Parents' Guide to

The Middle

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Funny look at average family is OK for older tweens and up.

TV ABC Comedy 2009
The Middle Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

age 11+

Based on 37 parent reviews

age 5+

CSM blows it up again

12+? I let my eight year old son watch it at four. There is literally almost nothing unwholesome about it. I can't believe they included a comment on "name-calling". Sounds like a six-year old child tattling to a teacher. This show has many positive messages such as working things out as a family. They almost never swear. You, the parent reading this review swear more around your child than they do. This show has better messages and role-models than any show on Disney Channel. Bottom line, don't listen to CSM and enjoy this wholesome family comedy.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
3 people found this helpful.
age 10+

Really great show that keeps you watching

This show is amazing and super realistic as to what it’s like to live in a lower middle class family. the only reason to not let any kid watch is just the occasional use of hell or damn and the fact that they wouldn’t understand the humor. They really keep you rooting for the heck’s and teach good life lessons about family.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (37):
Kids say (128):

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.

TV Details

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