MovieChat Forums > The Middle (2009) Discussion > Will The Middle have 24 episodes this se...

Will The Middle have 24 episodes this season?

posted 8 years ago by ScaryMary123
6 replies | jump to latest

Considering the premiere of season 8 won't start until October 11th (which is usually the time period for episode 3 or 4), I wonder if they'll be following their typical pattern of breaking off for reruns in the winter, etc. If so, will their season end later, with 24 episodes (the same amount every year), or will three or four episodes be shaved off the season total?

And given all this, I have the very sneaking suspicion that they know this will be the last season of The Middle. They'll probably end with a double-episode (Axl's graduation and God knows what else), so that'll make up for one of the episodes missing at the beginning. I honestly can't see this show going another season after this one. It's memorable for Brick starting high school and Axl graduating and would be a perfect way to end the entire thing before it implodes. Bad enough the ratings are going to take a very serious hit against its high-powered competition!

[–] tmj2015 8 years ago

The new show after The Middle looks awful. Maybe after it's cancelled they will double up on new episodes of The Middle so we will get a full 24.

Or, maybe less reruns?

[–] sannozz94 8 years ago

They could have just 22 episodes (full season) instead of 24 (extended full season). Modern Family got 22 episodes last season to cut down on salaries of the cast.

I don't think it necessarily has to be the last season, they only premiere this late because ABC thinks it's funnier or something to broadcast the VP debates.....

The move to Tuesday doesn't mean that ABC just wants to do one last season in a different timeslot (to give new shows a chance), they just want to build two solid comedy nights and think The Middle is the best anchor for that..

However it could be over after 8 years. I hope not, but the show has had a very good and long run!

[–] heatonfan 8 years ago

Well it's never been a major hit for ABC, right?

However, it has been a solid performer for the Mouse house for years now.

I actually liken this series to "According, to Jim".

Don't read to much into this, but...

Both were long running ABC shows shuffled between tues-wed that never really found a substantial audience. And both were seen by critics as just mediocre or even less and thus never achieved much affection by the critics.

A dependable program with sturdy numbers.

And because of that...no press to gloat via tweets, articles and post on Facebook and such.

Equals no retweets about supposed articles written by supposed critics to share with friends on Facebook about a show that reached double digit viewers...just once in it's seven + years!

At this point, demo's don't even matter anymore. It's all thrown out the door.

Why?

Because nobody is even aware of "The Middle".

And it's been on the air for almost eight years now.

Critics have a teensy hold of the movie industry, but they hold a huge grip on television.

Regardless, this is major competition:

CBS: NCIS
NBC: The Voice
FOX: Brooklyn, Nine-Nine
CW: The Flash

Really?

And then there's cable, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon etc...

...A show wayyyyyyy past it's prime (in my opinion), with Patty (via an article from two years ago) receiving at least a 250,000 + paycheck for each episode.

It's guaranteed at least 13 episodes. The norm now.

"The Middle" will go into 2017 with it's head up or down.

After that???

Following Rosenthal's departure as producer in season 5, the show has remained barley alive in a downward spiral ever since.

'ugh...so no I doubt we'll get a full 24 episode order.

[–] ScaryMary123 8 years ago

You're right, The Middle has been a solid performer for ABC and has been up against some powerhouse competition: Survivor on CBS and American Idol on Fox. Still, it held its own. But now, the show is about to start its 8th season (I think that's how many According to Jim lasted), and let's face facts: the show is tired. The kids aren't cute anymore, especially Brick, and the storylines about them "maturing" have left a lot to be desired. I mean, come on--HOW many times do we need a plot involving Sue trying to impress still ANOTHER love interest, only to have it all go wrong in the end? Or Axl being attracted to the "girl of his dreams," only to see it crumble before the season's even over? Then, we have Frankie, who's either obsessing over her social standing, her job, an old friend, a neighbor, her children, or her mother. And there's always a scene in the bedroom, while Mike brushes his teeth, and she's going on and on about the newest problem she's experiencing. Toss in the requisite "guest appearance" by Nancy Donahue or maybe Rusty or Hutch or Brad, and you have something definitely beyond its "sell by" date.

That's why I think, with the day change (and being opposite THE number one show on TV isn't gonna help), The Middle is facing its last season. With Brick maturing into this odd man/child with a pale, ghostly face, weird haircut, and robotic, honking voice, whatever charm the show once had is gone. By this season's end, he'll be a sophomore in high school, Sue will be beginning her junior year in college, and Axl will be graduating from college. A good place to end it.

[–] droidX 8 years ago

13 episodes is not the "norm now"

[–] NobodymournstheWicked 8 years ago

Honestly i have no idea, and I don't even know if ABC has decide what they are going to do as episodes, or even if they have decoded if this is going to be the last season for the Middle. Even through I know that there won't be many years left in the tank. 1 or 2 more seasons at the very most. And normally I would think that if a station has decided a show is in its last season they will announce at the beginning of the season of it being in its last season. I don't know if ABC planned on killing the show, even since they moved it from Wednesday nights to Tuesday. There have been tv shows that have gone on to a 9th and even a 10th season, but not too many live actions show past season 10. The only ones that I can think off of the top of my head are Frashier, Cheers, and Married with Children that have gone 11 seasons. But Patrica Heaton's earlier tv show Everybody Loves Raymond went 9 seasons, snd even Friends went 10 seasons. Through I do know that at some point the Middle will end its run of new shows at some point. But it will live on in syndication, and if you also have been good about doing this buying the seasons on dvd when they have come out? Your right with it starting this week that it could have been easily episode 3 or 4, but who knows what will happen. At some point if they wanted to they could air 2 epodes back to back for an hour. Now if the show had stayed on Wednesdays and start sooner then this, do you still think it would end after this season, or go on a 9th season.