It’s all over but the shouting, the hugging, and the “cooking.” Fans don’t have watch the ninth season of The Middle TV show, wondering whether it is cancelled or renewed for season 10. In early August, star Patricia Heaton announced season nine would be the comedy’s final installment. The good news is, a few days later, the creators confirmed this was their choice and that the Alphabet Network was giving them an entire season to craft a satisfying Middle TV series finale. So, why track the ratings? Well, we’re geeks like that, but also, it gives us a good benchmark by which to assess the success of other ABC TV shows, so stay tuned.
Set in Orson, Indiana, The Middle stars Heaton, Mike Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher, and Atticus Shaffer. The ABC sitcom centers on the Heck family. Frankie (Heaton) and Mike (Flynn) are middle-aged, middle-class parents. They live in the middle of the country with their three children, easy going Axl (McDermott), a recent college graduate; enthusiastic Sue (Sher), a college junior; and bright, quirky Brick (Shaffer), who is now a high school sophomore.
The ninth and final season of The Middle kicks off as Axl returns home from his post-grad trip to Europe. His even more laid-back attitude drives Mike crazy. Axl has also gotten serious enough with Sue’s roommate, Lexie (Daniela Bobadilla), that it’s time for Mike and Frankie to meet her wealthy family. Speaking of Sue, she is still pining for Sean Donahue (Beau Wirick), who thanks to their penchant for crossing wires, has no idea she returns his feelings. Meanwhile, in an attempt to boost his popularity, Brick decides to dump Cindy (Casey Burke), which goes about as well as any Heck should expect.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly in the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — typically around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
5/23 update: You can see the rest of the latest night’s ratings.
Note: If you’re not seeing the updated charts, please try reloading the page. You can also see them here.
Last year comparison: The eighth season of The Middle averaged a 1.48 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 6.041 million total viewers (live + same day ratings).
Note: These are the Live + Same Day Ratings which include “live” viewing plus delayed DVR viewing, up until 3am local time that same night. Ratings marked with an “*” are the fast affiliate ratings and will be updated with the Live+SD numbers when they are made available. Typically, networks get paid for C+3 ratings which includes DVR viewing within three days of the original airing when commercials are watched. Those numbers are rarely released to the press.
What do you think? Do you still like The Middle TV series on ABC? Is it ending at the right time, or should it have been renewed for a 10th season?
Renew!
Please renew the Middle it’s Hilarious!!
I would had loved to see season 10. The only show that is realistic to real life situations. Not a made up story. Hate to see it go, my whole family loves this show. There’s going to be so many unanswered questions I’m so bummed right now
I would have liked a 10th season/ so many more storylines to go/ such a great show/ will really miss it.
This season has not been very good…Trying to wrap things up too quickly leaves many unanswered questions and quantum leaps. I do not think the writers can possibly meet the regular viewer’s need for a fulfilling end in 3 additional episodes.
I will miss this show tremendously….. I thought it should continue and have the kids get married….. I think it had at least a few more seasons….. I hope Fox picks it up!
Patricia Heaton is good in any show. Good as Debra and as Frankie.
I am going to miss the show. I hope someday they do a remake of it.
I really enjoy “The Middle”. I can’t help wondering if the younger Hecks: Sue and Axel were continued as young married couples and Brickand his girlfriend
might make a bright new program. If their age generation affects the ratings?
I don’t know of another program that has modeled family problem solving as
while still being funny and entertaining. I really will miss the show.
These actors are always looking for the next best thing and who’s to say there is a next best thing. I’m sad the show is ending. Walking away is a bad idea.
I’m going to miss the show, characters, and actors. We have the DVR set to record new episodes, my teenage daughter makes time to watch it with my wife and myself. So- 19 60 age group in one room, watching the show on a weekly basis. The long-running stories are being tied up in satisfying ways. I think it’s time to wrap things up, and go out on a high note.
The first and only time I’ll ever comment on the Internet. But this ya my favorite show of all time! Have no idea what will make me happy now. I pray another network picks it up. Seinfield was my old favorite.
Considering I’m not a fan of Patricia Heaton, I love & enjoy “The Middle” and am flummoxed why the show is always bypassed come Emmy Awards time. I will truly miss the show when it ends.
I have really enjoyed this show. Having grown up in a typical middle-class home I feel that the writing is well done and more real than a lot of other shows. I think the cast does a great job bringing the words on the written page to life. I will miss the Hecks very much. Is there a chance someone like Netflix could pick it up and continue future episodes. All of the characters have great storylines that could go on for a few more years.
I agree. There’s so much story line left. And they aren’t even going to let Brick graduate?
What a great show, very sad that it is ending Don’t know how they can use ratings when most do not watch at time of showing but record and watch later