“Year of the Hecks” – After realizing that no one keeps their New Year’s resolutions, Frankie decides that they will be assigned anonymously to each family member, and an all-you-can-eat buffet feast will be the reward for those who can abide by their chosen resolution for a week. But chaos soon ensues when Frankie must spend more time with Brick, Mike needs to smile more, Axl has to keep his bedroom clean, Sue needs to stop trying out for things she’ll never make, and Brick must stop reading all of the time, on “The Middle,” WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Malcolm Foster Smith as Dave, Troy Metcalf as Jim, Katline Mastandrea as Ashley, Joe Bays as Coach Lazovick, Mary Pat Gleason as Mrs. Colavita, Diane Delano as police officer, Grace Bannon as Ruth, Jessica Garcia as Becky and Mackenzie Smith as 5th grade girl.

“Year of the Hecks” was written by David S. Rosenthal and directed by Elliot Hegarty.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

Source: ABC Press Release

Norm Macdonald Guest Stars as Mike’s Brother, Rusty

“The Play” – Frankie is thrilled when she learns that the Orson Community Theater is putting on a production of “The Wizard of Oz,” and that kids don’t need to audition to be munchkins, as they will be automatically cast – which is a perfect scenario for a hapless Sue. But things quickly go awry when Frankie is cast in a singing role and learns the director is not happy with Sue’s performance and may cut her from the play. Meanwhile, Brick asks his unreliably quirky Uncle Rusty (Norm Macdonald) to attend his school’s Special Friends Day – with disastrous results — on “The Middle,” WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chris Kattan as Bob Weaver, Norm Macdonald as Rusty, Harry Groener as Gene, Jill Basey as science teacher and Jenny Lerner as Dorothy.

The story for “The Play” was by Roy Brown & Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter, and the teleplay by Roy Brown. Eyal Gordin directed.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

Source: ABC Press Release

FRANKIE AND MIKE FRET THAT SLACKER SON AXL WILL BLOW HIS INTERVIEW WITH A FOOTBALL SCOUT AND QUASH HIS CHANCE TO EARN A SCHOLARSHIP TO COLLEGE

“Heck’s Best Thing” – Frankie and Mike are convinced that slacker son Axl will blow his interview with a football scout, which could earn him a scholarship to college. Meanwhile, Sue and Brick begin a texting marathon – and rack up some serious charges – when they discover that Aunt Edie accidentally gave them her cell phone; and Frankie tries to be completely attentive to the family’s needs when she realizes that she’s more considerate to outsiders than her own kin. Watch a sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chris Kattan as Bob Weaver, Jeanette Miller as Aunt Edie, Casey Sander as Jack Tracy, Paul Connor as salesclerk and Tracy Weisert as cashier.

“Heck’s Best Thing” was written by Vijal Patel and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

AFTER A COSTUME PARTY FIASCO, SUE DESPERATELY WANTS TO BE NOTICED BY THE GUYS AND ASKS A FLABBERGASTED MIKE FOR HIS ADVICE ON WHAT BOYS WANT WHEN IT COMES TO GIRLS, AND FRANKIE GETS STUCK TAKING BRICK AND HIS SOCIAL SKILLS GROUP TRICK-OR-TREATING

“Halloween II” – After being embarrassed over wearing a childish costume at a high school Halloween costume party and being ignored by the guys, Sue asks a flabbergasted Mike for his advice on what boys want when it comes to girls. Meanwhile, Frankie reluctantly volunteers to take Brick’s socially awkward school social skills group trick-or-treating, and Axl and his friends devise a plan to trick rather than treat the neighborhood kids on Halloween. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue, John Gammon as Darrin, Mason Cook as Corey, Andrew J. Fishman as Zack, Devan Leos as Henry, Aidan Potter as Scott, Jake Netter as Theo, Karly Rothenberg as woman, Chris Chauncey as man, Hailey Sole as girl and Brady Allen as little boy.

“Halloween II” was written by David S. Rosenthal and directed by Elliot Hegarty.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

FRANKIE AND MIKE CONSIDER BAILING ON THE HOUSE AND MOVING THE FAMILY TO AN APARTMENT WHEN THE HECK HOME BEGINS TO LITERALLY FALL APART

“Bad Choices” – As the Heck home begins to literally fall apart, Frankie and Mike consider leaving homeownership behind and moving the family to an apartment. Meanwhile, Axl tries to fake Frankie out by pretending that he’s sick in order to get out of taking a school test – and must later convince her that he’s well enough to attend a party that evening; Sue and her ex-sort-of-boyfriend, Brad, volunteer to prepare a school skit about showing the dangers of texting and drinking while driving; and Brick tries to offer a little bit of levity by spouting off Shakespearian quotes.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chris Kattan as Bob Weaver, Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue, John Gammon as Darrin, Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Julie Brown as Paula Norwood, Pat Finn as Bill Norwood, Sean O’Bryan as Ron Donahue, Sonya Eddy as Senora Porter, Vicki Davis as Debbie, Jeanne Taylor as Claudia and Price Carson as teacher.

“Bad Choices” was written by Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

FRANKIE FORCES AXL TO THINK ABOUT HIS FUTURE WHEN SHE LEARNS THAT HE HASN’T STUDIED FOR THE SCHOOL PSATs, AND A HOPEFUL SUE TRIES OUT FOR CHEER-LEADING

“The Test” – Frankie cracks down on Axl and forces him to focus on his future when she learns that the school PSATs are right around the corner and he hasn’t even begun to study for them. Meanwhile, Sue once again tries out for a school activity that may not be a perfect fit for her – cheer-leading — and Mike tries to toughen Brick up when he learns that his son is being bullied at school. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Julie Brown as Paula Norwood, Mary-Pat Green as Principal Larimer, Brittany Ross as Courtney, Natalie Lander as Debbie, Casey Sander as Jack Tracy and Ginny McMath as Darrin’s mom.

“The Test” was written by Tim Hobert and directed by Elliot Hegarty.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

FRANKIE DEMANDS MAJOR CHANGES BE MADE TO EVERY ASPECT OF THE HECK HOUSEHOLD – THEN FLEES TO HER MOTHER’S HOUSE — AFTER SHE IS MORTIFYINGLY HUMILIATED DUE TO A FAMILY MEMBER’S DIMWITTED ACTIONS

Marsha Mason (“The Goodbye Girl,” “Chapter Two”) Guest Stars as Frankie’s Mom, Pat

“Major Changes” – After being mortifyingly humiliated and grossed out due to a family member’s actions, Frankie has a meltdown and decrees to the family that major changes need to take place in every aspect of the Heck household – and then packs up and abruptly leaves. But Frankie’s not gone for good, as she heads to her mother’s (Marsha Mason) house for a little TLC and motherly advice to help her through the humiliation. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Brian Doyle-Murray as Mr. Ehlert and Marsha Mason as Pat Spence.

“Major Changes” was written by Eileen Heisler & DeAnn Heline and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

AXL PLAYS A TRICK ON SUE AT SCHOOL AND GETS HER IN TROUBLE, AND MIKE SETS A MEETING WITH BRICK’S NEW FOURTH GRADE TEACHER TO FIND OUT WHY HE’S ALLOWING HIS SON TO SKIP GYM

Chord Overstreet (“Glee”) Guest Stars as Brick’s Teacher, Mr. Wilkerson

“Hecking Order” – With Sue now in high school with Axl – who is totally embarrassed by her presence – Axl decides to play a mischievous trick on her, which earns his perfectionist sister a number of tardy slips. Meanwhile, Mike sets a meeting with Brick’s new fourth grade teacher, Mr. Wilkerson (Chord Overstreet, “Glee”), after learning that he’s allowing his son to skip gym; and Frankie and Mike bicker over which one of them is really the boss of the family.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Chord Overstreet as Ralph Wilkerson, Judy Kain as Ms. Wright, Christopher Darga as hall monitor, Ryan Heinke as Doug, Galadriel Stineman as Lucy Howard and Kevin Joy as Steve Johnson.

“Hecking Order” was written by Roy Brown and directed by Elliot Hegarty.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

FRANKIE AND MIKE TAKE THE FAMILY ON A CAMPING TRIP AND REVISIT MEMORIES OF THEIR CAMPSITE HONEYMOON 19 YEARS EARLIER — WHICH WAS COMPLETELY RUINED BY AN ACQUAINTANCE OF MIKE’S

Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton’s “Everybody Loves Raymond” Co-Star, Guest Stars as Nicky, a Not So Pleasant Blast from Frankie and Mike’s Past

“Forced Family Fun,” Part 1 & 2 – With school about to start in a few days, Frankie realizes that she and Mike have barely spent time together with the kids over the summer, so she insists that they take a short family vacation. But when Mike decides that the perfect family getaway is a camping trip, memories of their campsite honeymoon 19 years earlier — which was ruined by Nicky (Ray Romano), a sad-sack former high school acquaintance of Mike’s — come flashing back.

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Ray Romano as Nicky Kohlbrenner, Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue, Blaine Saunders as Carly, Sean O’Bryan as Ron Donahue, Laura Ann Kesling as Dotty Donahue, Sam Schuder as Shelly Donahue, Jill Tracy as Jill Hobert, Liz Montgomery as librarian, Amy Crofoot as mother, Trevor Glen Campbell as hot dog boy, Kathryn Collins as cute girl no. 1, Ashley Hawkins as cute girl no. 2 and Victoria Bruno as cute girl no. 3.

Part 1 of “Forced Family Fun” was written by Vijal Patel and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

Part 2 of “Forced Family Fun” was written by Vijal Patel and directed by Ken Whittingham.

“The Middle” was created and is executive produced by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline. The series is from Warner Bros. Television.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound.

BRICK HAS THREE DAYS TO COMPLETE A BIG SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT THAT HE’S LET SLIDE FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR OR RISK NOT BEING MOVED UP TO THE FOURTH GRADE

Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) Guest Stars as Brick’s Teacher, Ms. Rinsky

“Back to Summer” – With only three days left until summer vacation, Frankie is ecstatic that she’s made it through another school year with the family. But her happiness turns to panic when she and Mike learn that Brick needs to write a daily journal and turn it in to Ms. Rinsky (Doris Roberts) or risk not moving up to the fourth grade; that Axl hasn’t fulfilled his required 30 days of community service; and that, because of an error, Sue must prove that she never took a sick day from school in order to receive a perfect attendance award at her middle school graduation ceremony. See a video sneak peek from tonight’s episode:

“The Middle” stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue, Atticus Shaffer as Brick and Chris Kattan as Bob.

Guest starring are Doris Roberts as Ms. Rinsky, Andy Milder as Mr. Sholin, Patrika Darbo as
Ms. Jacobs, Jan Hoag as Nurse Fahler and Tom Beyer as Mr. Stevenson.

“Back to Summer” was written by DeAnn Heline & Eileen Heisler and directed by Ken Whittingham.

“The Middle” is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.