A star from The Middle sitcom Eden Sher reveals her continued optimism that fans may someday get to see the unaired spinoff show and Frankie Muniz from Malcolm in The Middle balances his time between NASCAR and the sitcom reboot .
ABC network boasts a history of creating sitcoms that have become mainstays of television. From Full House to Abbott Elementary the network's sitcoms have reflected trends over time. In previous decades ABC introduced audiences to famous sitcoms such as Happy Days Laverne & Shirley and Three's Company. These shows became popular and also influenced fashion trends language and sparked conversations with their takes on friendship family and roommates.
The success of early ABC sitcoms set a structure that later shows would follow using lighthearted humor with some commentary. Modern ABC sitcoms like Modern Family and Abbott Elementary took cues from the network's past. Modern Family explored a family in Los Angeles and Abbott Elementary used a documentary style to examine a public school in Philadelphia. However ABC does not always choose sitcoms that become popular.
ABC Sitcom Star Still Holds Hope For The Middle Spinoff Airing Someday
The Middle star Eden Sher talked about the cancelled ABC spinoff for her character Sue Heck. Airing from 2009 to 2018 The Middle followed the Heck family a middle-class family in Orson Indiana. The show featured Patricia Heaton as Frankie Heck Neil Flynn as Mike Heck and their children Axl Sue and Brick. A pilot episode for a Sue Heck spinoff was filmed in 2018 but ABC decided not to proceed with the series.
In a conversation with Screen Rant's Zak Wojnar Sher spoke about the chances for the scrapped Sue Heck spinoff while discussing her guest role on Night Court. The spinoff show titled Sue Sue in the City would have shown Sue Heck moving from Indiana to Chicago to start her career. Brock Ciarlelli who played Brad in The Middle was also set to appear in the show. The Middle creators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline wrote the pilot and were to be executive producers. Eden Sher stated:
“We did shoot a pilot. It was actually a little bit tragic when it didn't get picked up because I didn't even want to do the spinoff in the first place. I didn't want to do it at all. I was like 'No I'm done with this character.' And then after months and months of developing it and creating this thing I felt good about I was like 'Oh actually I could play this for another show. I feel involved enough and I feel good enough and I feel like this is opening a new chapter. It's not just repeating the last nine years.'"
"Then we shot this I think really good pilot... And then they were like 'Nah just kidding.' After I was all invested! I didn't mourn Sue properly and now I don't know how. I'm super grateful that I put a period on it and it was great but we shot a full pilot that I think it was really good. I'm going to find a way for people to see it somehow.”
What Eden Sher's Spinoff Comments Mean For Fans of 'The Middle'
Sue Heck's Spinoff Deserved To Be Seen By a Wider Audience
Given Sher's dedication to the pilot episode it is unfortunate that Sue Sue in the City did not air. Sue Heck was a well-liked character in The Middle and not continuing her story feels like a missed opportunity for ABC. It is sad to learn that the actor put effort into Sue’s next chapter only for the network to cancel the project. While Sue Sue in the City may remain unseen Sher's determination suggests there is still hope that this spinoff might be released in some manner.
Our Take On The Sue Heck Spinoff's Potential Release
Fans May Still Have a Chance To See Sue Sue in the City Someday
Eden Sher's efforts to have Sue Sue in the City shown to the public might succeed. In the current streaming era there are many platforms that could potentially host the unaired pilot. Fan interest in The Middle remains strong and releasing Sue Sue in the City could attract viewers. Sher’s passion for the project may motivate efforts to release it on a streaming service or another platform giving fans a chance to see what could have been Sue Heck's next chapter.
Separately Frankie Muniz well-known for his role in Malcolm in the Middle is managing a busy schedule with both a NASCAR career and the sitcom reboot.
Frankie Muniz Juggles NASCAR and Malcolm in the Middle Reboot
Frankie Muniz is balancing careers as a NASCAR driver and TV actor. Muniz is known for his main role in Malcolm in the Middle and has made progress in both fields. He is pursuing a NASCAR career and a reboot of the famous sitcom is underway.
Muniz will keep racing professionally and will also return as Malcolm in the Malcolm in the Middle reboot . The show is expected to bring back the original cast including Bryan Cranston Jane Kaczmarek and show creator Linwood Boomer.
Fox Sports reports that to manage both careers Muniz has a production schedule that divides his week between filming and racing. Muniz achieved his best NASCAR result at Daytona Beach finishing in the top ten. He finished 11th initially in the NASCAR truck series but was moved to 10th after a racer disqualification.
Muniz expressed his excitement to Fox Sports stating the truck was fast. He is also set to race at Talladega Superspeedway. Muniz mentioned he faces the challenge of gaining respect in NASCAR due to his path into racing. He stated he needs to prove himself and earn respect from teammates and others on the track. Muniz was involved in a crash in NASCAR's Xfinity Series at the same track last year. His earlier ambition to reach IndyCar was stopped by an accident where he broke his back and wrist.
The Malcolm in the Middle reboot will feature original stars Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek reprising their roles with Muniz. Disney+ revealed the reboot will involve Malcolm and his daughter getting caught in family events when Hal and Lois request his presence for their 40th wedding anniversary.
How Muniz's Dual Careers Highlight Sitcoms' Lasting Appeal
Sitcom Stars Branching Out Shows Genre's Enduring Popularity
Frankie Muniz managing both NASCAR and acting emphasizes the ongoing appeal of sitcoms and their stars. Malcolm in the Middle remains a loved sitcom and its reboot along with Muniz's continued success showcase the lasting impact of sitcoms on viewers. Similarly Eden Sher’s dedication to the Sue Sue in the City spinoff and her wish for it to be seen reflects the strong connection viewers have with characters from shows like The Middle.
These developments suggest that sitcoms continue to hold a significant place in television and popular culture. Reboots spinoffs and the diverse careers of sitcom stars point to the genre's ability to stay relevant and engaging for audiences across generations.
Source: Screen Rant NPR talkSPORT The Independent