SEASON PREMIERE

THE HECKS' LONG SUMMER BEGINS WHEN FRANKIE IS STUNNED OVER MIKE'S ADMISSION THAT AXL IS HIS FAVORITE HECK CHILD, BRICK GROWS A GIANT TOMATO FOR HIS SUMMER PROJECT, AXL IS FORCED TO TAKE SUMMER SCHOOL, AND SUE TRIES TO BOND WITH MIKE, ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"Last Whiff of Summer" - Frankie's plans to recreate the magic of her own childhood summers are foiled when Mike lets it slip that Axl is his favorite Heck child, and Frankie tries to coax the kids into telling them who their favorite parent is. Meanwhile, when Frankie and Mike discover that Axl failed English during the past school year, they force him to make it up in summer school, otherwise he could jeopardize any chance of getting a college sports scholarship after graduation; Brick takes up growing a tomato for his summer project; and Sue tries to bond with a reluctant Mike and to get him involved in different activities with her -- which she plans to document in a giant scrapbook -- on the season premiere of "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Sarah Buehler as office worker, Van Epperson as guy with flag, Hilary Pingle as mom, Ron Rogge as dad and Davis Desmond as boy.

"Last Whiff of Summer" was written by Eileen Heisler & DeAnn Heline and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com/TheMiddle