‘The Middle’: Funny as Heck

(Published March 27, PDI-Entertainment)

By Oliver M. Pulumbarit

Contributor

The sitcom “The Middle” paints a pretty accurate portrait of motherhood, astutely depicting the joys and pains of a generous parent addressing her children’s never-ending needs. Facing head-on the challenges of properly raising disparate kids and making a living, Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) also learns valuable truths about family life stemming from unavoidable but funny missteps.

She’s a car saleswoman who rarely sells anything, sometimes sneaking out office supplies for her kids’ projects, or using cars she test-drives with prospective buyers to pick up her youngest child from school. Frankie has a supportive husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), but their kids find it easier to bother her with their emergencies.

Living in a quiet Indiana town described as the “middle” area flown over by airplanes between two popular destinations, the Hecks are a regular family with typical problems. But no two Heck kids are alike: Axl (Charlie McDermott), 16, is a sarcastic, sluggish jock; Sue (Eden Sher), 13, is awkward and devoid of recognizable talents; Brick (Atticus Shaffer), 9, is a bookworm with weird habits.

Viewers with siblings can certainly identify with the situations. In Frankie’s ongoing quest to understand and teach her kids about survival in the real world, she ultimately discovers redeeming sides to them that she doesn’t often see. Whether it’s Axl’s sensitivity, Sue’s unrelenting spirit, or Brick’s confidence in public speaking, Frankie and Mike feel that their oft-diplomatic parenting approach must be doing something right.

Heaton is especially effective as this TV mom, easily more delightful than her previous “Everybody Loves Raymond” role and enjoying a precious rapport with the three scene-stealing young actors and Flynn.

Chris Kattan is considerably toned-down as her wimpy co-worker, but still contributes sufficiently. Guest star Brooke Shields is memorably outrageous as the trashy mother of four bullies in one episode.

“The Middle” airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m., on JackTV.