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      Season 1 – The Middle

      2009 Comedy List
      76% 21 Reviews Tomatometer 84% 100+ Ratings Audience Score In the Heck family, middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) uses a sense of humor to try to steer her family through life's ups and downs as she tackles her career goals. Her unflappable husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche -- despite much enthusiasm in her attempts -- and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack. Read More Read Less Watch on Peacock Stream Now

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      The Middle — Season 1

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      The Middle — Season 1

      What to Know

      Critics Consensus

      The Middle is a smart and engaging sitcom, able to exaggerate everyday situations to great comedic effect.

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      Audience Reviews

      View All (13) audience reviews
      Will W A very fun season to watch. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/24 Full Review Ash W It is SO relatable and funny! Definitely recommend! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/28/24 Full Review Grace M It was awesome!! I can really relate to Sue because I'm often optimistic, work hard, and I have lots of enthusiasm.I can also relate to Brick because I'm awkward, and I like my alone time. Axl is like my brother lol, he's arrogant and he doesn't clean after himself. The parents are typical man overly logic, woman over emotional. The kids fight a lot. It was really heart-felt, and a lot of families can relate to it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/27/23 Full Review Gregory M AMAZING!!!!! a good family tv show for older tweens. It is funny, relatable, and engaging. My whole family loves it! -Written by Gregory's daughter :) Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/24/23 Full Review Jesse C at first i only watched this because my parents made me and expected really low of the show, but it is way higher than i expected it to be Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/23 Full Review ireganoo 0 very underrated sitcom Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/11/22 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Sep 30, 2009 Pilot Sue auditions for show choir; Brick asks Frankie to come to his class presentation dressed in a costume; Frankie thinks she has finally sold a car. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 7, 2009 The Cheerleader Frankie organizes a publicity stunt in hopes of saving her job; Sue discovers she needs glasses; Brick starts reading his mother's romance novels. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 14, 2009 The Floating Anniversary Sick Brick, lovesick Sue, Axl, two crazy aunts and their diaper-wearing dog thwart Frankie and Mike's romantic plans for their anniversary. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 21, 2009 The Trip Frankie encourages Sue to fight for her right to attend a class trip to the state capital; Brick's first girlfriend turns out to be a bit bossy. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 28, 2009 The Block Party When Brick's teachers determine that he is socially challenged, Mike involves him in various activities, eventually settling on the block-party lawn-mower contest. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 4, 2009 The Front Door Axl accidentally breaks down the front door and Mike insists he fix it; Frankie may be forced to wear a dog suit. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 18, 2009 The Scratch An accident leads to a visit from a social worker; Bob tries to help Mr. Ehlert shoot a commercial. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 25, 2009 Thanksgiving Mr. Ehlert forces the staff to work on Thanksgiving; Brick gets lost in a corn maze. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 2, 2009 Siblings Frankie tries to stop her kids from fighting with one another; Mike considers firing Aunt Edie when she makes a costly mistake. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 9, 2009 Christmas Mike offers to organize the Heck family Christmas so that Frankie can focus on rehearsing for her solo in the midnight Mass. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 6, 2010 The Jeans Sue wants an expensive pair of jeans in order to fit in with her peers; Frankie and Mike let Brick take care of Aunt Edie and Aunt Ginny's dog for a few days. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 6, 2010 The Neighbor Sue has a confrontation with a neighbor's sons; Axl is asked to help Brick with a gym requirement. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 13, 2010 The Interview Mike discovers a dinosaur bone in the quarry at work; Brick decides to run for school historian. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 3, 2010 The Yelling Frankie vows to stop yelling at the kids if they start following through on their schoolwork and chores; Mike takes a night job as a driver delivering snack cakes. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 10, 2010 Valentine's Day Frankie and Mike try to plan a quiet, romantic Valentine's Day without the kids. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 3, 2010 The Bee Mike helps Brick train for a regional spelling bee; Sue's birthday is forgotten. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 10, 2010 The Break-Up Axl is heartbroken when his girlfriend (Alexa Vega) breaks up with him; Sue and Brick watch a scary movie. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 24, 2010 The Fun House Frankie worries about her job when a motivational consultant (Amy Sedaris) is asked to speak to the sales staff; Mike gives advice to Sue's ex-boyfriend and helps Brick with a school project. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 31, 2010 The Final Four Mike receives tickets to a basketball game that falls on the day of the funeral of Frankie's uncle; Brick tries to avoid a birthday party. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 14, 2010 TV or Not TV Mike and Frankie decide to cut unnecessary expenses, including their cable TV; Brick and his fellow socially challenged friends are forced to socialize during recess. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 28, 2010 Worry Duty Frankie worries that Axl will be heartbroken when his on-again and off-again girlfriend re-enters his life; Brick must watch over a baby chick for a school project. Details Episode 22 Aired May 5, 2010 Mother's Day Frankie does more for Mike and the kids and less for herself on Mother's Day; Sue feels guilty when she steals a motivational magnet from a store. Details Episode 23 Aired May 12, 2010 Signals Mike decides that he and Brick should be more social at the Heck family barbecue; Axl sets out to clean the family pool to entice girls to stop by for a swim. Details Episode 24 Aired May 19, 2010 Average Rules Frankie and Mike find out that Brick may be held back a grade because of the school librarian (Betty White); an aptitude test reveals Axl to be academically gifted. Details

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      Photos

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      The Middle — Season 1

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (21) Critics Reviews
      John Griffiths Us Weekly This solid comedy hits its stride. Rated: 3.5/5 Sep 15, 2017 Full Review Lucy Mangan Guardian It may improve as it finds its feet, but at the moment, it's a very middling kind of deal. Sep 17, 2013 Full Review Dan Fienberg HitFix The Middle wasn't tremendously funny, but the family dynamic felt like a healthy mixture of real and sitcom-y, all with a big dose of heart at the end. Sep 17, 2013 Full Review Dustin Rowles Pajiba "The Middle," appropriately enough, is not nearly as good as "Modern Family," nor is it nearly as bad as the other show that bookends it, "Hank." It's somewhere in the middle. Jun 15, 2018 Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette A funny, fast-moving celebration of harried family life in middle America. Oct 8, 2009 Full Review Read all reviews

      Season Info

      Director
      Ken Whittingham, Michael Alan Spiller, Barnet Kellman, Chris Koch, Lee Shallat Chemel, Wendey Stanzler, Jamie Babbit, Julie Anne Robinson
      Executive Producer
      Eileen Heisler, DeAnn Heline
      Screenwriter
      DeAnn Heline, Vijal Patel, Rob Ulin, Jana Hunter, Bruce Rasmussen, Roy Brown, Russ Woody, Alex Reid, Eileen Heisler, Mitch Hunter
      Network
      ABC
      Rating
      TV-PG
      Genre
      Comedy
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Sep 30, 2009
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