DECEMBER 10 - 16, 2017 staradvertiser.com IMPERFECTLY PERFECT The Heck family is getting ready to bid farewell after 9 seasons of juggling bills, extracurriculars and endless holidays. Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) stars as Frankie Heck, the hilarious matriarch of a family whose raw honesty and relatable experiences will see the series join the select few iconic TV family sitcoms. Enjoy a holiday treat with the Hecks in an all new, festive episode of The Middle. Airing Tuesday, Dec. 12, on ABC. Even the tiniest voice can start A TIDAL WAVE. Anyone with a little passion can start a movement in their community. Champion an issue. Cheer an event. Support a cause. ¶ũe^ehbla^k^mh^fihp^krhnpbma the training, equipment and airtime you need so your olelo.org voice can be heard. Visit olelo.org. ON THE COVER | THE MIDDLE One Heck of a family Creating a legacy with Dad Mike, played by Neil Flynn (“Scrubs”), the family afloat as they juggle daily bills and rounds off the bunch with his towering height, expenses. ‘The Middle’ level head and blunt honesty. As the fam- Another notable element of the season thus ily manages day-to-day struggles between far is its recognition of the family’s journey — By Kat Mulligan breakfasts of frozen pancakes and fast food the lasting impact of the Hecks in their own TV Media dinners around a glowing television screen, universe and the world beyond the screen. The there is something incredibly raw and endear- season 9 premiere made this theme overtly amily comedies are essential to prime- ing about them. There’s no need to try to clear, with Frankie’s obsessing over the town’s time television, though few manage to impress, and no wanting for more than what is time capsule project, stressing to the family Fbreak through the fourth wall and provide possible for them. As the Hecks straddle the the importance of finding just the right way to a sense of genuine authenticity. It seems as if line between middle and lower class, there is commemorate their presence in the town, be- each decade graces us with one or two qual- a sense that a reflection is being sent back to cause, as Frankie frantically asks: “Will people ity family sitcoms, the highs and lows of their millions of Americans who see their own reality remember that the Hecks were here?” experiences so familiar that we become a part playing out onscreen, week by week. Perhaps It’s an obvious thematic choice for a final of the family ourselves. Such legendary series this is why the series has long en- season, but, as the series does so skilfully, include “All in the Family,” “Roseanne,” “Full dured, as families have grown up Frankie’s questioning and desire to know House” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” with, and alongside, the Hecks. the family has had an impact is extremely Thankfully, the current generation has found This growth is quite literal, relatable. Thankfully, the series is helping its own iconic family to join, though sadly the with season 9 finding the fam- Frankie to find the answer, by reflect- time has come to say goodbye. The final sea- ily shifting toward an adult ing back on memorable events of “The son of “The Middle” is underway, with a new, majority: Brick is now the sole Middle.” The credit scenes of the Christmas-themed episode arriving Tuesday, teenager in the house, and episode “Thanksgiving IX,” for Dec. 12, on ABC. entering his sophomore instance, reflect on the past “The Middle” made its way into homes across year of high school. Sue nine years of Heck family North America back in September 2009. is a junior at college, Thanksgivings. Montages Throughout the pilot episode, mom Frankie, while Axl has found his such as this one tug at the played by Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves way home from Europe, heartstrings of fans, who Raymond”), provides the rundown on the greatly changed by have shared these holi- Hecks, her family of five. There’s the eldest the experience (well, day moments for nearly of her three children, Axl (Charlie McDermott, somewhat). Frankie a decade with “The “Hot Tub Time Machine,” 2010), a carefree, and Mike confront Middle,” and now accept athletic rebel; Sue (Eden Sher, “The Outcasts,” the realities of the bittersweet conclu- 2017), a klutzy yet optimistic and driven mid- having their adult sion to such a relatable dle child; and Brick (Atticus Shaffer, “Steven children at home and journey. Universe”), the brainy, quirky youngest child the need for both of who juggles exceptional smarts with exhaust- them, but especially Axl, Patricia Heaton stars in “The Middle” ing boredom. to contribute to keeping 2 STAR CHANNELS December 10 - 16, 2017 SOAP UPDATES By Andrew Sawyer at Sami’s hotel room. information on an enemy’s whereabouts. TV Media Will is reunited with Josslyn gets an important package. Sonny Belle, who reveals has a question. Sam’s reunion is bittersweet. For the week of December 4 - 8 something unpleas- Franco receives much more than he bargained ant from his past. Paul for. tells John that he’s The Young and the Restless The Bold and the Beautiful afraid of losing Sonny. Ashley becomes enraged when she learns Steffy is consumed by guilt, and she makes a Maura West Eve turns things that Abby quit Newman Enterprises after pact with Bill in order to save her marriage to stars in “General around on Brady. Sami Victoria tried to set her up at the press con- Liam. Ridge is thrown for a loop when he discov- Hospital” unleashes her anger ference. When Ashley visits Victor, he insists ers Thorne’s current living arrangement. Much at Belle. Rafe is con- he wasn’t aware that Abby quit. Victor forces to the dismay of Ridge, but to the delight of Eric sumed with guilt for sleeping with Sami when Victoria to apologize to Abby. Abby uses the and Quinn, Thorne displays his latest endeavor. Hope opens up her heart to him. Sonny comes opportunity to negotiate a good deal to re- Quinn and Ivy are intrigued by the new family to a decision as to whether he wants to be turn to Newman. Sharon tells Nick that she’s dynamic, and they compare the differences with Paul or Will. Will kisses Paul just as Sonny in love with Scott and wants him to move in. between Ridge and Thorne. Steffy becomes arrives outside of Paul’s room. Eric comforts Nick gives his blessing, despite how he feels riddled with anxiety the more that Liam asks Sami. Steve confronts Tripp in regards to Kate. about Scott. Victor pressures Chelsea to for her forgiveness. Sheila takes advantage Ciara visits Theo at the hospital. Sami tells come to the tree lighting ceremony at the of a situation when she spots Thorne at Il Lucas to sober up to be there for his son. Eric ranch, but she stands her ground. Victoria of- Giardino. Eric tells Quinn all about the history asks Will to give his mother a chance. Brady fers Ravi a position at Newman Enterprises. Brooke has with the Forrester men. In an at- requests that Paul dig up dirt on Eve. Maggie Since Ravi is discouraged about a future with tempt to win her back, Ridge sets up a steamy fights back when Eve asserts her authority in Ashley, he accepts Victoria’s offer. Jack tells surprise for Brooke. Knowing the history the Kiriakis household. Nikki he must focus on Dina’s care. Billy stops between Quinn and Ridge, Thorne confronts General Hospital by Jabot to discuss with Ashley the reveal of Ridge about having betrayed Brooke. Sam battles for her future. Franco struggles her parentage. They each express that noth- Days of Our Lives with his conscience. Liz defends her inten- ing has changed between them as siblings. Sami and Rafe make love. Hope grows con- tions. Sam makes her intentions known. Amy The mood is broken when Billy reveals that cerned after an update about Ciara from is surprised to see Maxie. Lulu comes up with he also came by to borrow the company jet. Shawn and Belle. Ciara tells Claire she will a plan. Sam begs Alexis for her help. Carly runs Hilary asks Jack for Jabot to sponsor the make her pay. Kate encourages Lucas to go to into Nelle. Olivia is sidelined. Sam looks for Hilary Hour. Jack agrees, but only if Hilary rehab. Rafe must hide when Hope shows up help from an unlikely source. Sonny gets some stops covering scandals. Your Home or Business Drapes NEED EXPERT DRY-CLEANING! Why? Drapery & Curtains are a lot like a giant air fi lter – collecting dust & air-borne pollutants. 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