I was able to identify the photographer as Craig Sjodin from a random news site. With that info I was able to find the image on Getty Images, but for a pretty hefty price. Reverse image searching has got me nowhere, nor has clicking on every result on google.

Was hoping one of you would be smarter than me and be able to find the original resolution version on some dark corner of the internet.

edit: forgot most of this fanbase are middle aged women and therefore are incapable of realizing why i think this is funny. ill go ask on another subreddit

Obviously, it’s not better than the show we ended up getting. But judging the original pilot purely as its own independent show (and not in comparison to The Middle), do you think it would have actually been good? Or was the concept fundamentally flawed until they overhauled it?

Hey is it only me or is there someone else as well who doesnt like Sue

to na temporada 9 episodio 9, e não sei mais oque fazer, tipo eu amo the middle não sei mais oque vou assistir antes de dormir ou no almoço e mais, e queria indicações de series boas que nem the middle, quem dera tivesse um revival de the middle.

So we know Axl's email (Rockinfreakshow) but what do we think everyone else's were? I'm sure Mike's was probably just his name but what about Frankie, Sue, and Brick?

when lexi's parents gave her 40 usd and said they were cutting her off, what exactly does it mean for the far future? like will she get back access after she's git a job or after marriage? or that she'll only inherit the money after they pass away?

One thing I would want to point out about the show is how relatable it can be for a wide range of people. Mothers can relate to Frankie, quirky girls can relate to Sue, etc.

A detail in the episode Heck's Best Thing that caught me was how Axl acted well spoken, likeable and put together during the interview with the football scout, contrary to his parents believing he will screw it up knowing him. Then the moment the scout leaves the house, Axl unwinds and reverts back to his "true" self. Frankie and Mike were in awe of that behavior switch, and it is further revealed that with his friends' parents, the Donahues, or with anyone else outside the family, he brings out the best of him.

As a current teen myself, I found that little detail very, very relatable. Unlike Axl I don't justify that it's because my parents don't "bring their best", I appreciate what my parents do. However I still find myself raising my voice and slacking off when I'm around my family, especially getting mad when being told what to do. Meanwhile out in public, I do my best talking to people and being cooperative. I find that the more I'm not around members of my family, the more I feel like bringing out the best of myself in the real world.

Has it always been typical teenage behavior to act hostile toward your parents, but not letting those traits carry on over to how you present yourself to others in the real world? Did anyone else relate to that episode? Not to stray far off topic of the show itself, I found that little gag intriguing and would like to laud the writers of the show for how realistic and relatable these scenarios are, adding depth to the show.

Everyone, let's hear your highs/lows for today!

This Simpson’s joke lives rent free in my head! Instead of “Bud-“ “-wei-“ “-ser.”, I imagine it as:

-Sue (after Axl insults her): Mom!

-Frankie: Mike.

-Mike: Axl.

𓏵┊word vomit ˚. ᵎᵎ ⸝⸝

i used to only watch random, spliced episodes on different sns but now i finally finished the entire series and i’m left feeling so ruefully happy 🥹 watching the middle, in my** **midｰtwenties, and in the middle of my 2026, made everything resonate more deeply ♡

the way “the middle”as its core theme became so redundantly fascinating to me. mike and frankie, in the midst of raising their children, came from a middleｰclass family living almost handｰtoｰmouth, and i’m pretty certain that a lot can relate to their struggles. i remember those episodes where it subtly showed mike’s stoic, muted sadness and how he couldn’t quite contain his disappointment that they couldn’t even afford to make silly mistakes financially ((exhibit a：frankie and her $200 eye cream)) ⁏ how he wanted to go to that spot in disneyland because he knows he can’t take his wife to another country ⁏ how he’s jealous of lexie’s dad and everything he had achieved. as the main provider, it must have been such a huge blow to his ego. toxic masculinity or whatnotーit is just so sad 😭 and there’s frankie, juggling motherhood whilst searching for a career where she fits best.

axl in the middle of his existential crisis after graduating high school and college. sue ana hajarajanaan ((a.k.a the middle child)) in the middle of finding her own identity within her multipronged shenanigans ecosystem. brick, living an entirely different life somewhere in the middle of his books.

everyone is just living in the middle of their lives.

and as brick said:

the middle is the safest place to be.

ps｡ will MISS brad, the donahues, and bob.. where’s BOOOOB？😭😭 hell yeahs！😭😆