Home > The Middle > Season 8 « TV Series Page The Middle: Season 8 (2016 - 2017) SEASON: Season 8 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Season 7 Season 8 Season 9 Want to see Episode List Season 8 The Middle Critics Consensus No consensus yet. Not enough ratings to calculate a score. TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 0 95% Audience Score User Ratings: 51 More Info × Close Submit review Want to see Submit review Super Reviewer Super Reviewer Tap to review this movie Review this tv season Edit Review Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 The Core Group Air date: Oct 11, 2016 In the eighth-season premiere, Frankie and Mike meet Axl's new girlfriend, who has a quirky personality trait. Meanwhile, Sue wants to change her major to theater after her summer spent at Dollywood; and Brick begins high school with a mission to change his image from weirdo to cool kid. More 2 A Tough Pill to Swallow Air date: Oct 18, 2016 Sue's kicked out of college after forgetting to renew her financial aid, prompting Mike to visit the bursar. Meanwhile, Frankie struggles to teach Brick how to swallow a pill; and Hutch gets angry at Axl for taking the Winnebago without permission to visit his new girlfriend. More 3 Halloween VII: The Heckoning Air date: Oct 25, 2016 Halloween looms near, as Frankie's surprised to hear the kids would rather live with Mike if they ever got a divorce. Meanwhile, Sue attempts to reclaim her bedroom from Brick; and Axl lashes out on his family after having to act nice around April. More 4 True Grit Air date: Nov 1, 2016 Sue asks Axl for advice on how to break up with Jeremy; and Brick shows his school spirit in hopes of fitting in, but Troy steals the spotlight when he's drafted by the football team. Elsewhere, Frankie accidentally buys herself racy underwear. More 5 Roadkill Air date: Nov 15, 2016 Frankie and Mike realize it's Brick's 15th birthday and time for their youngest to learn to drive, but Brick ends up running down an Orson landmark when Axl lets him drive the Winnebago. Meanwhile, Sue tries to choose a college major before the deadline and learns a shocking secret from Frankie along the way. More 6 Thanksgiving VIII Air date: Nov 22, 2016 Frankie goes to great lengths to keep April out of the family's Christmas photo and must rearrange Thanksgiving dinner after learning Axl is attending April's holiday festivities that day. Elsewhere, Sue finds out her new Spudsy's co-worker is Brick. More 7 Look Who's Not Talking Air date: Nov 29, 2016 Frankie's devastated that Axl refuses to speak to her after she revealed her distaste for April, but she's excited to discover a discount store that sells oddly-shaped produce. Meanwhile, Brick develops a new tick that lands him in detention; and Brad visits Sue at college. More 8 Trip and Fall Air date: Dec 6, 2016 Rita Glossner convinces Frankie to go on a road trip to an unknown destination; and Mike takes an embarrassing fall at the quarry that leads OSHA to investigate. Meanwhile, Sue pleads with Axl to end his estrangement from the family. More 9 A Very Marry Christmas Air date: Dec 13, 2016 Christmas looms, as Sue keeps a secret from the family. Meanwhile, Brick must hide from the neighbor's kids after he proves himself to be a fun playmate; and Mike's unsure how to react when Bill Norwood gives him a Christmas present for the first time ever. More 10 Escape Orson Air date: Jan 3, 2017 The Hecks spend New Year's Day in Orson's escape room, where various secrets are revealed, including one Sue's been keeping since childhood and Frankie's romantic dream about Frank Sinatra. More Show More Episodes The Middle: Season 8 Photos View All Photos (110) Tv Season Info The Hecks – Mike (Neil Flynn) and Frankie (Patricia Heaton) – face the inevitability of an empty nest, with their daughter Sue (Eden Sher) and son Axl (Charlie McDermott) in college and out of the house and their younger son Brick (Atticus Shaffer) in high school. A family crisis occurs when Axl gets involved with a not-too-bright girl named April (Greer Grammer). Because of his quirks, Brick finds high school life a challenge and struggles to maintain his relationship with Cindy (Casey Burke). Rounding out the cast of "The Middle" are Alphonso McAuley as Hutch, Tommy Bechtold as Kenny, Daniela Bobadilla as Lexie, Jovan Armand as Troy, Sean O'Bryan and Jen Ray as Ron and Nancy Donahue, and Pat Finn and Julie Brown as Bill and Paula Norwood. Brooke Shields, Dave Foley, Norm Macdonald, John Cullum, and Emily Rutherfurd return for guest appearances. Genre: Comedy Network: ABC Premiere Date: Oct 11, 2016 Creators: Eileen Heisler, DeAnn Heline Cast Patricia Heaton as Frankie Heck Neil Flynn as Mike Heck Eden Sher as Sue Heck Atticus Shaffer as Brick Heck Charlie McDermott as Axl Heck Daniela Bobadilla as Lexie Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue Casey Burke as Cindy Alphonso McAuley as Hutch Greer Grammer as April Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig Pat Finn as Bill Norwood Tommy Bechtold as Kenny Will Green as Jeremy Jovan Armand as Troy Malcolm Foster Smith as Dave Troy Metcalf as Jim Sean O'Bryan as Ron Donahue Paul Hipp as Reverend TimTom Keaton Savage as Tyler Reagan Rundus as Gracie Beau Hart as Riley Greg Cipes as Chuck O'Neill Monahan as Lucas Gia Mantegna as Devin Levin Ezra Buzzington as Wayne Aaron Hill as Dan Kayla Madison as Shelly Donahue Laura Ann Kesling as Dotty Donahue Dan O'Connor as Professor Kepley Norm Macdonald as Rusty Heck Jack McBrayer as Dr. Goodwin Brooke Dillman as Tink Babbitt Dave Foley as Dr. Fulton Emily Rutherford as Dierdre Peterson Brooke Shields as Rita Glossner Ty Chen as Scott Chase Kim as Corporate Guy #1 Robert Michael Morris as Stan Hoister Jonathan Palmer as Rob John Cullum as Big Mike Jimmy Bellinger as Edwin Nancy Donahue as Jen Ray Alan Rachins as Mort Jelena Nik as Rowdy Miriam Flynn as Female clerk Richard Riehle as Sheriff Dugan Jamie Kaler as Hudson Carlease Burke as Ms. Teegarden Michael A. Shepperd as Coach David Chandler as Derrick Glossner Josh Duvendeck as Liam Chasen Banks as Dylan Barry Livingston as Milt Emily Rutherfurd as Deidre Peterson Monica Horan as Anna Ferguson Matt Cornett as Duncan Crystal Shannon as Freshman Girl Gibson Bobby Sjobeck as Diaper Glossner Ben Seaward as Roger Liam Cronin as Chase Galadriel Stineman as Cassidy John Omohundro as College Student Michelle LaRue as Cashier Karen Malina White as Mrs. Roberts Cooper Roth as Gibson Trent Garrett as Chester David L. King as Professor Ashley Rae Spillers as Hannah Theo Taplitz as Judah Jessie Sherman as Julia Ted Stavros as Freshman Boy Ericka Kreutz as Sharron Kevin Thomas Mitchell as Blake Ferguson Rob Mainord as Recruiter 1 Katlin Mastandrea as Weird Ashley Alanna Fox as Danna Gary Ballard as Janitor Mat Botuchis as Chris Cheyenne Wilbur as Ed Isaac Faulkner as Psycho Michael Coleman as David Jack Impellizzeri as Random Guy Mike Ostroski as Charlie Ferguson Martha Thatcher as Girl Matthew Downs as Coach Brian Howe as Tom Hanson Galen Howard as Man Liz Eldridge as Recruiter 2 Beth Triffon as Marcy Holly Pitrago as Paige Christopher Gerse as Pizza Guy Austin Michael Coleman as Player Helen Slayton-Hughes as Eleanor Frank Gallegos as Man Eben Ham as Recruiter 3 Jared Wernick as Indian Harry Styles Austin Levenson as Freshman 1 Will Collyer as Landis Kurt Collins as Rodney Glossner Sydney Sweeney as Female Student 1 Jason Williams as Paramedic 1 Amir Aboulela as NYU Acting Teacher Mary Gillis as Esther Dierk Torsek as Reverend Hayver Nathaniel Stroud as Freshman 2 Ethan Disalvio as Kevin Tabitha Brownstone as Female Student 2 Hunter Daily as Vanessa Teagan Rose as Trish Pedro Correa as Todd Andy Taylor Kim as Student David Kloehr as Male Student 1 Adwin Brown as Joel Fayelyn Bilodeau as Female student Neil Rodriguez as Paramedic 2 Chiquita Fuller as Ms. Prescott Amir Levi as Bryan Jamaal Hepburn as Guy 1 Michael Chambers as Olson Kelly Lamor Wilson as Girl in line Xavier Avila as Male Student 2 Jennie Fahn as Agatha Kai Schulz as Guy 2 Ryan David Tsang as Male student #1 Jon Curry as Corporate Guy #2 Christine Garver as Colleen Joachim Powell as Scout 1 Al Coronel as Cop #1 John Duffy as Male student #2 Chet Lewis as Scout 2 James T. Williams II as Cop #2 Show More Cast News & Interviews for The Middle: Season 8 2016 Fall TV Premiere Dates View All The Middle: Season 8 News Episodes 1 The Core Group Air date: Oct 11, 2016 In the eighth-season premiere, Frankie and Mike meet Axl's new girlfriend, who has a quirky personality trait. Meanwhile, Sue wants to change her major to theater after her summer spent at Dollywood; and Brick begins high school with a mission to change his image from weirdo to cool kid. More 2 A Tough Pill to Swallow Air date: Oct 18, 2016 Sue's kicked out of college after forgetting to renew her financial aid, prompting Mike to visit the bursar. Meanwhile, Frankie struggles to teach Brick how to swallow a pill; and Hutch gets angry at Axl for taking the Winnebago without permission to visit his new girlfriend. More 3 Halloween VII: The Heckoning Air date: Oct 25, 2016 Halloween looms near, as Frankie's surprised to hear the kids would rather live with Mike if they ever got a divorce. Meanwhile, Sue attempts to reclaim her bedroom from Brick; and Axl lashes out on his family after having to act nice around April. More 4 True Grit Air date: Nov 1, 2016 Sue asks Axl for advice on how to break up with Jeremy; and Brick shows his school spirit in hopes of fitting in, but Troy steals the spotlight when he's drafted by the football team. Elsewhere, Frankie accidentally buys herself racy underwear. More 5 Roadkill Air date: Nov 15, 2016 Frankie and Mike realize it's Brick's 15th birthday and time for their youngest to learn to drive, but Brick ends up running down an Orson landmark when Axl lets him drive the Winnebago. Meanwhile, Sue tries to choose a college major before the deadline and learns a shocking secret from Frankie along the way. More 6 Thanksgiving VIII Air date: Nov 22, 2016 Frankie goes to great lengths to keep April out of the family's Christmas photo and must rearrange Thanksgiving dinner after learning Axl is attending April's holiday festivities that day. Elsewhere, Sue finds out her new Spudsy's co-worker is Brick. More 7 Look Who's Not Talking Air date: Nov 29, 2016 Frankie's devastated that Axl refuses to speak to her after she revealed her distaste for April, but she's excited to discover a discount store that sells oddly-shaped produce. Meanwhile, Brick develops a new tick that lands him in detention; and Brad visits Sue at college. More 8 Trip and Fall Air date: Dec 6, 2016 Rita Glossner convinces Frankie to go on a road trip to an unknown destination; and Mike takes an embarrassing fall at the quarry that leads OSHA to investigate. Meanwhile, Sue pleads with Axl to end his estrangement from the family. More 9 A Very Marry Christmas Air date: Dec 13, 2016 Christmas looms, as Sue keeps a secret from the family. Meanwhile, Brick must hide from the neighbor's kids after he proves himself to be a fun playmate; and Mike's unsure how to react when Bill Norwood gives him a Christmas present for the first time ever. More 10 Escape Orson Air date: Jan 3, 2017 The Hecks spend New Year's Day in Orson's escape room, where various secrets are revealed, including one Sue's been keeping since childhood and Frankie's romantic dream about Frank Sinatra. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for The Middle: Season 8 There are no critic reviews yet for Season 8. Keep checking Rotten Tomatoes for updates! Audience Reviews for The Middle: Season 8 Oct 22, 2017 This show has just continued to stay funny even after these fantastic 8 seasons. Noah M Jul 09, 2017 This goes to show that even after this much time on the air, The Middle remains to be intriguing, fresh, and witty. The characters have developed positively, however have not lost their spark that made the series enjoyable in the first place. The Middle is a strong and consistent comedy, and probably deserves a lot more recognition than it receives. Joseph T Mar 20, 2017 My family and I love this show! The family is so relatable and the cast couldnt go better together. This is a must watch show every week! Kristin B Mar 01, 2017 love, this show, its our family's favorite. please bring back a season 9 Toni K Feb 22, 2017 The Middle was never a super hit for ABC...it never topped the charts like Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory but it always seems to deliver at least a few hearty laughs each week. The cast has always been top notch yet ignored mostly by Emmy voters.... Yet this show continues to chug along each year on ABC currently renewed for a 9th season come this September..... It is definitely an above average sitcom. What is special about this season is that the characters, who critics could say were one dimensional, are finally morphing into well rounded humans.... Especially Sue the Heck daughter. Sue is starting to see life as it really is..... she is shedding the Pollyanna ideals - yet slowly.... Sue is finally thinking outside of the box without help from others.... Brick the youngest son who has always been "strange" is starting to come into his own. Where as his family was always there to protect him and make excuses, Brick is finally emerging as "this is me and I do not care if you like me or if it makes me popular" .... He is accepting his "oddness" and others will too. Eldest son Axel has finally also realized Mom and Dad will not be there to clean up my messes anymore... A recent episode where he realizes he is graduating and needs a REAL JOB if he ever wants to achieve success or happiness hit him like a ton of bricks.... As the kids age and mature with dating and learning how to be adults the parents Frankie and Mike are left to deal with their children growing up as well with the impending "empty nest syndrome" ... A recent episode featured a baby and it appeared the writers were setting us up for a late in life pregnancy for Frankie-However in my opionion that would be the "jump the shark" moment.... the fact that Frankie and Mike thought it would be nice to once again have a baby around we think they realized that waiting a few more years to have grand children may be the most practical response..... Overall I will say kudos to this cast ....not many family sitcoms last this long. Even Roseanne stumbled in its last few seasons as cast left the show or we were delivered crazy story lines....The Middle is a gem and congratulations on an early Season 9 renewal.... 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