tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post6049754807058125455..comments2023-11-03T06:02:02.128-07:00Comments on By Ken Levine: The one show that really made me laughBy Ken Levinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17305293821975250420noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-60335444437115339272014-04-08T12:00:56.008-07:002014-04-08T12:00:56.008-07:00This is honestly a show that has made me sit down ...This is honestly a show that has made me sit down and enjoy a few stimulating moments of the "boob tube". I am always saddened when the few episodes run along so fast on weekday nights; I just can never get enough!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-2373107375563763972013-10-18T13:50:26.187-07:002013-10-18T13:50:26.187-07:00I was so happy to read this review. I love the Mid...I was so happy to read this review. I love the Middle and cannot understand why more people are not talking about it!! trishnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-37676342646057772852013-10-12T12:15:42.205-07:002013-10-12T12:15:42.205-07:00I have the same problem with the Middle that I hav...I have the same problem with the Middle that I have had with the Simpsons since year eight. It's very difficult for me to find humor in mentally challenged people.Bob B.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5171987524957222022013-10-12T09:53:32.873-07:002013-10-12T09:53:32.873-07:00"Seinfeld" has been running at 7:30 on o..."Seinfeld" has been running at 7:30 on one of my local stations since "Seinfeld" went into syndication and they finally moved it out and replaced it with "The Middle". The funny part is I had never heard of it. Of course I haven't watched a sitcom on ABC since like "Barney Miller". Something about ABC sitcoms. They just seem so lame.Ike Iszanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00242135666260861294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66236650448374011282013-10-12T07:41:59.436-07:002013-10-12T07:41:59.436-07:00Neil Flynn is terrific. But because Bill Lawrence ...Neil Flynn is terrific. But because Bill Lawrence and crew gave him so much room to do what he does best, namely improvise his dialogue, I prefer Neil as the Janitor in Scrubs. Little Miss Smoke and Mirrorshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03929842073300471147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-4706901931172246882013-10-11T16:56:29.553-07:002013-10-11T16:56:29.553-07:00I don't, and won't, watch The Middle. You ...I don't, and won't, watch <i>The Middle</i>. You know the reason, and her initials are "PH".<br /><br />However, the show gives irregular employment to my good friend Ginny McMath, who has a recurring role on it. Any show that employs Ginny (Who is brilliantly funny, and should be starring in her own series, not irregularly supporting Malificent) can't be totally damned. <br /><br />Much as I love Ginny, she is unable to overcome my loathing of PH enough to get me to watch her episodes (And I'll go a long way for a friend's work. I saw every bloody-awful episode of <i>The Nanny</i> merely because a dear friend was a staff writer), but at least, in keeping her employed, PH is using her Evil do do some accidental good. Not enough to make up for her relentless public opposition to, and fund-raising to fight, stem-cell research (Why did PH want to keep Christopher Reeve and others injured like he was crippled? Because he was a liberal?), but it's at least doing some good. I do, however, wish Ginny would get a job on a show without PH. (Ginny's aunt was Ginger Rogers, whose real name was Virginia McMath, exactly like Ginny's.)D. McEwannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-63530690702286711992013-10-10T22:58:58.669-07:002013-10-10T22:58:58.669-07:00I love Eden Sher's energy. She puts everythin...I love Eden Sher's energy. She puts everything into her character and it shows. I get the feeling that she really does love playing that character.RareWaveshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778784501326773464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-40595898714056670092013-10-10T22:07:42.608-07:002013-10-10T22:07:42.608-07:00The Middle is a lot of fun. The episode where they...The Middle is a lot of fun. The episode where they forget Sue's birthday is an all-time classic. So are the "Simple Christmas" and "Taking Back the House" episodes.<br /><br />As for you, Mike Barer: when you grow up, you'll learn that not everyone has the same opinions as you. And you can appreciate the talents or enjoy the company of a person who has differing views. It's called tolerance and maturity. Try it.Marknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-81347933701846268562013-10-10T11:57:24.274-07:002013-10-10T11:57:24.274-07:00I agree - its a good show.If you have had kids, yo...I agree - its a good show.If you have had kids, you can identify.Brianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00760229533287495672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-31659873124857020732013-10-09T20:02:16.377-07:002013-10-09T20:02:16.377-07:00I initially caught a few episodes of The Middle by...I initially caught a few episodes of The Middle by accident when I was watching Better with You a few years back. Wound up totally loving the Hecks, and now I find it to be one of the shows I most look forward to during the week (and at the start of this season I'm watching 18, so that's some stiff competition). Amy K. Bredemeyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07392485309838795968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-62121728377606999492013-10-09T16:20:30.426-07:002013-10-09T16:20:30.426-07:00Which one is Malcolm?Which one is Malcolm?DJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-26939096066496846972013-10-09T06:04:53.024-07:002013-10-09T06:04:53.024-07:00I know Ken had mentioned Patricia Heaton and the M...I know Ken had mentioned Patricia Heaton and the Middle at some point in the last few years, so I correctly guessed this...but I hadn't really ever watched the show. Then a few weeks ago, ABC Family put it into syndication.<br /><br /><b>IT IS EASILY ONE OF THE FUNNIES SITCOMS IN YEARS.</b> Everyone on the cast is talented and the scripts are funny but REAL. I watch it with my 13 year-old, 16 year-old and wife (both of us in our 40s) and not only laugh but think it's pretty truthful. That's one reason it works so well. Can't recommend it enough.<br /><br />The episode where the kids are running around trying to manage things themselves has a running gag where the youngest is reading 'Of Mice and Men' and summarizing for the oldest (who hasn't read it for a book report due the next day) and it's both hysterical AND a pretty accurate summary of the book. "They shouldn't have called this 'of Mice and Men'! They should have called this MEN KILLING MEN! What kind of book is this?!?".WizarDruhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00251397305365764287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-369207489569021252013-10-09T05:13:35.176-07:002013-10-09T05:13:35.176-07:00I enjoyed "The Middle", but got out of t...I enjoyed "The Middle", but got out of the habit of watching it. It's nothing to do with the quality of the show.<br /><br />One thing I am happy about is that it features two people with humdrum jobs. For a while, it seemed as if we were inundated by folks that worked in the media or had trendy gigs.<br /><br />Also, short note to Chris, I really liked "The Pursuit of Happiness"! Thanks for mentioning it.Brian Phillipshttp://ultrasonicremote.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-33319368744939286902013-10-09T03:44:27.302-07:002013-10-09T03:44:27.302-07:00I've watched The Middle every week along with ...I've watched The Middle every week along with Modern Family since they hit the air and loved both equally. They have a completely different tone and sometimes I feel The Middle is more relatable - I live in the mid-west and our house most days is just as cluttered as Frankies. Modern family is impeccably written and the characters well rounded - but somehow I just care a bit more about the oddballs in The Middle. Eden Sher may play the funniest teenage girl ever! ABC has never been able to figure what goes in between and maybe Suburgatory was the closest to bridging the gap. That part they may never get right - but let's be happy for these 2 shows. Wednesday is must-see comedy tv night. For some reason I've just never been able to swallow any of the CBS comedies - 2 half Wits and a Kid, Big Bang, Mike and Molly or the others.Charlie O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06130126853720891726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-86332226956798769352013-10-09T03:28:17.304-07:002013-10-09T03:28:17.304-07:00What about the best, smartest and funniest sitcom ...What about the best, smartest and funniest sitcom on network tv? Parks and recreationHCarvalhonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-5879479743306437222013-10-09T00:34:29.830-07:002013-10-09T00:34:29.830-07:00What politics has Tim Allen put on camera?What politics has Tim Allen put on camera?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-64347490904531370762013-10-08T21:24:52.211-07:002013-10-08T21:24:52.211-07:00Caught the pilot of "We Are Men" kind of...Caught the pilot of "We Are Men" kind of by accident. Watched the second episode this week by choice.<br />Tony Shalhoub is funny, again.<br />Show's got a chance.John Leader Alfenitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05621979300065560358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-72615934509863535582013-10-08T21:12:32.017-07:002013-10-08T21:12:32.017-07:00On the mark as always, Ken. In fact, the only two...On the mark as always, Ken. In fact, the only two sitcoms currently in my DVR are the Big Bang Theory and the Middle. They are the only ones that still make me laugh out loud. And even Modern Family is starting to feel a little old hat as good as it has been. Meanwhile, The Middle is still consistently surprising me with their storylines.Lenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18024610955369307729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-65663266273790954072013-10-08T19:55:10.933-07:002013-10-08T19:55:10.933-07:00"However I've never liked the kid who pla..."However I've never liked the kid who plays Axl because he seems content to scream all his lines and act perpetuity agitated. I understand that's how his character is written, but it would be nice if he could convey subtlety every once in a while."<br /><br />I'm guessing you have never had a teenage boy at home -- if not sleeping, they are almost always agitated. Subtlety? Not so much. Whitaker Waltnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-47576052737798656812013-10-08T19:24:51.006-07:002013-10-08T19:24:51.006-07:00Friday Question; I know you hate 2 Broke Girls, bu...Friday Question; I know you hate 2 Broke Girls, but it brings up a question I've always wanted to know. Whenever Jennifer Coolidge comes on screen the first time, the studio audience goes wild with Ooohs. I remember this happening with Christina Applegate on Married With Children. I'm sure it happens with other shows too. Why do audiences do this? Is it only reserved for the sexy/slutty character? Does the stage manager encourage it? It drives me batty.Benhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05309084955578001544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-66617127792690631822013-10-08T16:28:09.791-07:002013-10-08T16:28:09.791-07:00A possible question for Friday. The final season o...A possible question for Friday. The final season of 'How I Met Your Mother' will take place over the 72 hour period leading up to Barney and Robin's wedding. Most story arcs are 3-5 episodes. Based on the first three episodes, it doesn't look promising. And Jason Segel just speaks to other characters through video, or he is in stand alone scenes(as if he agreed to another season on the condition that he doesn't have to be too involved). Do you think it is too much to devote a whole season to one location/story?scottmcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61429994673123855412013-10-08T14:32:21.522-07:002013-10-08T14:32:21.522-07:00Thanks for giving a little love to this neglected ...Thanks for giving a little love to this neglected show. How can you not love any sitcom where the weird uncle is played by Norm McDonald? Personally, I've never been blown away by "Modern Family" and don't understand why Emmy season consists of everyone who has even one line on it getting a nomination to the exclusion of so many people I like better, like Eden Sher. Maybe now that "The Middle" has just gone into syndication, more people will discover it. <br /><br />On an unrelated note, what do you think of this new article from Cracked.com: <br /><br />http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-famous-television-gags-well-never-see-again/Pat Reedernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-59116795600996834062013-10-08T14:03:00.198-07:002013-10-08T14:03:00.198-07:00Couldn't agree more, Ken. The wife and I were...Couldn't agree more, Ken. The wife and I were just saying, "Ya know, so far this season, 'The Middle' is funnier than 'Modern Family'". As you say, it's extremely well written, cast and acted. But I think some of my feelings come from getting awfully tired of that jerky, reality show camera style shows like Modern Family and "The Office" use. I think anything that draws attention away from the story and actors performance and towards the direction and technical workings of a sitcom is an unwanted interruption. Self conscious directing. Modern Family has succeeded in spite of it. Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-61370718181391404742013-10-08T13:55:03.227-07:002013-10-08T13:55:03.227-07:00The writing on The Middle has improved greatly sin...The writing on The Middle has improved greatly since the show started, to the point I'd say it's above average and definitely one of the better sitcoms on ABC. They've also made an effort to evolve the characters, a concept totally foreign in any one of the more popular Chuck Lorre sitcoms.<br /><br />However I've never liked the kid who plays Axl because he seems content to scream all his lines and act perpetuity agitated. I understand that's how his character is written, but it would be nice if he could convey subtlety every once in a while.<br /><br />More than any of that though, what I hate is the voiceover narration from Heaton that introduces and closes each episode, reinforcing a particular theme. Heaton as narrator also scores a few punchlines during the course of each episode.<br /><br />What is you opinion of voice over in sitcoms? I think it's a tired device that's used simply because writers don't believe readers can comprehend an episode's theme.Stevennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19336675.post-68833089884105004162013-10-08T13:48:09.900-07:002013-10-08T13:48:09.900-07:00Ken- thanks for writing this! The Middle is great ...Ken- thanks for writing this! The Middle is great and underappreciated show. I've been a fan from the beginning. It's great someone that knows what they're talking about shows it some love.Ednoreply@blogger.com