The Middle TV show on ABC ending with season nine. Pictured (l-r): Eileen Heisler, Deann Heline, Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher, Atticus Shaffer. (ABC / Image Group LA.)

As reported last week, The Middle TV show will end with the upcoming ninth season. During the ABC sitcom’s panel at the TCA summer press tour, creators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline assured reporters that the creative team made the decision to end with the ninth season, and that they had told the network they would like a season to craft their farewell to the Heck family.

A family sitcom, The Middle stars Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher, and Atticus Shaffer. The ABC comedy centers on the Hecks, a middle-class family, living in Orson, Indiana.  

Deadline reports:

“The decision for us to end the show was a very personal decision,” Hiesler said. “When we spoke to [ABC president] Channing Dungey last season we were talking about having this season [be the last]. It meant a lot to us to know we had a season to say goodbye.”

If the opinions of middle America are now at a political forefront, then perhaps this was a time when the show might have been even more embraced, but Heline said the existing worldwide reception for the show had been gratifying either way. “What we find is that The Middle is now playing everywhere around the world,” she said, “and what’s amazing is that whether you’re someone who’s in an urban city or in another country, everyone can identify with it.”

“People in the middle of the country have been touched by the honoring of their everyday life, that’s what we’ve noticed,” Heisler added.

As for why they should give up The Middle when a show like Roseanne is coming back – a show that was essentially a forerunner of The Middle. “It’s great that Roseanne is coming back because it means in another eight years we can all come back!” she joked.

Joking aside, it’s clear the departure is bittersweet for Heline. “The truth is, we could write this family for ten more years, but we felt we had to either end it now or go for ten more years.” As for potential spin-offs Heline joked, “We’re just trying to get through this season right now and then we’ll figure out everyone’s spin-offs after that.”

According to the report, Heline also said The Middle TV series finale will be an hour-long episode. The co-creator added, “It’ll be a special episode for sure. We know what the last episode is and I think it’ll be something fans of the show will love.”

What do you think? Do you still like The Middle? Is it ending at the right time, or do you wish this ABC comedy series would continue for a tenth season? Let us know, below.