Is 'The Middle' Too "Unhip" To Win An Emmy??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-18-2012, 09:57 PM

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/th...ileen-heisler/

Mr. Television · 06-18-2012, 10:04 PM

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

hno:

icecream · 06-18-2012, 11:00 PM

Emmy voters are too snobbish to recognize The Middle.

catlover79 · 06-18-2012, 11:19 PM

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?

TryN2BGood · 07-13-2012, 09:21 AM

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

catlover79 · 07-18-2012, 11:46 PM

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

EmoJoe · 07-25-2012, 03:03 AM

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.

catlover79 · 07-29-2012, 10:45 PM

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

Sunshine Cab · 10-21-2016, 12:13 PM

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.

Schmoopie · 10-24-2016, 06:36 PM

Absolutely not! It totally deserves one!

Katinah123 · 02-11-2017, 05:18 PM

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.

tlc38tlc38 · 02-11-2017, 05:25 PM

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.

Katinah123 · 02-13-2017, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlc38tlc38

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

Congratulations. You have your wish.

king of comedy · 02-13-2017, 06:58 PM

Shame that it will never get one.

Katinah123 · 02-15-2017, 05:18 PM

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.

06-18-2012, 09:57 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Is 'The Middle' Too "Unhip" To Win An Emmy??? 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/th...ileen-heisler/
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06-18-2012, 10:04 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	Yep. I totally agree. I like Modern Family but The Middle is just as good. It just gets no respect. hno:
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06-18-2012, 11:00 PM	#3
icecream Cat-tastic and Whiskerlicious Forum Celebrity Join Date: Sep 01, 2006 Location: The Catacombs Posts: 20,632	Emmy voters are too snobbish to recognize The Middle.
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06-18-2012, 11:19 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	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?
	__________________ "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

07-25-2012, 03:03 AM	#7
EmoJoe Cool cool cool Forum Addict Join Date: Apr 23, 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 71,478	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.
	__________________ "I know the difference between TV and reality, Jeff. TV has structure, it makes sense, there are likable leading men. In real life, we have this. We have you." - Abed Nadir, Community www.sitcomsarestupid.blogspot.com

07-13-2012, 09:21 AM	#5
TryN2BGood Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Nov 10, 2003 Location: USA Posts: 260	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

07-18-2012, 11:46 PM	#6
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I agree!! It definitely does not get the credit it deserves!!

07-29-2012, 10:45 PM	#8
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Agreed - though I never got the appeal of Modern Family.

10-21-2016, 12:13 PM	#9
Sunshine Cab Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 20, 2016 Posts: 105	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.

10-24-2016, 06:36 PM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Absolutely not! It totally deserves one!

02-11-2017, 05:18 PM	#11
Katinah123 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2017 Posts: 47	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.

02-11-2017, 05:25 PM	#12
tlc38tlc38 Every day’s a Dolly day! Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Location: I’m just travelin’ thru Posts: 19,257	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.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

02-13-2017, 06:58 PM	#14
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Shame that it will never get one.

02-15-2017, 05:18 PM	#15
Katinah123 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 03, 2017 Posts: 47	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.