I ended up really liking this show! It took a while but once I got into the show, there were several LOL moments. This show along with Modern Family make a great one-two punch for ABC, but they need to lose a really stinky Hank and sleazy Cougar and add Scrubs and another good comedy for a perfect night.

I ended up really liking this show! It took a while but once I got into the show, there were several LOL moments. This show along with Modern Family make a great one-two punch for ABC, but they need to lose a really stinky Hank and sleazy Cougar and add Scrubs and another good comedy for a perfect night.

Better Off Ted and Scrubs should be on right now, instead of midseason.

My wife and I didn't really care for it. It reminded me of "My Name is Earl", but without the creativity or heart.

My wife and I didn't really care for it. It reminded me of "My Name is Earl", but without the creativity or heart.

You mean you didn't feel anything when the daughter screwed up the show in her moment of long-awaited glory? Maybe it's not the show that doesn't have heart.

Two thumbs up from my house. Everybody on this show has some quirk that makes them entertaining.

Liked this one - Heaton is good to see again. Odd though - she is a long ways from the Long Island housewife everyone knows. But thought it was LOL worthy at several points. Recommended.

My wife and I didn't really care for it. It reminded me of "My Name is Earl", but without the creativity or heart.Felt a lot like Malcolm in the Middle to myself.

Felt a lot like Malcolm in the Middle to myself.
I got a Roseanne feel from it. But I did like the show portraying somewhat realistic people and not everyone walking around in 4" heels and $1000 outfits while sitting around the house..

Not bad, but very familiar territory.

It ended too well, because when the narration finished I thought it was a nice wrap up - for a movie. It didn't give me much incentive to watch next week.

And that kid who looked like the other young kid on Malcom in the Middle I couldn't stand. He was just too weird to be seen as funny. That kid has far too many problems.

Next week he'll be finding dead animals and taking them apart to see what's inside.

I got a Roseanne feel from it. But I did like the show portraying somewhat realistic people and not everyone walking around in 4" heel and $1000 outfits will sitting around the house..

+1; well said.

Quirky, good writing, a few lol moments and a tug at the heart strings here and there = a scrubs-like hit show.

We've watched a couple episodes and like this a lot. Probably my favorite new comedy. I definitely get a Roseanne/Malcom vibe, kindof mixed with Family Guy (with the flashbacks and stuff).

Apparently the tried this show back in 2007 as well. Same characters, but the only actor still in it is the kid (Brick):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0889137/

We are enjoying it, but doesn't seem to have a lot of buzz.

Felt a lot like Malcolm in the Middle to myself.

Just from watching the previews/commercials for this show, this is exactly what I thought. The characters, the odd behavior, the name, etc all seemed like a complete ripoff of that.

We've watched a couple episodes and like this a lot. Probably my favorite new comedy. I definitely get a Roseanne/Malcom vibe, kindof mixed with Family Guy (with the flashbacks and stuff).

Apparently the tried this show back in 2007 as well. Same characters, but the only actor still in it is the kid (Brick):
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0889137/

We are enjoying it, but doesn't seem to have a lot of buzz.

It was only a pilot that didn't get the nod - not surprising with Ricki Lake in the lead ... Patricia Heaton is light-years more likable than Lake - IMHO.

I just wanted to give a belated shout out to this show.
It has consistently gotten better this season. This week's episode was the best yet.
It's definitely a little more family-oriented than the two good shows that follow it - Modern Family and Cougar Town.

The Middle is one of my favorite new shows. A combination of sly, yet in your face, off-the-wall/quirky dysfunctional family comedy that's very well written and even better acting. This show deserves more love and buzz ... but it's pretty much under the radar here - mine will only be the 15th post in this thread. Where's the love people??

Some of us are nervous about voicing our appreciation, as the "series cancellers" are always about...

They might as well cancel this show. I'd hate to see ABC waste one minute of their primetime with something original, smart and funny when they could better utilize the time with some mindless, godawful tripe like "Modern Family" or a "Two and a Half Men" ripoff show. Or they could always fill the hour with pure dog dung like "Private Practice" or attempt to prop another garbage show like "Ugly Betty" in its 49th time slot in three years.

ABC is truly pathetic. It's a shame this show will probly eventually go since it doesn't get anywhere near the attention "Modern Family" or "Cougar Town" gets. Just like a certain other good show starring Portia DRossi last year. ;)

second best show on ABC after Modern Family. 'The Middle' reminds me a lot of my own family

second best show on ABC after Modern Family. 'The Middle' reminds me a lot of my own family

Personally I prefer The Middle over Modern Family and Middle is 2nd fiddle to LOST on ABC for me.

I enjoy The Middle for its quirkiness, it would have been perfect with Better Off Ted, instead of that "Hank" failure. Modern Family seemed a bit funny but I dislike it now that its so overrated.

Unsure why, but Modern Family just hasn't grabbed me. Other than the eps featuring Shelly Long, I'm just not feeling it.