Network: ABC
Episodes: 215 (half-hour)
Seasons: Nine
TV show dates: September 30, 2009 — May 22, 2018
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher, Atticus Shaffer, Chris Kattan, Peter Breitmayer, and Brian Doyle-Murray.
TV show description:
Living in the small town of Orson, Indiana (the “middle” of the country), Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) is a supermom. She’s kept busy wrangling three quirky kids, trying to keep her husband on track and working to sell cars for a local dealership. Unfortunately, she doesn’t do any of the jobs in a way that makes her very proud.
At work, she’s the third best salesperson but there’s only three salespeople and she consistently fails to make a sale. Her grumpy boss, Mr. Ehlert (Brian Doyle-Murray), is constantly threatening to fire her. Her friend and number two salesman, Bob (Chris Kattan), isn’t much better off and helps Frankie out where he can.
Mike Heck (Neil Flynn) is Frankie’s husband and works as a quarry manager. He doesn’t have a very orthodox parenting style, isn’t a very sensitive husband, and is known for being brutally honest. He loves Frankie though and together, they do their best to get through life.
Axl Heck (Charlie McDermott) is the oldest of the two Heck boys and was conceived during his parents’ Guns ‘n Roses period. He’s a typical teenage boy who’s sullen, eats the family out of house and home, and also has a penchant for walking around in his underwear. When his parents want to punish Axl, they wish that he had something cool like a car, TV, or cell phone that they could take away from him.
Sue Heck (Eden Sher) is the Hecks’ teenage daughter. As the middle child, she seems to be suffering from Jan Brady syndrome and doesn’t seem to be able to find her niche. Sue fails at everything she tries with great gusto. She never gives up but her parents kind of wish she would.
Brick Heck (Atticus Shaffer) is the youngest son and is known for his odd behavior. His best friend is his backpack and he whispers to himself for comfort. He loves to read and is likely the most intelligent Heck in the family.
Episode #215 – A Heck of a Ride, Part 2
After nine hilarious and heartfelt seasons, a Heck leaves the nest as the family takes a road trip to Denver, where Axl will start his new job – and new life away from home.
First aired: May 22, 2018.
What do you think? Do you like The Middle TV show? Do you think it should have been renewed for a 10th season?
Why do you supposedly “ass-py” people always have to diagnose other members of your cult? Why can’t funny just be funny? Never have I ever seen a so called “aspy” kid who even fit in, much less seemed funny. I wish you people would just go away. And take your labels with you. Asperger Syndrome (excusing those for whom the term really applies) is just another label for misfit. I just don’t understand why geek needs a specific name… I know this attitude will be unpopular, but face it–this is the truth!!!!
You’re pretty much the one who’s being a social misfit. We “ass-py” people suffer from certain problems. Do yourself a favor and visit real “Ass-py” people to see how much they really suffered. Maybe you’ll set your mind right.
I happen to have Asperger Syndrome and you’re being an “ass-wipy.”
I, and my family, LOVE The Middle. My extended family all love it, too, so we hope it stays on tv a long time.
@Tammy: YES! lol… I recognized that Brick was an Aspie (someone with the Autism Spectrum Disorder called Asperger’s Syndrome) too because I’M one! His echolalia though is different, because usually people with that condition repeat what they hear OTHERS say to them immediately, instead of repeating their own words. He’s the 1st “Tv-Aspie” I’ve seen that’s “beleiveable” & likeable! (Let me know if you know of any others!) I like this show also because its good for the whole family to watch & it’s funny… make that FUNNY… love it. 🙂
@ Tammy & Sybil. I am in agreement with both you. Brick is most definitely an Aspie. I have Aspberger’s and recognized much of his “odd” behavior as Asberger-like. Sybil, if you’re interested check out Community about a quirky Jr. College spanish study group full of lovable and not-so-lovable characters (Chevy Chase plays “Pierce” !). The character Abed is rumored to be an Aspie. Check it out for yourself and see what you think! 🙂 http://www.hulu.com/community
I left the TV on ABC after the news, and I discovered “Middle.” I thought I was seeing things because there was a little kid, almost the spitting image of Dewey of “Malcolm in the Middle,” and the mother, who could pass for Lois of that same program. I certainly agree with Lcoast’s comments (“take malcolm in the middle, make it less clever and more mundane, add a dash of cliched jokes…”). I find it difficult to understand how anyone could praise a program that verges on video plagiarism.
I think it’s awesome because even at the age of 20 i can identify with Sue and i completely understand about the two working parents, and as mentioned above, kids will never show their parents any respect regardless of how many TV shows are cancelled, kids will be kids and find another way of making/ getting into trouble (it’s called pushing the boundaries as kids grow up), so yeah, i hope THe Middle doesn’t get cancelled, because of it’s humour i get to relax after a tough day at uni instead of just more drama (i.e. Grey’s Anatomy, great show… Read more »
what an awful use of 30 minutes. possibly one of the only things i won’t watch when they fire up tv shows on the plane.
take malcolm in the middle, make it less clever and more mundane, add a dash of cliched jokes, and – Viola! – you have another “comedy” being spoon fed to the masses with giant, uninspired ladles.
I have a hard time laughing out loud at any comedy show, but THE MIDDLE makes me laugh out loud and I thoroughly enjoy the show. I think the kids are the funniest and I hope it does not get canceled.
Wednesdays are the highlight of my week! Modern Family is so hilarious! I especially love Cameron and Mitchell (with cute little Lily!) The Middle is also a great Tv show, perfect when you are feeling in the dumps, or you’re just having a bad day. Keep the shows going ABC!!!!
This is one boring stupid show with all Patricia Heaton talking in the background. It’s just a bad show.
So first of all, the Middle is why I look forward to Wednesdays! Maybe it takes a certain lifestyle or family to appreciate the humor and I’m one of them! Anyone who doesn’t like it must not be able to relate. The day that the episode about trash day was on, was the same day that nearly the exact situation happened at our house! We were in bed and heard the garbage truck and tried to catch it on it’s way back down our dead end street! That’s why I love this show because it shows the humor in things… Read more »
The Middle is wonderful because it reflects what a lot of families are actually going through. In case it hasn’t been detected, yet, Brick suffers from Asperger’s Syndrome! Hence the “odd” behavior, whispering to himself, and other quirky self comforting rituals. MANY, MANY teenagers would be able to identify with Sue. No matter how hard they try, they keep falling flat on their faces. And Axl is pretty much like a lot of teenage boys – trying to act “bad” on the exterior and crying out for attention. I love this show. Please keep it going! It’s the highlight of… Read more »
What a load of crap! The Middle is a tv show people. Every tv show out there doesn’t need to reflect what real life kids are about! So what the kids don’t respect their parents! Kids have been like this for years, and no amount of cancelling tv shows, is going to change that. You can see that the parents and the kids have a good relationship overall, just the usualy problems that arise with kids of these ages. Can’t anyone just watch tv for entertainment anymore? Do we really have to sensor everything these days?!
WOW! I have never read more crap in my life than the postings by “Mathew” and “Skysoldier73” …
The Middle is the funniest TV show … along with Modern Family … ABC has struck gold with these two sitcoms.
Any family with two working parents and teenagers will see familiar situations in this TV show … and that is somewhat comforting …
Sue and Brick Heck are the funniest characters in the show. Watch it and you will not be disappointed .
I totally agree! In fact, Modern Family, and the Middle are two of my favorite shows.
I am starting to hate watching the Middle. along with Hank. first of all allow me to say why I hate watching the Middle because the characters have problems being respectful. I am starting to agree with something that Skysoldier173 says from October 20, 2009 at 10:53 am. to see this series getting flushed down the toilet is great news. I am sure a wide amount of people are hoping that Modern family is being canceled by ABC, the Middle is crap because that’s coming from the filthy cycle for children who are not giving respect to their parents. the… Read more »
Well,I thought nothing could ever top Everbody Loves Raymond in terms of total crap until i heard about this show.If Ms. Heaton wants to get ahead in t.v. don’t do a show that’s a bigger piece of **** than Everbody love Raymond. The husband is a moron like Ray Romano the kids are imbeciles who get probably(and rightly)get their asses kicked in school.To see this show get flushed down the toilet would certainly be great news.
I completely disagree. The middle is a hilarious show, and I hope it sticks around much, much, longer.
I totally agree! I love this show! My fiancé and I have 3 children and we were young when we had them, I think it’s so refreshing to finally have a show actually show the financial burdens and stress of being parents (and kids!) While also showing that no, they’re not perfect they love each other and just do the best they can. I remember watching one episode where their electricity had gotten shut off and ours has been too! (We were just starting off, but still) it was just so nice to see that other families go through stuff… Read more »
guess what, Everybody Loves Raymond… 9 seasons! so ummm yea i think your the only one that hated it.
The Middle has been on for almost 10 years. So i would say that the rest of the world disagrees with you. This so is for fun, not to say eveything right in the world or wrong. It’s to intertan what i can see about 10 to 12million people every night it is on. It is also on 3 other stations in re-runs, but it is going off the air for new episodes. It will live on for many many years in re-runs.