SnoopyStyle
It's the misadventures of the Heck family in the small town of Orson in the flyover state of Indiana. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) does everything to make ends meet. Strong silent type Mike (Neil Flynn) is the supervisor at the quarry. The oldest child Axl (Charlie McDermott) is self-possessed to a fault. Middle child Sue (Eden Sher) is unflinchingly positive despite constant bumblings. Brick (Atticus Shaffer) exists on the spectrum.I like this family. I really like this family. I've seen only a few episodes of Everybody Loves Raymond. It's obvious that Heaton personifies the mother character. The cast is all great. The calling card of this show is a middle class nobility to middle America as it struggles with the world. It's not political other than the flyover premise. Its longevity is self-evident of quality work. This is a nice network sitcom. Its only misstep is probably Chris Kattan and they dropped him after 3 and a bit seasons. He was never more than a side character. This is a good solid sitcom with a long network run.
chrisleigh76
Thank you for 9 fabulous, fun filled, heart warming, tear jerking years.
bratily
This has been one of the best comedy shows I would ever watch. It has the best mixture of comedy and family fun throughout every season that it is hard to see its finale after nine years.Honestly, do make this part of your memory, it's one of the last pure comedies out there.
J. Mark Freckleton
It's not that I am a puritan, but most sitcoms have enough raunch to them that I don't always feel comfortable watching them in mixed company. Yet often the humor lies in the very words, phrases and concepts that make me want to keep my kids away from the show. That is never a concern with "The Middle." On the other hand, it is genuinely funny - and although based on exaggeration, a solid reflection of the typical, average small-town American family. Most families have to live modestly from paycheck to paycheck, live in a plain, cramped house with old, tattered furniture, drive an older (sometimes junky) car and live with a degree of eccentric dysfunction. However, the family members are loyal to one another, even as the occasionally disagree. So many family comedies depict a group living in a house that, these days, would cost a million dollars, with furniture brought in by an interior designer, who talk in in soundbites heavy with zingers and put-downs. "The Middle" has a coherent plot and a nice flow of dialog. Frankly, I have been surprised it has been on for so many seasons, running somewhat under the radar as it does, and I am looking forward to future seasons, at least until Brick goes off to college.