ABC Renews The Middle For an 8th Season - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVSCREEN2015 · 03-03-2016, 07:56 PM

Quote:

“The Middle” has also been renewed for Season 8. Another strong, long-running family comedy for ABC, the laffer stars Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher and Atticus Shaffer. Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heiline created the series.

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/abc-...gs-1201721897/

James28 · 04-23-2016, 02:02 AM

I suspect that The Middle being renewed for an eighth season was because of The Muppets ending up a ratings and viewership failure and is certain to be cancelled after this season.

Going into the current 2015-16 TV season, I was actually expecting The Muppets to be a success in the ratings, and even be the ABC Network's new flagship comedy, but in reality, it was not to be.

There has been a suggestion going around that The Middle may be moved to Tuesdays for next season, in either the 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM timeslots, with The Goldbergs moving up to Wednesdays at 9:00 PM. There is one problem with this, however. I think The Middle may end its original run with season 8, because I doubt that it will have a longer original run than Modern Family. I wouldn't want to move an established comedy series that had occupied just one timeslot for its entire run to another night for only a final season, because I think a move to another night for such an established TV show will usually mean a commitment for more than just one more season.

We'll find out if a move for The Middle to Tuesdays for the 2016-17 season will become reality at ABC Network's upfronts next month.

liane60 · 04-23-2016, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James28

I suspect that The Middle being renewed for an eighth season was because of The Muppets ending up a ratings and viewership failure and is certain to be cancelled after this season.

Going into the current 2015-16 TV season, I was actually expecting The Muppets to be a success in the ratings, and even be the ABC Network's new flagship comedy, but in reality, it was not to be.

There has been a suggestion going around that The Middle may be moved to Tuesdays for next season, in either the 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM timeslots, with The Goldbergs moving up to Wednesdays at 9:00 PM. There is one problem with this, however. I think The Middle may end its original run with season 8, because I doubt that it will have a longer original run than Modern Family. I wouldn't want to move an established comedy series that had occupied just one timeslot for its entire run to another night for only a final season, because I think a move to another night for such an established TV show will usually mean a commitment for more than just one more season.

We'll find out if a move for The Middle to Tuesdays for the 2016-17 season will become reality at ABC Network's upfronts next month.

No keep things where they are. I'm glad the show is coming back because I really like it. Patricia almost didn't do the show until she read the script.

James28 · 05-20-2016, 08:32 AM

ABC Network unveiled their fall schedule last Tuesday (May 17), and it is confirmed that The Middle will indeed be moving to Tuesdays at 8 pm for its eighth season, where it will anchor an expanded Tuesday comedy block, with Fresh Off the Boat and The Real O'Neals and the new show American Housewife. The creation of this expanded comedy block will result in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. being bumped to 10 pm, and The Goldbergs being moved up to the Wednesdays at 8 pm timeslot.

I think this move comes irrespective of The Middle finishing its original run after its season 8.

Chocolate Moose · 05-20-2016, 10:20 AM

I wonder what the writers have in store for the characters. Brick is in high school now, that should be a challenge!

DJM77 · 05-20-2016, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Moose

I wonder what the writers have in store for the characters. Brick is in high school now, that should be a challenge!

I think the season finale kind of vaguely implied that Axl is going to have a new love interest.

Yeah, Brick doesn't look like someone who is old enough to be in high school, but Atticus Shaffer (the actor who plays him) will be 18 by next season.

Edison · 05-20-2016, 12:49 PM

I hope it keeps going just for the Heck of it. It's been wonderful knowing this family.

DJM77 · 05-20-2016, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edison

I hope it keeps going just for the Heck of it.

I see what you did there.

James28 · 05-31-2016, 10:04 PM

If The Middle does not end after its 8th season, then do you see it running for the exact same number of seasons as fellow ABC single-camera comedy Modern Family so that they can eventually bow out together? Like, say, after their 10th seasons? What does anyone think of that scenario?

icecream · 05-31-2016, 10:20 PM

I would like 10 seasons as it would then outlast Everybody Loves Raymond.

04-23-2016, 02:02 AM	#2
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,967	I suspect that The Middle being renewed for an eighth season was because of The Muppets ending up a ratings and viewership failure and is certain to be cancelled after this season. Going into the current 2015-16 TV season, I was actually expecting The Muppets to be a success in the ratings, and even be the ABC Network's new flagship comedy, but in reality, it was not to be. There has been a suggestion going around that The Middle may be moved to Tuesdays for next season, in either the 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM timeslots, with The Goldbergs moving up to Wednesdays at 9:00 PM. There is one problem with this, however. I think The Middle may end its original run with season 8, because I doubt that it will have a longer original run than Modern Family. I wouldn't want to move an established comedy series that had occupied just one timeslot for its entire run to another night for only a final season, because I think a move to another night for such an established TV show will usually mean a commitment for more than just one more season. We'll find out if a move for The Middle to Tuesdays for the 2016-17 season will become reality at ABC Network's upfronts next month.
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

05-20-2016, 10:20 AM	#5
Chocolate Moose Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 21, 2007 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 4,881	I wonder what the writers have in store for the characters. Brick is in high school now, that should be a challenge!
	__________________ How long a minute is, depends on what side of the bathroom door you're on.

05-31-2016, 10:20 PM	#10
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,615	I would like 10 seasons as it would then outlast Everybody Loves Raymond.
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05-20-2016, 08:32 AM	#4
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,967	ABC Network unveiled their fall schedule last Tuesday (May 17), and it is confirmed that The Middle will indeed be moving to Tuesdays at 8 pm for its eighth season, where it will anchor an expanded Tuesday comedy block, with Fresh Off the Boat and The Real O'Neals and the new show American Housewife. The creation of this expanded comedy block will result in Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. being bumped to 10 pm, and The Goldbergs being moved up to the Wednesdays at 8 pm timeslot. I think this move comes irrespective of The Middle finishing its original run after its season 8.

05-20-2016, 12:49 PM	#7
Edison Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 2,430	I hope it keeps going just for the Heck of it. It's been wonderful knowing this family.

05-31-2016, 10:04 PM	#9
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,967	If The Middle does not end after its 8th season, then do you see it running for the exact same number of seasons as fellow ABC single-camera comedy Modern Family so that they can eventually bow out together? Like, say, after their 10th seasons? What does anyone think of that scenario?