The Middle (ABC)

An appreciation thread for this under-the-radar show, 9 seasons long, that just wrapped.
There's a lot to love about this unassuming show, from the remarkable longevity, to the affectionate portrayal of everyday people in a small town, starting with Patricia Heaton. This is her second 9 season show (Everybody Loves Raymond is the other), an impressive achievement. The show has never had less than a full season order, including the last. The quality of the acting is hard to overestimate-Eden Sher and Atticus Shaffer (an interesting story himself) play much younger characters, Sher by some 8 years.
It's the diametric opposite of a water cooler show-it's not flashy in any way, and not terribly topical. It's the utility infielder of sitcoms, very steady and dependable. It's a syndication dream.
I notice that a few Middle threads have been shut down, probably due to politics. Hopefully that won't happen again.
'The Middle' films its final episode

 

Funny, when The Middle started, I didn't like it at all. I always felt like the episodes ended on a sour note. I far preferred Modern Family. Then, by season 3 of each show, I totally flipped--LOVED The Middle, hated Modern Family. For some reason, Hulu only has 5 episodes up at a time, so once I went to college, I lost track and never really returned, which I always felt a bit bad about. I'm sure I'll watch these last 3 seasons eventually.
It was always kind of under the radar, especially compared to Modern Family, which is sad. But you bring up a good point that it's pretty prrfect for syndication. I don't see much reason why it couldn't gain fans in the coming years.

 

We love this show in my house. The "rarity of rarities" , the whole family watched together ! When my kids were younger, it was nice to watch something with no objectionable moments. (also rare)
Great writing, consistently funny. The entire cast was brilliant. It will be missed here.

 

It's a great show but probably should have ended two seasons ago. I much prefer Patricia Heaton as Frankie over Raymond's nagging Deborah,

 

Loved the episodes that Big Mike and Rusty were in.

 

We love this show. I think we are in season 8 right now, but we have to go back and see the very first seasons. So hilarious.

 

Nah, her Debra character was way more interesting, smarter and funnier. Frankie was as dull as dishwater.

 

Been watching from the start. Really gonna miss it.

 

I love it. Will definitely miss this show.

 

Yeah, me too. Of course, I just like this show a lot better than Raymond too.

 

I used to hear my wife laughing really hard at times while I was in another room. After a while, I had to find out what it was all about. I've been a fan ever since. This was probably around season three. I going to miss it.

 

Although I didn't watch every week, I did watch most episodes. The first couple of seasons were weird. There were no topical references, no computers, no cell phones, and all white people. Is this some kind of alternate universe? Gradually, they started introducing those elements so we knew there were, in fact, in 21st Century America. I don't know if the original weirdness was intentional or not...

 

It took me a while, but The Middle became one of the few new sitcoms I actually found funny over the past decade or so. This season has been a bit of a disappointment, though.

 

Eden Sher as Sue Heck.......one of the most overlooked, underrated performances ever !

 

'The Middle' spin-off in the works at ABC focused on Sue Heck

It all makes sense now...the strange reference in the series finale to Sue and Sean breaking up a lot before they eventually get married was purposely put in to clear the air for Sue and the potential spinoff. Now she can have other romantic entanglements and won't disrupt the 'canon'.

 

Relax tv pur sang. Far removed from Hollywood fakery, overacting, perfect living, loud drama queenery modernisms. I love the episodes where they don't bother setting a good example as parents (yes I love all episodes )

 

Showing older episodes on Hallmark channel.

 

As well as Dick and Jerry Van Dyke as Frankie's uncle and dad, respectively.

I liked the show at the beginning and enjoyed it until that last drive away. I figured that there wasn't a thread about the show because it truly was about "The Middle," which Frankie (Patricia Heaton) says is the place you fly over on your way to somewhere." It reminded me of people I knew growing up, families I knew growing up and told humorous stories weekly. The show is on daily on the FreeForm channel. I've watched every episode, I believe. I know everyone has choices about the TV they watch. I'm glad ABC allowed the show to play out the way it did. The hour finale was funny and emotional imo.

 

I thought the final episode was well done. I was wondering how they were going to get a sentimental ending out of that family. The scene with the three kids in the back seat of the car all night made me weepy. And, the last two words of the show were perfect.

 

Great show. Great ending.

 

IIRC, the last shot was a jet flying over.

 

With the whisper?

 

Love the show and the way it wrapped up. Still watch the reruns on Hallmark.

Consistently good for the whole run except last year with Axel getting married to that not so smart person kind of was a stretch for me.

 

But he has 3 sons just like him!

 

Thought this was cancelled years ago.

Took long enough to start a thread