The Middle (TV series)


The Middle is an American sitcom about a lower middle class family living in Indiana and facing the day-to-day struggles of home life, work, and raising children. The series premiered on September 30, 2009, on the ABC network, and concluded on May 22, 2018. The series features Everybody Loves Raymond actress Patricia Heaton and Scrubs actor Neil Flynn. The Middle was created by former Roseanne and Murphy Brown writers Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline of Blackie and Blondie Productions. The show is produced by Warner Bros. Television and Blackie and Blondie Productions. The Middle was praised by television critics and earned numerous award nominations.
A spin-off of the series, centered around Eden Sher's character, Sue Heck, was set to launch in 2019. However, ABC passed on the pilot, and it is being shopped to other networks.

Premise

The series features Frances "Frankie" Heck, a middle class, middle-aged, Midwestern woman and her husband Mike, who reside in the small fictional town of Orson, Indiana, based on the real town of Jasper, Indiana. They are the parents of three children, Axl, Sue, and Brick.
The series is narrated by Frankie, initially an under-performing salesperson at a used-car dealership and later a dental assistant. Her stoic husband Mike manages a local quarry and serves as a stabilizing influence in the family, though Frankie complains about his lack of affection at times. The kids are quite different from one another: oldest son Axl, a popular but lazy teenager, does well in sports but not in academics; daughter Sue is an enthusiastic young teen but chronically unsuccessful and socially awkward; and youngest son Brick is an intelligent but introverted compulsive reader with odd behavioral traits loosely hinted to derive from Asperger syndrome.

Episodes

Cast and characters

The series was originally developed in the 2006–07 development cycle for ABC and was to star Ricki Lake as Frankie. Atticus Shaffer was the only actor to retain his role when the show was re-developed. ABC later ordered a second, cast-contingent pilot order tied to Patricia Heaton being cast in the leading role for the 2008-09 development cycle. The series was created by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline and the pilot was directed by Julie Anne Robinson.
The show was originally set to take place in Jasper, Indiana, though the setting was changed to the fictional Orson, Indiana, on the advice of attorneys. However, Orson is based on, and presumed to be located near Jasper. The show was filmed in Stage 31 at the Warner Bros. Ranch, with the house's exterior and Elhert Motors on the ranch's Blondie Street. Set director Julie Fanton shops at traditionally mid-western places, such as Target and Kohl's, so the show appears to have a realistic middle-class look.
The series was picked up for a full season of 24 episodes after airing just two episodes. On January 12, 2010, ABC Entertainment President Steve McPherson announced that he was renewing The Middle for a second season. The show was renewed for a third season. The third season premiered with a one-hour episode on September 21, 2011. On May 10, 2012, ABC renewed the show for a fourth season, which premiered with a one-hour special on September 26, 2012. The show was renewed for a fifth season on May 10, 2013. ABC confirmed on May 9, 2014, that the series was picked up for a sixth season of 22 episodes, and officially ordered an additional two episodes in October of that year, bringing the season six total to 24.
On May 8, 2015, ABC officially picked up the series for a seventh season, renewing the contracts of the main cast at the same time. ABC renewed the series for season eight with a 22-episode order, later expanded to 23 episodes in December 2016.
The series was renewed for a ninth season on January 25, 2017, with filming beginning on August 15, 2017. On August 2, 2017, it was announced that the series would end after its ninth season, at the request of the series' creators. The one-hour series finale aired on May 22, 2018.

Release

Broadcast

The Middle premiered in the U.S. on September 30, 2009, on ABC. The series aired on City in Canada from the third to ninth season. Previously, the show aired on A during its first season. In Australia, the show premiered on December 7, 2009, on Nine Network. The New Zealand premiere was on May 8, 2010, on TV2. In India, the show premiered on January 5, 2015, on Romedy Now. In the UK, it premiered on August 29, 2010, on Sky1. Season 5 premiered on Comedy Central, UK on January 21, 2014, and in Ireland on April 16, 2014, on TV3. It has been adapted in Hindi on Reliance Broadcast Network comedy channel BIG MAGIC as Tedi Medi Family. It is also broadcast on the Neox Channel in Spain and Warner Channel in Latin America and Brazil.

Syndication

On March 6, 2012, it was announced that ABC Family obtained the rights to The Middle, which began airing the series on September 9, 2013.
Also, the series debuted in local syndication on September 16, 2013. As of September 2017, the show is no longer available for local syndication.
Hallmark Channel also acquired The Middle for syndication, which began airing in March 2014. However, the series left the network in August 2018. On August 5, 2019, the series rejoined the Hallmark Channel's line-up, airing in a block from 6:00-8:00 A.M. As of October 2019, the series has once again left the schedule.

Home media

In Region 1, seasons 1–4 had an official retail release. Seasons 5-9 were released as a MOD DVD-R via the Warner Archive Collection. The Canadian releases continue to be traditionally manufactured and sold, but are otherwise identical to their American counterparts. Distribution for regions 2 and 4 ended after the fourth season.

Reception

Critical reception

The Middle has received positive reviews from critics, citing its unique and original characters, and praising the show's consistent standard and realistic portrayal of lower-middle-class families. It holds a score of 71 out of 100 on the review aggregator website Metacritic. Critics also praise the show's good timing, writing, and acting; e.g., Robert Bianco of USA Today wrote, "...This series seems to more assuredly offer a first-class version of what so many viewers say they want: a humorous, heartfelt, realistic look at middle-class, middle-America family life." The praise has been, so far, consistent, with the observation of Entertainment Weeklys Ken Tucker, who observed, in season 2, The Middle continues to be "...a rock-solid show, the saga of a family struggling to keep their heads above the choppy economic waters..."
In the 2009–2010 season, The Middle ranked number six on Metacritic's "Best Reviewed New Network Show" list. Airing behind the quickly cancelled Hank during its first season, ratings were not initially impressive, averaging fewer than 7 million viewers. At the start of the 2010/2011 season, ABC moved the show to the beginning of its prime time block, and ratings increased substantially, with the show usually ranking second in its time slot to CBS's Survivor.
In 2016, Bob Sassone of Esquire published an article called "The Middle Is the Best TV Show You're Not Watching", wherein he expresses the dissatisfaction of the series' not having received nominations for several awards nor the deserved attention of the critics; he noted: "The Middle is the finest American sitcom on TV right now". After ABC confirmed that the ninth season of The Middle would be the last, Devon Ivie of Vulture wrote: "The Middle Is One of TV’s Most Underrated Gems", sharing, "I’ll miss the midwestern comfort of The Middle tremendously", and enumerating five reasons why readers should give the show a chance to charm them.

Ratings

Season 3's "Halloween II" was the most watched episode of the series, viewed by 10.16 million viewers.

Awards and nominations

In 2011, The Middle received a Gracie Award for Outstanding Comedy Series. The 1st Critics' Choice Television Awards nominated the series for Best Comedy Series, Patricia Heaton for Best Actress in a Comedy Series, and Eden Sher for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
YearAwardCategoryRecipientResult
2010Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actor 14 and OverBrock Ciarlelli
2010Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young ActressEden Sher
2010Humanitas Prize30 Minute CategoryEpisode: "The Block Party"-
2011Gracie AwardOutstanding Comedy SeriesThe Middle
20111st Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Comedy SeriesThe Middle
20111st Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy SeriesPatricia Heaton
20111st Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
2011Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actor Ten and UnderParker Contreras
2011Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actor Ten and UnderMason Cook
2011Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young ActorBrock Ciarlelli
2011Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actress 11–15Kelly Heyer
2011Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actress 17–21Blaine Saunders
2011Young Artist AwardOutstanding Young Ensemble in a TV SeriesEden Sher, Atticus Shaffer, and Charlie McDermott
20122nd Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
20121st PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Comedy SeriesThe Middle
20121st PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Actress in a Comedy SeriesPatricia Heaton
20121st PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
20121st PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Production Design in a Comedy SeriesEpisode: "The Map"
2012Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actor 17–21Brock Ciarlelli
2012Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actress 17–21Katlin Mastandrea
2012Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actress Ten and UnderMarlowe Peyton
2012Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Makeup for a Single-Camera Series Episode: "The Play"
2012Humanitas Prize30 Minute CategoryEpisode: "The Map"-
2012TV Guide AwardFavorite Comedy SeriesThe Middle-
2012Online Film & Television Association AwardBest Guest Actress in a Comedy SeriesWhoopi Goldberg
2013Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actor 17–21Brock Ciarlelli
2013Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actress 17–21Katlin Mastandrea
20133rd Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Comedy SeriesThe Middle
20133rd Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
20132013 Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Female Scene StealerEden Sher
2013TV Guide AwardFavorite Comedy SeriesThe Middle-
20132nd PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Comedy SeriesThe Middle
20132nd PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesCharlie McDermott
20132nd PAAFTJ Television AwardsBest Artistic/Visual Achievement in a Comedy SeriesEpisode: "Hallelujah Hoedown"
2013EWwy AwardsBest Actor in a Comedy SeriesNeil Flynn
2014Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actor 17–21Brock Ciarlelli
2014Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actress 17–21Katlin Mastandrea
2014EWwy AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
2014ASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsTop TV SeriesJoey Newman
2014Humanitas Prize30 Minute CategoryEpisode: "Halloween IV: The Ghost Story"
20142014 Teen Choice AwardsChoice TV Scene Stealer: FemaleEden Sher
2014TV Guide AwardFavorite Comedy SeriesThe Middle-
20155th Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher-
2015Young Artist AwardBest Recurring Young Actor 17–21Brock Ciarlelli
2015Young Artist AwardBest Guest Starring Young Actress 14–16Ava Allan
2015Kids' Choice AwardsFavorite TV ActorCharlie McDermott
2015Online Film & Television Association AwardBest Guest Actor in a Comedy SeriesDick Van Dyke
2015Gold Derby AwardsComedy Supporting ActressEden Sher
20166th Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actress in a Comedy SeriesEden Sher
20166th Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Supporting Actor in a Comedy SeriesNeil Flynn
2016Humanitas Prize30 Minute CategoryEpisode: "The Graduate"
2016Young Entertainer AwardsBest Recurring Young Actress – Television SeriesCasey Burke
2016Young Entertainer AwardsBest Guest Starring Young Actor – Television SeriesMatt Cornett
2017ASCAP Film and Television Music AwardsTop Television SeriesJoey Newman
2017Young Artist AwardBest Performance in a TV Series – Recurring Teen ActressCasey Burke
2018Young Entertainer AwardsBest Recurring Young Actress – Television SeriesCasey Burke
2018Movieguide AwardsFaith and Freedom Award for TVEpisode: "The 200th"
20199th Critics' Choice Television AwardsBest Comedy SeriesThe Middle

Spin-off

Development

On May 30, 2018, Variety reported that a spin-off was being eyed following the cancellation of Roseanne. Almost two months later, on July 20, 2018, in an interview with TVLine's Michael Ausiello, Sher revealed that ABC had ordered a pilot for the potential series.the ups and downs of a career and young adulthood in the big city of Chicago". As of October 5, 2018, the pilot was being filmed. The series was originally to be titled Sue Sue in the City, but this decision was later reversed, and the series remains untitled for the time being. On November 21, 2018, TV Line reported that the proposed spin-off would not be moving forward at ABC; it is being shopped to other networks.

Casting

On October 5, 2018, it was announced that major recurring character Brad Bottig, played by Brock Ciarlleli, had joined the cast as a series regular. A few days later on October 8, 2018, it was reported that Kimberley Crossman would join the cast as Remi, a hotel chef still recovering from a messy breakup that ended with her boyfriend driving away with their food truck and taking all of her dreams with it. It was also revealed that Sue would find herself working at the same hotel as Remi. On October 10, 2018, Finesse Mitchell joined the cast as Hudson, a bartender with a big heart who works at the same hotel as Sue. The following day, it was announced that Silicon Valley's Chris Diamantopoulos would play Sue's “mercurial, charming and rich” boss Nick, with newcomer Aaron Branch playing Otis, the hotel's naïve but endearing bellhop.