Despite a bevy of critical love in the course of its first three seasons, Emmys have eluded The Middle. Why? We’re not entirely sure. But Eileen Heisler, co-creator of ABC’s quiet comedic gem, has an idea or two. Atop her list? Ironically, the show is sort of stuck in, well, the middle. “We had a line in the beginning of our pilot that was, ‘Yeah, we’re in the middle — the place you fly over on your way to somewhere else,’ and I think that sometimes that happens to our show, too,” she says with a laugh.

The so-called destination, in this case, is of course that other ABC comedy, Modern Family — which, with six Emmy statues, is dripping in award riches. Not that buzz is undeserved; quite the opposite, in fact. If anything, it simply makes it hard to shine, says Heisler. “I think that we’ve always been in the shadow of Modern Family, which we have to be thankful for because it made it a night that gets attention,” she says. “I think there are still some people who are simply not aware of it and not aware that there’s more than one great family show on Wednesday night…But I think there’s also something, maybe, unsexy about [The Middle] and its description — until they watch it. I think there’s always a bit of a bias against something that’s perceived as less hip.”

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/06/18/the-middle-emmys-eileen-heisler/

http://img2.timeinc.net/ew/i/2012/06/14/THE-MIDDLE_320.jpg

Yep. I totally agree. I like Modern Family but The Middle is just as good. It just gets no respect. :ohno:

Emmy voters are too snobbish to recognize The Middle.

You're both totally right!!! Modern Family gets treated like champagne and The Middle is treated like beer. More people drink beer but are not considered "elite". Am I making any sense? :crazy:

WOW first off let me say I haven't logged in since 10/2010! I can't believe it has been that long.

I LOVE The Middle! It is one if not the best sitcoms on tv today :clap:

I agree!! It definitely does not get the credit it deserves!!

The Middle > Modern Family. The Middle has steadily gotten better while Modern Family has steadily gotten worse, and we've finally reached the point where The Middle has overtaken MF.

Agreed - though I never got the appeal of Modern Family.

The Middle has remained fresh while Modern Family has run out of steam.

Both great shows but the struggling Heck family seems to have genuine, realistic problems while the privileged Modern Family members struggle to have something new to whine about each week.

Absolutely not! It totally deserves one!

The Middle will never win an Emmy now or even be nominated for one. With almost 8 seasons under its belt, the show is considered a dinosaur and unworthy of Emmy love. Part of that is the writers' refusal to let the characters grow and develop. They've kept all of them (except Brick, who's the only one to physically change) pretty much the same. Axl is a narcissistic jerk; Sue's optimistic and willing to try anything, and Brick is just odd and well, odd. Frankie went from being a harried housewife to someone who lies and cheats and even steals, without any problem. She's atrocious. And Mike is just Mike. He's shown a smidgen of development, but outside of his hair getting grayer, the changes aren't very evident.

Besides, with the plethora of shows from cable, pay-per-view and streaming available, a broadcast sitcom better shine. That's why Blackish and Modern Family get Emmy love for ABC. They're controversial and "different." The Middle isn't any of that.

The Emmys (and award shows in general) are an absolute joke who only cater to the filth of Hollywood.

I'd actually consider it an honor to NOT be nominated or to win an Emmy.

I'd actually consider it an honor to NOT be nominated or to win an Emmy.

Congratulations. You have your wish. :lol:

Shame that it will never get one.

The Middle lost its chance after the third season. It's just a warhorse now, right up there with Family Matters and According to Jim.

The Emmys (and award shows in general) are an absolute joke who only cater to the filth of Hollywood.

That's right!

Just say the second letter of the alphabet before "Emmys" and the result will be far more accurate!

The Middle lost its chance after the third season. It's just a warhorse now, right up there with Family Matters and According to Jim.Not even close. The Middle is better than both of those shows combined.

Emmy voters are a bunch of elitist snobs. The Middle is 200 times better than good for nothing shows like Modern Family and Blackish.

The Middle lost its chance after the third season. It's just a warhorse now, right up there with Family Matters and According to Jim.
I never saw According to Jim but I want to forget Family Matters and The Middle is way better than those 2.

Yep. I totally agree. I like Modern Family but The Middle is just as good. It just gets no respect. :ohno:

One reason why The Middle is often considered "unsung" is likely because it came around the same time as Modern Family. Also, most sitcoms these days are either about small business owners doing funny things with their business or else young, soon-to-be successful professionals doing things.

Before Roseanne came back on the air, The Middle was really the closet thing to a modern equivalent. Both shows are about a blue collar, middle class family living just above paycheck to paycheck. Maybe Mom (and to a certain extent, Speechless) is the only other contemporary sitcom that features lower-middle class people in a semi-serious fashion.

Here is some very recent WONDERFUL NEWS :

"THE MIDDLE" has been nominated in the category of BEST COMEDY SERIES
by the Broadcast TV Journalists Association who give out THE CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS
for both movies and television in cooperation with The Broadcast Film Critics Association.

The full list of NOMINEES are :

ATLANTA ( FX )
BARRY ( HBO )
THE GOOD PLACE ( NBC )
THE KOMINSKY METHOD ( Netflix )
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL ( Amazon )
THE MIDDLE ( ABC )
ONE DAY AT A TIME ( Netflix )
SCHITT'S CREEK ( POP )