ABC has ordered the back-nine episodes for freshman comedy, “Cristela,” bringing it up to a full season order, a network representative told TheWrap.
Fridays are still a difficult programming night, despite the success of ABC’s “Shark Tank” and NBC’s “Grimm.” While “Last Man Standing” has stuck it out, the night has claimed comedies “Malibu Country” and “The Neighbors.”
The ratings for “Cristela” have been lukewarm. The series is currently averaging a 1.1 in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 5.46 million viewers.
ABC’s decision to order the show’s back-nine episodes, though, arrives after “Cristela” saw an 11 percent increase over the previous week’s episode, as well as increased its half-hour year-over-year numbers in the ad demo.
The Friday comedy, which stars comedienne Cristela Alonzo, follows the young Mexican-American woman as she works to become an attorney while juggling her responsibilities to her traditional family.
“Cristela” also stars Maria Canals-Barrera, Carlos Ponce, Terri Hoyos, Gabriel Iglesias, Sam McMurray, Justine Lupe, and Andrew Leeds.
So far this fall, ABC has already canceled comedies “Selfie” and “Manhattan Love Story.” It has also given freshman drama “Forever” a full season order.