The Middle: Season 1
  • Network: ABC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 30, 2009
  • Season #: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4
The Middle Image
Metascore
71 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.4 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 117 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Patricia Heaton is a mother and wife working an average job in Indiana.
  • Genre(s): Comedy

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 25
  3. Negative: 0 out of 25
  1. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    100
    The writers have great ears for "real" dialogue, and, in fact, not a single line here feels like a dead ball. The characters, too, arrive fully formed and believable. First impressions are absolutely vital in TV, and The Middle makes an excellent one.
  2. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Nancy DeWolf Smith
    80
    What makes this a standout family show is not the absence of dirty words. Who needs those when there's an abundance of eccentric humor and bright writing?
  3. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Storm
    80
    A lively show with no canned laughter, where love has no chance to conquer all the family deficiencies but does make them not only bearable, but fun.
  4. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Alessandra Stanley
    60
    Ms. Heaton is less acerbic than she was on "Everybody Loves Raymond," but just as comical playing an overwhelmed Midwesterner who works at Orson's only surviving car dealership.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 58
  3. Negative: 13 out of 58
  1. KimmyTee
    10
    This show is great. It is always funny. The cast has great chemistry. They are just a working family with three very different kids. They are such a likable family that a lot of people can relate to.… Expand
  2. survivorfan989
    8
    The Middle is such an enjoyable show to watch as any family can probably in some way and I know my family certainly does. Episodes don't really stand-out from one another so in general its pretty much an above-average show. Patricia Heaton is the star and provides a lot of the laughs, but props to the kids who can also deliver also. I'm looking forward to continuing with the series.… Expand
  3. JL
    7
    The show is funny. Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn are great as the parents! Unlike Malcolm In The Middle, the show is more realistic, and deals with every day family problems.. Malcom was more exagerated.. Watch a couple of episodes, it kinda grows on you!… Collapse
  4. BobSmith
    3
    Show isn't terrible, and deserves more than 3 stars, but it is SUCH A COPY of Malcom in the Middle that watching the show is disturbing and uncomfortable. Sure, there are legitimate differences, but they don't overcome the fact that the show is such an obvious copy. Can't anyone come up with something original anymore?… Expand

See all 58 User Reviews

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