Entertainment NOW

December 09, 2017

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TV Media Weekly | December 9 - 15, 2017 By Kat Mulligan TV Media F amily comedies are essential to prime-time television, though few manage to break through the fourth wall and provide a sense of genu- ine authenticity. It seems as if each decade graces us with one or two quality family sitcoms, the highs and lows of their experiences so familiar that we become a part of the family ourselves. Such legend- ary series include "All in the Fami- ly," "Roseanne," "Full House" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Thankfully, the current genera- tion has found its own iconic family to join, though sadly the time has come to say goodbye. The final season of "The Middle" is under- way, with a new, Christmas- themed episode arriving Tuesday, Dec. 12, on ABC. "The Middle" made its way into homes across North America back in September 2009. Throughout the pilot episode, mom Frankie, played by Patricia Heaton ("Every- body Loves Raymond"), provides the rundown on the Hecks, her family of five. There's the eldest of her three children, Axl (Charlie Mc- Dermott, "Hot Tub Time Machine," 2010), a carefree, athletic rebel; Sue (Eden Sher, "The Outcasts," 2017), a klutzy yet optimistic and driven middle child; and Brick (Atti- cus Shaffer, "Steven Universe"), the brainy, quirky youngest child who juggles exceptional smarts with exhausting boredom. Dad Mike, played by Neil Flynn ("Scrubs"), rounds off the bunch with his towering height, level head and blunt honesty. As the family manages day-to-day strug- gles between breakfasts of frozen pancakes and fast food dinners around a glowing television screen, there is something incredi- bly raw and endearing about them. There's no need to try to impress, and no wanting for more than what is possible for them. As the Hecks straddle the line between middle and lower class, there is a sense that a reflection is being sent back to millions of Americans who see their own reality playing out onscreen, week by week. Perhaps this is why the series has long en- dured, as families have grown up with, and alongside, the Hecks. This growth is quite literal, with season 9 finding the family shifting toward an adult majority: Brick is now the sole teenager in the house, and entering his sophomore year of high school. Sue is a junior at college, while Axl has found his way home from Europe, greatly changed by the experience (well, somewhat). Frankie and Mike con- front the realities of having their adult children at home and the need for both of them, but espe- cially Axl, to contribute to keeping the family afloat as they juggle dai- ly bills and expenses. Another notable element of the season thus far is its recognition of the family's journey — the lasting impact of the Hecks in their own universe and the world beyond the screen. The season 9 premiere made this theme overtly clear, with Frankie's obsessing over the town's time capsule project, stress- ing to the family the importance of finding just the right way to com- memorate their presence in the town, because, as Frankie frantical- ly asks: "Will people remember that the Hecks were here?" It's an obvious thematic choice for a final season, but, as the series does so skilfully, Frankie's ques- tioning and desire to know the family has had an impact is ex- tremely relatable. Thankfully, the series is helping Frankie to find the answer, by reflecting back on memorable events of "The Mid- dle." The credit scenes of the epi- sode "Thanksgiving IX," for in- stance, reflect on the past nine years of Heck family Thanksgivings. Montages such as this one tug at the heartstrings of fans, who have shared these holiday moments for nearly a decade with "The Mid- dle," and now accept the bitter- sweet conclusion to such a relat- able journey. The desire to end the series with season 9 came as quite a shock to fans, who have only seen the show increase in depth and popularity. It would seem that the main reason for concluding "The Middle" at this point is to end the show while it still resonates with viewers, with- out experiencing a dramatic down- turn in ratings or interest. In an in- terview on "Live with Kelly and Ryan," Heaton addressed this: "We love the show, and we love each other, but you get this sense of when it's time to leave the party. You don't want to wait until it's kind of already over." The series, still extremely rele- vant in a time when many families find making ends meet increasing- ly challenging, could no doubt have continued to have quite a successful run, but leaving during this pivotal time ensures that the Heck family will not be easily for- gotten. Heaton has also been very expressive about the impact of the series and its relationship with its fans. While speaking with Enter- tainment Weekly, she emphasized that, for the cast, the crew, the writers and the fans, closure is es- sential. "There are so many people who have been so loyal ... and feel like these characters are their fami- ly," she said, "so we'll all go on this farewell journey together." The journey of the Heck family may be coming to a close this sea- son, but it will forever have a place amongst those legendary family sitcoms that weren't afraid to serve a thick slice of reality along- side their humorous main course. Reflect on the past eight seasons and hold those memories close as you enjoy some holiday cheer with the Hecks. An all-new Christmas- themed episode of "The Middle" airs Tuesday, Dec. 12, on ABC. Patricia Heaton stars in "The Middle" One Heck of a family: Creating a legacy with 'The Middle' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charley's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" GVC Mortgage 5 x 2"

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