Losing it!

It just seemed flat, like a deflated party balloon. And you're right, we have seen ALL of this before: Frankie trying to make a point when nobody's listening; the odd and not-so-endearing "significant others" for the kids, Mike being Mike; all of them around the kitchen table (but not eating take-out, that's weird); and even weirder, the casserole dish that never diminished in content, no matter how many plates were filled! And, of course, we get Mike being grumpy with the new boyfriend (shades of Darrin).

I know there's a Middle template, and the writers rarely--if EVER--sway from that, but after seven seasons, the spice is gone. It's like biting into a pizza and realizing some ingredient was left out, and it just tastes dull and blah. I mean, we all know that Brick is weird--that's been driven into our collective consciousness since the first episode 7 years ago--so do we really need ANOTHER social situation where he demonstrates just how weird he is? Where's the development of the character? Outside of the styled hair, there apparently isn't any. As for Sue, it's the same thing. Once again, she's faced with a dilemma. Should she choose from column A or column B? Or maybe something from A and something from B, with a little C thrown in? Gawd! How MANY times have we seen this scenario? It's old, people, old and creaky.

As for Axl, the assorted girlfriends that appear and disappear in his life have grown very, very tiresome. Either they're too good for him or they're bimbos. How many has he had over the years? And no mention, outside of a throwaway line, that he's a college senior?

Don't get me wrong, I liked the Middle, but I haven't really liked it much since season five. That's when things started going south for me. And it's just gotten worse and worse. I really do think his will be the last season for the Middle. I also watched American Housewife afterward and thought it was terrible. I predict that by February, the Tuesday night line-up will be seriously tweaked, and we might even see The Middle moved back to its Wednesday spot--where it should've stayed.

I know why it was moved, and you're exactly right. They're hoping to shore up a weak Tuesday night schedule. But I predict that the schedule will falter, and by January or February, we'll be seeing a shake-up. At least one or maybe two of the shows will be cancelled--American Housewife and The Real O'Neals. I also predict ratings for The Middle will plummet, not only because ABC decided to put it up against the #1 rated series on broadcast television (NCIS) but when you start moving shows around (especially on different days), it tends to confuse people and oftentimes leads to cancellation. Plus, it doesn't help that The Middle is in its 8th season, is creaky in the joints, and has lost a LOT of its charm. So, I'll make this prediction right now: it'll be the last season for The Middle. And I also have a sneaking feeling that ABC will move it back to Wednesdays, since The Goldbergs isn't doing so hot as the anchor show.

Just my predictions. We'll see how it all plays out.

What are the two comedies "likely to go?"

It's also one of the very few shows that the whole family can watch because the language isn't rough and they tend to stay away from more adult themes and situations.