ABC Aims to Put Heaton in "The Middle" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 07-24-2008, 01:22 AM

Link

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC is eyeing Patricia Heaton for the lead in "The Middle," a quirky single-camera comedy.

Written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, "Middle" tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family seen through the eyes of the mother. During the 2006-07 development cycle, it was picked up as a pilot starring Ricki Lake but narrowly missed the cut for a series order.

Now ABC is said to have given the project a new cast-contingent pilot order, possibly tied to landing Heaton as the lead.

Picking up a pilot contingent on a specific actor is rare but not unprecedented. Five years ago, CBS picked up the pilot for "Two and a Half Men" contingent on the producers securing Charlie Sheen.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Ireneparalegal · 07-24-2008, 01:26 AM

Sounds like good news for Patty.

JulieSomoski · 07-24-2008, 01:41 PM

Are you kidding? ABC is gonna be the Back to You graveyard next season - they already have Kelsey Grammar, Ayda Field, and Ty Burrel starring in pilots, and now they want Patricia Heaton? While that's great news, why couldn't they have just picked up Back to You??-LOL

catlover79 · 07-24-2008, 01:47 PM

^ So true.

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-24-2008, 02:00 PM

this is good news for Patty

ryan423 · 07-24-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Are you kidding? ABC is gonna be the Back to You graveyard next season - they already have Kelsey Grammar, Ayda Field, and Ty Burrel starring in pilots, and now they want Patricia Heaton? While that's great news, why couldn't they have just picked up Back to You??-LOL

AGREED!

Either way, I'll check out all the shows, thats if, they make it past the pilot:P

Brian Damage · 07-24-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Are you kidding? ABC is gonna be the Back to You graveyard next season - they already have Kelsey Grammar, Ayda Field, and Ty Burrel starring in pilots, and now they want Patricia Heaton? While that's great news, why couldn't they have just picked up Back to You??-LOL

So f-ing true!

JulieSomoski · 07-24-2008, 07:39 PM

I'd laugh my ass of if tomorrow we heard ABC is giving Fred Willard and Josh Gad a show. Just throw one of the Gracie's in there and we'd have the NEW Back to You

Brian Damage · 07-24-2008, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

I'd laugh my ass of if tomorrow we heard ABC is giving Fred Willard and Josh Gad a show. Just throw one of the Gracie's in there and we'd have the NEW Back to You

Nobody can convince me that ABC wasn't interested in BTY at some point. As for the Gracie's, Laura Marano is on a sitcom for CBS. Lily Jackson is still available though.

JulieSomoski · 07-24-2008, 08:19 PM

Maybe they'll snatch up Laura Morano before someone else does

To me, it would have made a whole lot more sense for ABC to just pick up Back to You instead picking up its actors one by one - and I'm sure they were interested in it at some point.

Brian Damage · 07-24-2008, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Maybe they'll snatch up Laura Morano before someone else does

To me, it would have made a whole lot more sense for ABC to just pick up Back to You instead picking up its actors one by one - and I'm sure they were interested in it at some point.

Exactly, with that said, I really hope that Patty's pilot makes the cut, the same for Kelsey's new show.

JulieSomoski · 07-24-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Exactly, with that said, I really hope that Patty's pilot makes the cut, the same for Kelsey's new show.

Same goes for Ty Burrell's and Ayda Field's new pilot. I'd love to see a block of all 3 shows at one point.

Brian Damage · 07-24-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

Same goes for Ty Burrell's and Ayda Field's new pilot. I'd love to see a block of all 3 shows at one point.

On the SAME night, it could be a Back To You Alum block!

JulieSomoski · 07-24-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

On the SAME night, it could be a Back To You Alum block!

They should call it that too - "It's Back to You, just without Back to You!"

Brian Damage · 07-24-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JulieSomoski

They should call it that too - "It's Back to You, just without Back to You!"

07-24-2008, 01:22 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,563	ABC Aims to Put Heaton in "The Middle" Link LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC is eyeing Patricia Heaton for the lead in "The Middle," a quirky single-camera comedy. Written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, "Middle" tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family seen through the eyes of the mother. During the 2006-07 development cycle, it was picked up as a pilot starring Ricki Lake but narrowly missed the cut for a series order. Now ABC is said to have given the project a new cast-contingent pilot order, possibly tied to landing Heaton as the lead. Picking up a pilot contingent on a specific actor is rare but not unprecedented. Five years ago, CBS picked up the pilot for "Two and a Half Men" contingent on the producers securing Charlie Sheen. Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

07-24-2008, 01:26 AM	#2
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Sounds like good news for Patty.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

07-24-2008, 01:41 PM	#3
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Are you kidding? ABC is gonna be the Back to You graveyard next season - they already have Kelsey Grammar, Ayda Field, and Ty Burrel starring in pilots, and now they want Patricia Heaton? While that's great news, why couldn't they have just picked up Back to You??-LOL
	__________________ Click here to view some great articles written by my husband and I! All views are appreciated! Watch: Medium, Fridays at 9pm, on CBS! Big Bang Theory, Mondays at 9:30pm, on CBS! The Mentalist, Thursdays at 10pm, on CBS! Old Christine, Wednesdays at 8pm, on CBS! ABC's Comedy Lineup, Starting Wednesdays at 8:30pm, on ABC!

07-24-2008, 01:47 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,396	^ So true.
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-24-2008, 02:00 PM	#5
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,658	this is good news for Patty
	__________________ Who Dat

07-24-2008, 07:39 PM	#8
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	I'd laugh my ass of if tomorrow we heard ABC is giving Fred Willard and Josh Gad a show. Just throw one of the Gracie's in there and we'd have the NEW Back to You

07-24-2008, 08:19 PM	#10
JulieSomoski Roseanne Reboot - March 27! Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 06, 2004 Location: Michigan Posts: 7,558	Maybe they'll snatch up Laura Morano before someone else does To me, it would have made a whole lot more sense for ABC to just pick up Back to You instead picking up its actors one by one - and I'm sure they were interested in it at some point.