WHEN FRANKIE DRIVES THE SCHOOL CARPOOL, BRICK & HIS COMPATRIOTS FEAR SHE IS RUINING THEIR CHANCES OF BEING INVITED TO THE "NO TARDY PARTY," AND AXL BECOMES AN EXPERT IN ASTRONOMY - A CLASS HE'S NOT EVEN TAKING - IN ORDER TO TUTOR A HOT STUDENT, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

Rachel Dratch Guest Stars as Principal Barker

"The Carpool" - With the bus drivers on strike, Principal Barker (Rachel Dratch) asks the parents to form carpools to get the kids to and from school. But with time management not being one of Frankie's strong suits, her carpool kids find themselves facing the possibility of being on the receiving end of some tardy slips - which could ruin their chances of being invited to the "No Tardy Party." Meanwhile, Axl hits the books and becomes an expert in Astronomy - a class he's not even taking - in order to tutor a hot student, and when Mike receives two IU basketball tickets, he tries to find someone to accompany him to the game, not realizing that Sue really wants to go with him, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22 (8:00-8:30 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 Rachel Dratch as Principal Barker, Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Pat Finn as Bill Norwood, Alphonso McAuley as Hutch, Troy Metcalf as Jim, Malcolm Foster Smith as Dave, Greg Cipes as Chuck, Nicole Travolta as Zoe, Bryce McBratnie as Aaron, Marc Evan Jackson as Professor Danzinger, Laura Ann Kesling as Dotty Donahue, Molly Jackson as Ella Norword, Tommy Bechtold as Kenny, Eileen Fogarty as woman #1, Sonya Leslie as woman #2 and Payden Kershner as little Sue.

"The Carpool" was written by Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter and directed by Julie Anne Robinson.

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

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