'Shark Tank' gets more episodes

The rich are getting richer: ABC has ordered a couple more episodes of Friday night reality success story Shark Tank.

In case you missed it, Shark Tank rose to series-high viewership and demo rating this weekend. ABC made the decision to order two more episodes before those numbers came in since the show was already doing really well, but the news is set to be announced later this morning. The move extends this season’s run from 22 hours (already the most episodes the series has ever produced in one season) to 24.

The order comes as Shark Tank, produced by Sony Pictures Television, is getting ready to move to a slightly better, yet tougher, time period. Starting Nov. 2, ABC’s returning comedy Last Man Standing and new show Malibu Country are going into the 8 p.m. hour on Friday nights, and Shark Tank will shift to 9 p.m.

This is better for Shark Tank because the slot has higher viewing levels and the reality series will have a lead-in. It’s tougher because there’s more competition in that time period, like NBC’s Grimm and CBS’ CSI: NY.

Shark Tank will mark the occasion by airing an episode with Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane pitching a business to the Sharks (he’s also, of course, ABC’s Oscar host next year). MacFarlane is supporting his friend and horseback riding teacher from Sylmar, CA, who claims he has built a “better fly trap.” In the same episode, one of the Sharks makes an unprecedented $1 million offer to an entrepreneur.