SEASON PREMIERE

SUE'S MOVE FROM THE HECK HOUSE TO HER COLLEGE DORM DOESN'T GO QUITE AS SMOOTHLY AS PLANNED, AND BRICK'S GIRLFRIEND CINDY WANTS TO TAKE THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO THE NEXT LEVEL, ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

Two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. Frankie works as a dental assistant, and her unflappable husband, Mike, is manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average - yes, most definitely average - family.

But will this year finally be the year of the Hecks? It just could be, as in their own way, each family member finds themselves breaking out of their comfort zones and navigating new situations than what they're used to.

In the season premiere episode, "Not Your Brother's Drop Off," Sue cannot contain her excitement over getting ready to move out of the house and into the dorm to start college. But Sue's excitement starts to give way to dread when she accidentally burns her hair and ends up having to cut it short, Axl doesn't want to join the family and help his sister move into the dorm, Frankie finds herself not feeling sad about Sue moving out of the house, and Mike overwhelms his daughter with learning financial and safety guidelines to keep her safe at school. Meanwhile, Brick doesn't know what to do when his girlfriend, Cindy, tells him that she wants to take their relationship to the next level, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 (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 Casey Burke as Cindy and Paul Bates as tow truck guy.

"Not Your Brother's Drop Off" was written by Tim Hobert 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. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.

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