‘Middle’ to meet its end
You have questions. I have some answers.
Q: Is “The Middle” coming back? I heard them say, “Stay tuned for the farewell.” This is my favorite program and I hope it is not ending.
A: The ABC family comedy starring Patricia Heaton will be back for its ninth season Oct. 3. But that will be its last. Series creators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline said in a statement that “Last year we sat down with our cast and made the bittersweet decision together that in this ninth season it is time to bring the Hecks’ story to a close. It’s been an amazing run ... we’re looking forward to having an entire year to say goodbye.”
Also on “The Middle” ground ...
Q: Why is “The Middle” so overlooked for Emmy nominations? It has great comedic writing, memorable and unique characters with talented actors. Storylines really speak to the commonplace, family dynamics that are fairly universal for the USA.
A: The Emmys and many other awards don’t always honor solid, unpretentious work (which “The Middle” is), or widely popular productions; they instead try to make themselves look good by praising the deep, edgy, innovative and unconventional. The people who pick the Emmys often claim they don’t watch much TV, and what they watch does not necessarily include shows like “The Middle.”
Q: Is the same actor playing the attorney Trevor Langan on “Law & Order: SVU,” attorney Jack Boyle on “Blue Bloods” and the tuxedoed fellow who advertises Persil detergent? Is his name Peter Hermann? Is he related to the late Edward Herrmann?
A: The man playing all those roles is indeed Peter Hermann. He is not related to Edward Herrmann. But
Peter is the husband of “SVU’s” Mariska Hargitay.
Q: Will Amazon produce a fourth series of “Bosch” with Titus Welliver as Detective Harry Bosch? I found the first three very entertaining.
A: Amazon has ordered a fourth season, which will arrive in spring 2018.
Q: Many years ago, Mark Harmon played against type in (I believe) a made-for-TV miniseries about serial killer Ted Bundy called “The Deliberate Stranger.” I have never seen it televised again, although I seem to remember his performance was lauded.
A: A ratings hit during its first airing in 1986, it did get repeated; Gregg Olsen’s Bundy-connected novel “The Fear Collector” refers to a character seeing “the umpteenth rerun” of the miniseries. It has also been on home video for about 25 years and can be found on DVD. Reviews were somewhat mixed (I wasn’t crazy about it). Harmon was nominated for a Golden Globe for it, but did not win. Q: What year did Sheila MacRae die?
A: The likable stage and screen actress died in 2014 at 92. Her best-known TV credit was playing Alice Kramden opposite Jackie Gleason’s Ralph in the “Honeymooners” musicals done for Gleason’s variety show (1966-1971). (She was the third Alice Kramden, after Pert Kelton and the greatest, Audrey Meadows.) Off-screen she had a tumultuous marriage to singeractor Gordon MacRae from 1941-1967. Their four kids included two actresses, Meredith (“Petticoat Junction”) and Heather (“Bang the Drum Slowly”).
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