On The Set of ABC's The Middle - My Big Fat Cuban Family

Let’s talk TV. Tonight, ABC TV has got a fun new comedy line-up for you. First, the hit comedy, The Middle returns for their 8th season on a new night, Tuesday. (Hey, that’s tonight!)

Last month while I was in LA, I had the wonderful opportunity to take a tour of Stage 31 on the Warner Brothers Studio Lot, where ABC’s The Middle is filmed.

We actually got to be on set as they filmed ‘The Middle’ and meet the lovely and talented Patricia Heaton, along with her TV sons, Charlie McDermott and Atticus Shaffer. All were so welcoming and forthcoming about their upcoming season. Lots of fun and surprises are in store.

Also, Patricia Heaton loved and complemented my necklace, but that’s not important right now.

Charlie McDermott as Axl Heck, Atticus Shaffer as Brick Heck, Patricia Heaton as Frankie Heck, bloggers: Tee of That’s It LA, Marta Darby

Our tour took us into the wardrobe trailer where we were surrounded by miles of garments. Imagine a giant, air-conditioned walk-in closet with everything tagged and inputted into a database.

If they ever need to re-shoot a later scene, they know exactly who was wearing what, when. As a former “costume mom” I appreciated all the attention to detail.

Look at this gorgeous Sea of Plaid. This represents Neil Flynn’s character, Mike Heck’s sartorial choices.

During our set visit, we (when I say “we,” I mean myself and 24 other bloggers) had the best time touring the set.

Neil Flynn and Patricia Heaton as Mike and Frankie Heck on ABC’s The Middle. Photo courtesy of ABC TV.

It’s so amazing the attention to detail in the set. It truly looks like someone lives there! The crew was kind enough to let us stop and take a photo in the ‘living room’ set.

Bloggers on the set of ABC TV’s The Middle

From ABC:

Two-time Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations, on the season premiere of “The Middle” on its new night, TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT), on the ABC Television Network.
Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. Frankie works as a dental assistant, and her unflappable husband, Mike, is manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average – yes, most definitely average – family.
This year, the kids will find themselves breaking out of their comfort zones and navigating new situations than what they’re used to – which may or may not be very comforting to Frankie and Mike.
On the season premiere episode, “The Core Group,” Frankie and Mike are excited to meet April (Greer Grammer) – the love of Axl’s life – but discover that love may indeed be blind when April reveals a quirky personality trait.
Meanwhile, after getting bit by the acting bug while working at Dollywood over the summer, Sue wants to change her major to theater, and Brick is starting high school and making it his mission to try for a fresh start and not be considered one of the weird kids.

I have already seen tonight’s episode, “The Core Group,” and I can say as a mom I definitely shed a few bittersweet tears. The Middle reminds us that life is lived in moments, imperfect ones at that. But those moments are where real life happens. Cherish those perfectly imperfect moments. It all goes by so fast.

Tune in tonight for the Season 8 Premiere of ABC’s The Middle.

Speaking of Fabulous Tuesday Nights, check out the rest of this hilarious line up on ABC tonight:

‘The Middle’ Airs on Its New Night, Tuesdays at 8:00 p.m. Followed by American Housewife at 8:30-9:00 p.m EST with Fresh Off The Boat right after at 9:00-9:30 EST.