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?
yes The Middle should have come back for a 10th season. Why cancel a decent family show to make room for more of the smutty trash that dominates the air waves?
There are so many shows that need to be cancelled as they have run the course an longer have interesting content but The Middle isn’t one. This show appeals to so many demographics! This show works on so many levels. I’m really sad that it has ended!
I think Lethal Weapon should bring on Brick Heck (Atticus Shaffer) as Damon Wayon’s new partner.
One of the biggest disappointments of this year–this show was funny–clean funny, and gave me a warm feeling. Never missed an episode in 9 seasons!
The Middle era is over. I am a bit sad it was cancelled. I have watched every episode over the 9 years is was on. Great casting and writing. Brick is my favourite character the way he would whisper to himself , lick cars and obsess over fonts and the microfiche. Really original character. I would have liked to see his girlfriend Cindy in the finale as well as Rita Glossner and her Hooligan kids. Hopefully Netflix will take over the reigns and renew it.
in these times of kardashian’s… mtv’ s teen pregnants… obama’s genre ideology…. a sitcom is a piece to be extinguised with VALOURS … a rare avis ! not emmys to win but the best of the prizes winned.,,,, our hearts! long life to this WONDERFUL show! it will keep in my memories for long long time! with other shows like with eight is enough… growing pains…family ties… and a lot of old shows!
and add Malcolm in the Middle to that list, Antiobama! Thanks goodness I found the re-runs. Not available on dvd except in foreign format 🙁
CAN not believe they canceled this great show!
Everyone everywhere we go or have over it’s brought back up -,what is this network thinking
I guess in these days they would have canceled Andy Griffith , Little house in the prairie , etc….
VERY SAD , they could have went on with much & a long time with this show ! DISSAPOINTED .
I am so sad “The Middle” is over!!! Great show, watched it since the beginning… loved the characters and story lines. one of the best shows on TV… you will be missed.
yes, for sure…I loved that show. Anyone with kids can relate. There were plenty of story lines they could have explored.
I never missed a single episode of this show because it was so poignant and real and showed humor in families. I grew up in the midwest one of six kids and it’s somehow was just a show I couldn’t miss.
One of the few shows I actually loved on TV is gone. So sad. I watched this from day one and came to almost connect with them like family. Bravo to the entire cast, crew and writers for giving us years of wonderful funny, and emotional episodes. The show will be missed dearly, but Thank the good Lord for re-runs. lol
Yes we needed another season. Great show. The finale was done great but still need more new shows
I think the show should have renewed. I love this show!! I have always loved that they were a realistic family of an average middle class. There was still so much of their lives to share with us. I really hope they reconsider bringing it back somehow, with the same cast, of course.
My family and I were very sad to see the show end. My daughter is Brick’s age, and it was fun watching both of them grow up! Part of me feels that it is like my own daughter’s childhood is over, and I am realizing that I am getting old! Wish Brooke Shields appeared as Rita Glossner in the final episode! (she could have appeared in the wedding scene, perhaps crashing the party!)
Very sad to see it go. There isn’t much in the way of wholesum introspective TV anymore, and it seems there was a lot more life in this story line. I loved the characters, because they seemed common and authentic. Good dialogue, humor, and character development, no violence or bad language, and no obnoxiously loud drama audio tracks. We’d have watched it for another nine years. Where do we go now!