I love Modern Family — who doesn’t? I chuckle watching Cougar Town. But I think The Middle is the most underrated of the Wednesday-night sitcoms. Read the full post.
Jan 5
2011
09:59 PM ET
Is 'The Middle' Wednesday night's most underrated show?
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Agreed Ken, “The Middle” is very entertaining. The kid actors are actually pretty good, which is not guaranteed in family sitcoms.
I love patty heaton but I hate this show. I could barely make it thru 1 episode last season. She is whiney & weak. Love Neil Flynn, too but his talents seem to be wasted here!
I love “Modern Family” but our family is just really not that modern, we are a “Middle” family and produces belly laughs from me every week for how close to home its humor hits! It certainly does not get the headlines but it get the laughs.
Finally some recognition. Now just get rid of Better With You
Love The Middle. As someone pointed out, all three kids are funny (which doesn’t happen all that often). Sue is my favorite character. Did you know she’s on the cross-country team?
the middle seems to be a knock off of malcom in the middle. similar title, and very similar families especially between the moms and dewy and the youngest kid in the middle. and both families have financial and job problems
People keep saying that. I watched both and see no similarity at all. Characters are very diffrent, title refers to two separate middles, and but your examples, the middle would also me a “knock off” for Roseanne.
I agree that The Middle is the most underrated show on ABC Wednesdays. But Cougar Town does not make me laugh. I feel all the actors try way too hard to be likeable that they come off as annoying caricatures. And don’t even bother with Better With You. I CANNOT stand that show. I’ll stick with The Middle and Modern Family thank you very much!
Yes,yes,yes! Loved it from day one:)
I never miss “The Middle.” Likeable characters, good one-liners, it’s a winner.
“The Middle” gets better and better every week…every single character can provoke laughs. But “Better With You”? I tried every single episode aired in 2010, but it is deleted from my Season Pass. I could not stand the forced humor…thought I was watching an adult version of a cringeworthy Disney Channel show.
No.
I agree completely. While I love Modern Family, The Middle is definitely under appreciated. It is consistently funny and presents a realistic family. The characters are hilarious and the situations are relatable. The Middle definitely deserves more love.
Oh, and I would definitely suggest giving Better With You a chance. I didn’t expect to like the show at all, but I have been enjoying it. Watch the last minute of Wednesday’s episode and try not to laugh.
Love The Middle. There is an inherent sweetness underlying the eternal parent/child dynamic. Plus I love Sue!
I disagree. I also watch all the comedies on ABC on Wednesdays, and I like The Middle but I do not enjoy it nearly as much as Modern Family and Cougar Town. It’s a nice show, but it wouldn’t be something I recommend. It’s kind of like you said on the podcast it’s not one of the worst or the best, it fall in “the middle”.
I agree with Laura. The Middle is a pleasant enough show, and at times it’s almost as funny as the shows that are on an hour later (it’s miles ahead of the mediocre Better With You, but that goes without saying). But when it’s not at the top of its of game, it can be pretty miserable–the foreign exchange student episode was easily the most boring half hour of television I’ve watched this year.
I think the show is somewhat *overrated* by Ken and some of the commentators here, probably because of its relatability (it’s easier to feel connected to these characters than, say, those on Cougar Town) and the strong cast (the kid actors in particular are some of the best on TV). But let’s not get carried away saying this show is some unsung modern classic; as others have pointed out, it’s VERY similar to Malcolm in the Middle. Modern Family deserves to be the most acclaimed of ABC’s comedy block, and if you’re looking for the most underrated, that’s Cougar Town, hands down.
How is Cougar Town underrated? It gets plenty of press and praise. We enjoy both shows, but I think you have lost sight of what this article is about. How does a show in its second season, grow in ratings, mainly get excellent word of mouth (as seen here), yet stays completely under the radar? Cougar Town may be under watched, but not underrated. But I guess it’s another case of “you are all wrong and I am right” as seen so much on this website. And please specify how Malcolm and this show are VERY similar? I watch both and do not see it. the only similarity I see is that they both have Middle in the title and voice overs.
The Middle is the best of ABC’s Wednesday night shows. Modern Family is very inconsistent- funny one week, ho-hum the next. Brick, Sue, & Axel (sp) are all lovable in their own weird ways. I hope The Middle has a good long run.