The Middle

The Middle is a Warner Bros. sitcom produced for the ABC network. The comedy revolves around the lives of a loveable if dysfunctional middle-class family, and stars Patricia Heaton as the matriarch, Frankie. Set in Indiana, the show chronicles the day-to-day lives of the average American family with two (one laid off) working parents. Frankie has trouble making any money selling cars an her husband, Mike, has been laid off from his job at quarry.

The show's success is most likely attributed to the fact that it is quite realistic. They shop at discount grocery stores. The decor of their home is woefully outdated. They eat fast food for dinner in front of the TV. The kids talk back. It's as realistic as a TV show family can be.

Patricia Heaton as Frankie - a well-meaning, frazzled mother of 3 who works as a car saleswoman. Neil Flynn as Mike - a straight-forward construction worker with a dry sense of humor. Charlie McDermott as Axl - a snotty teenage boy who is typically walking around in his underwear. Eden Shur as Sue - a neurotic, but lovable, dorky teenage girl with big braces and poor social skills. Atticus Shaffer as Brick - an incredibly intelligent elementary school student with some very bizarre habits. Chris Kattan as Bob - a funny sidekick for Frankie at the car lot.

1. Birth date: March 4, 1958
2. Birthplace: Bay Village, Ohio
3. Birth name: Patricia Helen Heaton
4. Drama major at The Ohio State University
5. Spouse: David Hunt
6. Authored the memoir Motherhood and Hollywood: How to Get a Job Like Mine
7. Played the long-running role of Debra Barone in Everybody Loves Raymond
8. Starred opposite Kelsey Grammer in the sitcom Back to You
9. Won 2 Emmy AwardsContact Music: ...Heaton...in Familiar Role (November 19, 2008)