The Middle

:

Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 30, 2009
Season #: 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 177 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 139 out of 177
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 177
  3. Negative: 24 out of 177
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User Reviews

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  1. KellyV
    Nov 5, 2009
    4
    This show is pretty whiny-annoying. Not a real big fan. These people are losers....who wants to watch this?
  2. BobbyS.
    Oct 11, 2009
    4
    Malcolm in the Middle was one of the most well-written and underrated series of the last decade and this sitcom seems desperate to be in that same niche. The characters here seemed too sitcom-y, as opposed to the lived-in wackiness of Malcolm in the Middle's family. Patricia Heaton lacks the acting chops to convince the viewer she's not merely a caricature, while Neil Flynn Malcolm in the Middle was one of the most well-written and underrated series of the last decade and this sitcom seems desperate to be in that same niche. The characters here seemed too sitcom-y, as opposed to the lived-in wackiness of Malcolm in the Middle's family. Patricia Heaton lacks the acting chops to convince the viewer she's not merely a caricature, while Neil Flynn plays the same demeanor he's played in nearly everything else he's ever been cast in. Bottom line: Not terrible, but not entertaining either. The Middle is over-the-top in the worst way and too obtuse, but it has room to grow.… Expand
  3. PaulP.
    Sep 30, 2009
    6
    Happy to see Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn in this, but I'm afraid it's ultimately going to be a miss. It doesn't have funny enough lines to be a conventional sitcom, and it's not bizarre enough to be a satire. It might save itself with better writing, but we've seen both the "loser com" and the "truth that family life isn't Father Knows Best com" so many Happy to see Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn in this, but I'm afraid it's ultimately going to be a miss. It doesn't have funny enough lines to be a conventional sitcom, and it's not bizarre enough to be a satire. It might save itself with better writing, but we've seen both the "loser com" and the "truth that family life isn't Father Knows Best com" so many times that this doesn't stand out from the crowd. Maybe, if they do more satire about the Midwest. but right now, it's just not unique enough. And not interesting enough in a conventional way to be even remotely near a must see.… Expand
  4. Lannisters
    Aug 30, 2011
    6
    I like this show and I have watched the two seasons but I think this show can't last several seasons with that kind of jokes: The story lines are really predictable and the characters haven't evolve a lot for two seasons. I hope the third season will be better.
  5. alexandergreen
    Sep 8, 2011
    4
    Despite the brilliant Neil Flynn as a major cast member, this show just didn't tickle my funny bone. The premises are possibly funny, and some moments I thought were kind of clever, but overall it didn't impress.
  6. reviewfrom19842
    Jan 11, 2017
    5
    The first season of The Middle is just okay. Okay writing, okay acting, and okay characters.

    Best Episode: Pilot 7/10
    Worst Episode: The Front Door 4/10

Awards & Rankings

40
#40 Best TV Season of 2009
15
#15 Most Discussed TV Season of 2009
11
#11 Most Shared TV Season of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Dec 15, 2010
    75
    In its second season, Patricia Heaton's family sitcom seems to have found its natural resting point.
  2. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    60
    It's hard to know where The Middle will go after tonight's decent pilot. And that's part of the sitcom's promise, that it has the potential to blossom into a sweet if small celebration of a family of oddballs living distinctly unhip lives.
    Read full review
  3. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Paige Wiser
    88
    The Middle isn't the kind of sitcom you laugh at; it's the kind you laugh with.
    Read full review
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