modern Family NashvilleSeason 4 of ABC's Critics Choice Award-nominated The Middle graduated with honors on Wednesday, drawing 7.5 million total viewers — the sitcom's most watched finale in three years — while matching last year's demo rating of 2.0. Week-to-week, The Middle inched up a tenth.

Elsewhere on ABC, Modern Family's season ender did 9.9 mil and a 3.6, up a tenth from last week but down 12 percent from its previous finale. How to Live With Your Parents followed with 6.32 mil/2.2, up a few eyeballs and two tenths. Nashville's everything-but-the-kitchen-sink freshman finale (6.1 mil/1.9) was up 9 percent and two tenths.

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Over on CBS, Criminal Minds' double-episode finale night averaged 10.8 mil and a 2.7, up a tick week-to-week but down more than 20 percent from last year's capper.

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NBC's SVU finale drew 6.7 mil/1.6, up a tenth but dropping 20 percent in the demo from its previous finale. Chicago Fire (6.2 mil/1.7) was down 11 and 15 percent with its finale. Next stop: Tuesday nights!

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Modern Family, Criminal Minds and SVU all hit all-time finale lows in the demo.

The season premiere of Fox's MasterChef delivered 5.24 mil and a 2.1, up in viewers from its June 2012 opener while down just two tenths in the demo.

Want scoop on any of the above shows? Email insideline@tvline.com and your question may be answered via Matt's Inside Line.

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