The Middle (ABC)

THE MIDDLE is a sitcom that centers on the hectic life of Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton), a middle-aged mom of three who lives with her husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), in the fictional Midwest town of Orson, Indiana. A mostly unsuccessful car salesperson who’s apt to belabor her customers with her personal woes, Frankie is a devoted mom and wife who nonetheless struggles to balance the daily disasters of the household and their kids, Axl (Charlie McDermott), Sue (Eden Shur), and Brick (Atticus Shaffer). Somewhere between unraveling Brick’s social ineptitude, bolstering Sue’s confidence, steering moody Axl to a promising future, and finding time for Mike, Frankie finds that the joys of life exist not in the uncommon highs, but in the middle of all the chaos.

THE MIDDLE is a charmingly honest day-in-the-life glimpse at the struggles and joys of a "typical" working-class American family. Frankie and Mike aren't without their flaws, and their trial-and-error approach to raising their kids will garner chuckles, but their unwavering devotion to each other and to their family is inspiring. The show has a certain Roseanne-like quality whose message seems to be that true happiness is often found in redefining what it means to be perfect. 

The show’s excellent cast -- led by Emmy winner Heaton and joined by Saturday Night Live funny man Chris Kattan as her work buddy, Bob -- delivers plenty of laughs, and parents and their teens will find some some family-related issues that are worth discussing after the show’s end. There’s enough language, social drinking (casual, by adults, that is), and sexual references to ensure it’s not for young kids, but if you’re looking for a more grown-up comedy to share with your teens, The Middle fits the bill, and it even offers some heartwarming messages about finding the joys of being, well, average.