ABC orders full seasons of 'The Goldbergs' and 'Trophy Wife'

9:53 AM PDT, November 2, 2013

ABC has picked up freshman comedies "The Goldbergs" and "Trophy Wife" for full seasons, and ordered four additional episodes of Rebel Wilson-led laffer "Super Fun Night." But "Back in the Game" looks like it's exiting the field.

The September opener of "The Goldbergs," the 1980s-set pseudo-biographical comedy from Adam F. Goldberg, drew a 3.2 in the advertiser-cherished demo and was ABC's best comedy launch in more than a year. And it's held steady since, averaging a solid 7.5 million total viewers and a 2.7 rating in the advertiser-cherished 18-49 demo when Live+7 DVR viewing is factored -- a component the networks are increasingly touting.

"Trophy Wife," which critics seem to be behind, has had a softer run, averaging 5.7 million total viewers and a 1.9 rating in the demo when DVR data is factored. It's the lowest-rated of ABC's four new comedies.

Both Tuesday comedies are part of the network's attempt to build a new night of comedy to lead into their Wednesday lineup bolstered by vet "Modern Family."

The additional episode order of Wednesday newbie "Super Fun Night" may be surprising considering the critics mostly panned the comedy, which is executive produced by Conan O'Brien. It has struggled to hold on to its lead-in from "Modern Family." The comedy is averaging 7.4 million total viewers and a 2.8 in the demo when DVR viewing is included.

A Wednesday comedy with less to laugh about is the James Caan-starring "Back in the Game." The show, from brothers Mark and Robb Cullen, was ABC's lowest comedy launch since 2009. Though the network picked up two extra scripts last month, that's since been nixed as evident by a tweet from Robb Cullen.

"So ABC has decided NOT 2 move forward w @BackInTheGameTV 2 all of you fangles and friends, I can't begin to 2 thank u for all of ur support."

The comedy won't be pulled from the schedule, airing out its initial run instead.

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