Soph laffers keep 'Hope' alive

Fox's 'Raising Hope' and ABC's 'Happy Endings' have created unimpressive rankings. 'Happy Endings'ABC's "Happy Being" and Fox's "Raising Hope," two sophomore sitcoms which are well-loved by their particular systems, would seem to be no much better than 50/50 propositions to come back for any third season. Neither has distinguished itself despite the benefits of airing behind the very best-ranked half-hour on each network. "Happy Being" has averaged a 3. same-evening Nielsen rating among grown ups 18-49, but this signifies only a 56% your hands on its "Modern Family" lead-in on Wednesday (5.4). The retention continues to be continuously within the 50%-60% range through the season, which needs to be disappointing to ABC -- even when "Modern Family" may be the type of show that is appointment television for those who watch very little else on broadcast primetime. Like a youthful-singles, large-city comedy, "Happy Being" is not an excellent match the 3 suburban family ABC comedies on Wednesday and also the Alphabet may go through the show's best shot at thriving inside a third season is always to pair it having a more compatible skedmate. When "Happy" finishes its season inside a couple of days, it will likely be changed by another youthful-singles comedy, "Don't Trust the B in Apt. 23." If "Trust" works well in the short term, it might likely return within the fall -- whilst possibly enhancing the probabilities for "Happy," which may possess a more appropriate skedmate. At Fox, "Raising Hope" originals have averaged a couple.4 same-evening rating in grown ups 18-49 this year, retaining normally 65% of their lead-in from rookie success "New Girl" (3.7). "Hope" is lower about 15% from the year-ago average if this adopted the more powerful "Glee," and it has frequently placed 4th in the 9:30 p.m. half-hour. And like "Happy Being," the household comedy "Raising Hope" is one thing of the odd fit behind singles laffer "New Girl." Fox will require some pressure from the show, and obtain a much better indicator of their strength, by moving "Hope" to eight o'clock for five days included in a four-comedy selection while "Glee" rests. It'll lead in to the family-ant "I Personally Don't Like My Teenage Daughter" and may be something of the Tuesday template the internet has in your mind for next fall. Certainly, the systems are entertaining of these shows, because they are a popular of executives and are generally created inhouse. "Hope" originates from Twentieth TV, while "Happy" originates from ABC Galleries along with The new sony. But after two seasons of unexceptional rankings, the nets will need to weigh should they have seen enough to point out there can be an upside to some third season. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com