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The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread

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The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread

Old 09-30-09, 05:36 AM
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The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

The Middle

Synopsis for Pilot:

Spoiler:


In the premiere of this slapstick sitcom about a working-class family in the U.S. heartland, frazzled mom Frankie (Patricia Heaton) tries to improve her sales---from zero---at the car dealership while making repeated trips to school for her youngest son, Brick, whose unusual behavior makes him an outcast among his peers.



Kinda ironic that Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton who both starred in Back to You get new sitcoms on the same network and back to back.

Anyways, who's going to try this one?
Old 09-30-09, 09:26 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Saw it on a screener along with Grammer's new sitcom (which I mentioned in another thread).

But this one was heads and shoulders above Hank. So far, it's my favorite sitcom of the season.

And this is coming from someone who seriously hates Patricia Heaton.
Old 09-30-09, 01:04 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Not really a big fan of Heaton because I refused to watch Everybody Loves Raymond. However, I have seen her on a few Made for TV movies and checked out a few episodes of Back to You and I found her charming and quite attractive for an older woman.
Old 09-30-09, 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by DJariya
Kinda ironic that Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton who both starred in Back to You get new sitcoms on the same network and back to back.
Given the early reviews of Hank, I wish Grammer had been cast right along with Heaton in this one instead.
Old 09-30-09, 07:54 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

This is actually good, and Hank sucks ass
Old 09-30-09, 08:23 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

This was way above Hank, had some good funny moments
Old 09-30-09, 08:29 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Originally Posted by Moopher
This was way above Hank, had some good funny moments

The funny part of the episode that stood out to me was when the mom and the dad was talking to their son's teacher and at the end of the meeting the mom says to the teacher-"How happy are you with your car?-lol

The pressure she was under to sell a car and that question from her was a laugh out loud moment.
Old 09-30-09, 08:31 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Wow... I actually like this. Quite a bit. Best new comedy of the year.

Therefore, it'll get canceled before November.
Old 09-30-09, 08:39 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Wow... I actually like this. Quite a bit. Best new comedy of the year.

Therefore, it'll get canceled before November.
Well in addition to us liking the show, ABC executives has to also like the ratings. That's the sad side of being a comedy fan-lol
Old 09-30-09, 08:57 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

so the kid looks like the best reason to watch this. sort of like a malcolm in the middle vibe. is that about right?
Old 09-30-09, 10:34 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I really enjoyed this show. The title already made me think of Malcolm in the Middle, and this is somewhat like it (although there's nothing like Malcolm in the Middle out there). I added it to my season pass. I cancelled Modern Family for SVU and Glee tonight, but I will give Modern Family another try next week. I love Brick, but is there something physically different about him? I remember him from Hancock.
Old 09-30-09, 11:36 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

thought it was funny. the little kid made it, although it seemed too much like malcolm in the middle.
Old 10-01-09, 07:50 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Originally Posted by TVComedyFan
Well in addition to us liking the show, ABC executives has to also like the ratings. That's the sad side of being a comedy fan-lol
They did have some cross promotion with Dancing with the Stars and Extreme Makeover.

Quirky, reminded me a bit of Malcom in the Middle.

I'll tune in again.
Old 10-01-09, 08:37 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I liked Neil Flynn and the weird little kid. Also (much to my surprise) Chris Kattan. The rest seemed painfully generic and unfunny. I'll keep it for at least another week to see if it picks up.

picks up.
Old 10-01-09, 08:44 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Hmm, I didn't check this one out last night, but with the positive feedback here, I might give the first episode a test drive.
Old 10-01-09, 09:11 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I never even planned to give this one a chance, but because of the positive feedback in this thread I gave it a shot right before bad and I actually enjoyed it.

Ugh, another show to add to my list for the time being.
Old 10-01-09, 10:41 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

It has potential, but this episode was just okay. I'll watch again.
Old 10-01-09, 11:21 AM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I liked this show - that little kid is the reason to watch. I got a Malcolm in the Middle Vibe (which I like) too.

The show has a "little miss sunshine" feel to it. I could see these charachters in a 90 minute movie.

I am done with Hank and Modern Family is on the fence (but I think I will be done with it)

I am looking forward to watching another episode next week
Old 10-01-09, 12:34 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

very funny and refreshing. Heaton scores, Grammar does not. i'd probably watch anything with Janitor (Neil Flynn) though.
Old 10-01-09, 12:50 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I thought this was pretty good as well..didn't think I'd be that funny but it surprised me. Love seeing the Janitor again...
Old 10-01-09, 01:19 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Originally Posted by JasonF
I liked Neil Flynn and the weird little kid. Also (much to my surprise) Chris Kattan. The rest seemed painfully generic and unfunny. I'll keep it for at least another week to see if it picks up.
My thoughts exactly. When we were watching it there were a few laughs...when it was over my family looked at each other and said "Wow, that pretty much sucked".
Old 10-01-09, 01:20 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Very funny. That little kid pushing his teachers boobs made me laugh out loud.
Old 10-01-09, 03:13 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

The different lenses and bright house colors give this show a Cat in the Hat vibe. It's distracting.
Old 10-01-09, 08:19 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

I also liked the kid.

Mom: "If you buy the car today I'll throw in (something I forgot)"
Kid" "No mom, that's a $600 value!!!!) ::Turns and smiles to the potential buyer:::

Mom: "I made dinner!" ::Plops down a bunch of takeout bags:::

Mom: "We're gonna eat as a family!" :::Cut to entire family lounging on the couch:::

MUCH better than Hank IMO
Old 10-01-09, 10:48 PM
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Re: The Middle -- New Series with Patricia Heaton -- Debuts 9/30/09

Wow...I did not like this one at all and am surprised by the feedback on this. Just another cliche sitcom. With the disastrous Hank as the lead in, I doubt this is going to catch on either.

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