As part of my summer television series binge watching, I turned to “The Middle.” “The Middle” has aired on ABC since the fall of 2009. As its name implies, it is about a middle class family, with middle-aged parents, living in the middle of America. At first, the show seemed destined to attract viewers primarily because the lead actress is Patricia Heaton of “Everybody Loves Raymond fame.” As it turned out, however, “The Middle” has so much more to offer than a familiar face. There are undoubtedly many reasons “The Middle” has been a success. This is why the show is on the top of my list.

1. It is a sitcom like no other. Sitcoms are a dime a dozen, and sitcoms that explore family life are even more commonplace. The problem tends to be that they are often devoid of any sense of reality. They are sugarcoated, happily ever after views of daily existence. To say that “The Middle” does not fit into this category is a great understatement. “The Middle” is not afraid to tell it like it really is, even when the truth might make us all a bit uncomfortable. The Hecks struggle financially, Mike and Frankie screw up as parents, and the kids can often be the epitome of selfishness. But hey, that’s real life.
2. The acting is top-notch. In addition to Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn, who plays Mike Heck and has a background of live theater, television and film, the actors and actresses who play the Heck children are equally talented. Charlie McDermott shines as the quintessential teenage son, Axl, while Eden Sher plays Sue, the almost nauseatingly cheerful daughter. Perhaps best of all is Atticus Shaffer, who has perfected the role of Brick, the youngest son who can only be described as adoringly eccentric.
3. There is humor in the face of difficulty. When life throws the Hecks curveballs, they keep on keeping on, with laughter to help them along. This became clear at the very start of the show. In season one, the Hecks are strapped with bills and grateful that they have a roof over their heads. When the clothes dryer dies, Frankie is brought to the breaking point. She rants and raves, overwhelmed by her need to keep the family afloat. Things go from bad to worse as a tornado strikes, but lo and behold as the family steps outside after the storm, they find that a brand new dryer has landed on their front lawn.
4. They have each other’s backs. The Heck siblings are not always kind to one another. Axl tortures Sue for her un-coolness. Sue mocks Axl for his lack of academic motivation. And they both lose their patience with Brick’s odd behavior, such as his habit of whispering to himself. But when push comes to shove, these teenagers reveal their love for one another. In season 3, Sue begins high school and her arrival to class in a timely fashion is thwarted by a teenage couple who insists on having their morning make-out sessions right in front of her locker. At the end of the episode, Axl’s sweet side is revealed when, on the sly, he makes them disappear so that Sue can get to class on time.
5. The Heck parents are fallible. In fact, they often take the cake in terms of letting their kids down. But, it is undeniable that they love their children and will do everything in their power to keep them happy. In the end, when you see how much they care deep down inside, you can forgive them for naming their middle child Sue Sue Heck and forgetting for years to fix this mistake, or for finally remembering Brick’s thirteenth birthday three months after the fact.