'The Middle' a 'Malcolm in the Middle' Rip Off? - Malcolm in the Middle Voting Community

tjpeople · Sep 1, 2009, 08:16 PM

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[See Front Page Post for Video]

The Middle is a new ABC sitcom based around a mother of 3, Frankie (!?) Heck (Patricia Heaton) she's "middle class in the middle of the country and is rapidly approaching middle age." Not surprisingly as soon as anyone heard about the show, thoughts turn to Malcolm in the Middle. I find it hard to believe you'd have a quirky (read dysfunctional) family based sitcom called The Middle and not expect everyone to compare it to Malcolm, but maybe that's what ABC wanted? The next Malcolm in the Middle?

OK, so the title of this post was a bit of link bait I don't, based on the previews, believe The Middle is a Malcolm rip off, but I had a quick bit of fun matching some scenes in the above video. AOL calls it "a dead ringer for Malcolm in the Middle with its realistic, wry take on regular family life" and they continue saying "little Atticus Shaffer steals the show as younger son Brick".

[See Front Page Post for Video]

It looks to have potential and I'll be sure to check it out. It debuts on ABC 8:30pm EST, September 30th.

Source: ABC & AOL TV

MITM_Fan · Sep 2, 2009, 06:48 AM

Wow thanks for this info!

This rip-off looks pretty good (I hate rip-offs but some are good).

AlexTheMartian · Sep 3, 2009, 08:36 PM

Might be an OK show, but i feel if it gets any popularity, people will forget MITM

Lparsons7981 · Sep 3, 2009, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexTheMartian

Might be an OK show, but i feel if it gets any popularity, people will forget MITM

Same way I feel.

It's tough to say how it will be, for me personally nothing can be MITM because it was almost a perfect storm of when it was on in my life that made it so important to me, but for the general public, I don't think it could be as successful or as high quality (they don't neccasarily go hand in hand lol) without the excellent cast chemistry and talent MITM had.

MalcolmFun · Sep 7, 2009, 11:31 PM

Ha, they even borrowed Hal's "Stuck in the Middle with You" song.

deweyinthemiddle · Sep 9, 2009, 08:16 PM

Yes, I noticed

MITM_Fan · Sep 20, 2009, 08:29 AM

10 days left.

Is it going to stream online somewhere in HD ?

Ryebeach · Sep 20, 2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MITM_Fan

10 days left.

Is it going to stream online somewhere in HD ?

I can't find anything official one way or the other, but my best guess is each episode will be viewable on ABC's official site the day after it initially airs. The only potential issue would be licensing it for online streaming as it's not owned by the ABC network. Warner Brothers Television owns the show and I know there are some shows Warner Bros. don't allow the networks to stream on their websites.

PBUNDY · Sep 30, 2009, 10:50 PM

Did anyone else catch the premiere of 'The Middle'? I watched it and was very disappointed. It's trying so hard to be Malcolm in the Middle, but it's not even in the same league. The humor feels forced, where on 'Malcolm' it was all so natural. The youngest son looks like a creepy, ugly version of Dewey and the mom even has the exact same hairstyle as Lois.

tedwilder · Oct 1, 2009, 05:25 AM

Hello,
I just watched the pilot of " The middle ". Thats about 3 kids and parents. same kind of show as Malcom's in the middle. the mum is a lot like lois and the little boy is some kind of a freak like dewey. Just take a look. you might get it here : http://www.mininova.org/get/3004289