Middling with Eden and Brock

We've got another writer in studio with us today! Stacey Pulwer joins us to talk about episode 405, "The Hose!" She tells us all about her first table read mishap and some funny "B.S." from network. Plus, we've got a voicemail from an Australian fan and some listener follow ups! We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drops every Friday, exclusively on Patreon. Each week, we dive deeper into that...

Today we’re joined by the always-hilarious Jana Hunter, the writer of this episode! She returns for a second appearance on the pod with plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from episode 404, "Bunny Therapy." We cover everything from Eden’s on-set partial concussion to Jana’s real-life experience as a dental hygienist...And, of course, the delight that is Dave Foley. We’ve got a new show! “The Heck...

🚨🚨🚨 BRAND NEW MERCH !! 🚨🚨🚨 You’ve been asking—and it’s finally here… your very own BLUE BAG ! It’s big, dependable, and perfect for leaving behind. This tote is perfect for Frugal Hoosier runs, snacks for the road trip to Disney World, or hauling the crap from your desk when Ehlert fires you. It’s double-sided with the iconic quote, “you forgot the blue bag?!” on one side, and the Middling l...

🚨🚨🚨 BRAND NEW MERCH !! 🚨🚨🚨 You’ve been asking—and it’s finally here… your very own BLUE BAG ! It’s big, dependable, and perfect for leaving behind. This tote is perfect for Frugal Hoosier runs, snacks for the road trip to Disney World, or hauling the crap from your desk when Ehlert fires you. It’s double-sided with the iconic quote, “you forgot the blue bag?!” on one side, and the Middling l...

New season, new studio! Coming to you from our new podcast studio, we're recapping episode 401, "Last Whiff of Summer Pt 1." We've got lots of announcements -- including a brand new show, exclusively on Patreon! And then we're breaking it all down... including the trailer moment from Mike, a fun continuity error, and lots of comedy! We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drops every Friday, exclu...

We're at the season 3 finale, we can't believe it. Here to recap episode 324, "The Wedding," with us is Mary Birdsong ( Reno 911! , Succession )! She's got a wonderful Norm Macdonald impression and lots of memories from the show - and she's sharing them all. Plus we've got some behind the scenes pictures we're releasing to the masses. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/midd...

Live from The Stray Theater in Los Angeles! 🎭 In this December 2025 live show, we revisit one of our all-time favorites: Episode 822, “The Final Final”—complete with our La La Land-inspired musical number. We’re breaking it all down with the audience, sharing behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage, demo audio, and plenty of stories from filming. We also spot a young Sydney Sweeney, revisit the momen...

We've got the one and only Chris Kattan ( SNL , Night at the Roxbury ) with us! He's here to help us break down episode 323, "The Telling." We're talking about Chris' characterization of Frankie's favorite work friend, the magic of doing things in one take, and we even spot some photo doubles for Sean and Darrin. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling ! Whether you wan...

Just us today as we breakdown episode 322, "The Clover!" First we read some comments before breaking down the episode where we talk about block shooting, tricks of the camera for fire safety, and read out deleted scenes of Brick trying to dispose of his unlucky clover. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling ! Whether you want the famed yellow Cross-Country hoodie, a cr...

Always known on set as "The Cheerleaders," today we're joined by Brittany Ross ( Huge in France , Mythic Quest ) and Natalie Lander ( Goldie and Bear , Grey's Anatomy )! They played Courtney and Debbie, and they’re here to break down episode 321, "The Guidance Counselor." We dive into their unforgettable audition story, their real-life “life partnership,” and share TONS of Whoopi Goldberg stories...

We’re diving into Episode 318, “The Smell!” After reading a few reviews, we share our own deodorant journeys, talk about Eden’s outtake that made it into the final cut, and highlight the actress who appeared in three different roles across three separate episodes. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling ! Whether you want the famed yellow Cross-Country hoodie, a crew-ne...

Such a fun episode with Rob Capron ( Diary of a Wimpy Kid , The Way Way Back )! He's helping us break down episode 320, "Get Your Business Done," where he tells us about his direct offer to be on The Middle , his vivid memories of Universal City Walk, and running into his TV mom from The Middle just a few short months ago. Plus we read out some deleted scenes and read a listener DM. WE HAVE MERCH!...

We're breaking down episode 319, "The Paper Route!" First we read some comments, and then we dive into this hilarious episode. We're talking all about Sue's headgear (and the challenges it brought!) -- and just how lucky we were to have icon, Ed Asner, as guest star. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling ! Whether you want the famed yellow Cross-Country hoodie, a crew...

SUCH a fun episode today! We have Mackenzie Aladjem ( Nurse Jackie , All My Children ) and she helps us breakdown episode 318, "Leap Year!" First Eden tells all about filming her Hallmark movie ( A Keller Christmas Vacation ). Then we talk about the episode where we find out the cat storyline was lifted directly from Neil's life! Plus, a listener calls in with a very glaring plot hole regarding Su...

Jumping ahead today with one of our personal favorite guests -- and one of YOUR favorites! Casey Burke ( Joker: Folie à Deux , Modern Family ) joins us for ep 920, "Great Heckspectations!" It's her final episode of the series and she tells us about when she knew it'd be her last, the touching wrap gift Atticus Shaffer gave her, and she even shares a video from her final moments as Cindy. WE HAVE M...

Today, it's just us as we recap ep 317, "The Sit Down!" Eden tells a hilariously embarrassing story about an event that took place in the Hair and Makeup Trailer -- and it involves her and a moth. Did it inspire this episode? We'll never know. Plus, we answer a voicemail from listener with two fashion degrees... and she's got a pressing question about Sue's wardrobe. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours...

We're recapping episode 316, "The Concert," with our director! Phil Traill ( All About Steve , St. Denis Medical ) chats with us about where Axl's speed limit storyline came from, the incredible acting on The Middle , and tells us a hilarious story regarding red or white wine -- and which one is "funnier." Plus we read a letter from an international fan! WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://...

Today we're with Julie Brown ( Clueless , Camp Rock )! You know her as Paula Norwood, and she's here to breakdown episode 315, "Valentine's Day III." She tells us about her 1 line audition, her very "Sue" moment regarding French kissing, and what it was like to be a judge on one of the most famous episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race . Plus be sure to listen to her new podcast, "Just Say Julie," releasi...

The meaning behind Cindy’s name, the real-life trip and fall that inspired Mike’s stumble at work, and the origin of The Loneliest Locker . Our guest, Rich Dahm ( The Colbert Report ), shares these behind the scenes stories... and more! The man came prepared. A writer of some of your favorite episodes, Rich joins us to recap episode 603, “Major Anxiety.” Plus, we listen to an adorable voicemail fr...

Today we’re recapping episode 314, “Hecking It Up,” with Sean O’Bryan ( Princess Diaries , Olympus Has Fallen ), who played Ron Donahue! He tells us how he didn’t have to audition for Ron, the pranks Neil Flynn pulled on set, and how it was sometimes hard to remember which fictional child belonged to him. We also put him to work as we read out lots of deleted scenes from the episode! WE HAVE MERCH...

Today, we're recapping episode 313, "The Map," and it's just us! We talk about the bold choice to make the entire first act a single scene in the car, the brilliant casting of Moisés Arias ( Fallout , Hannah Montana ), and Brock shares some rehearsal videos of the Sue Heck chant put together by the wrestling team. WE HAVE MERCH!  Get yours at: https://www.bonfire.com/middling ! Whether you wa...

Orson’s favorite God-fearing Wrestlerette, Ruth, is with us today! Grace Bannon ( Grey's Anatomy, So Random! ) joins us to break down her debut episode: ep 312 - "Year of the Hecks!" We’re dishing on Ruth’s wig, Brock shares a story about his wrestling singlet (featuring double-sided tape and his nipples), and we even spot a very young Casey Burke (aka “Cindy”) appearing as a background actor in t...

WE'RE DOING A LIVE RECORDING!! Friday, December 5th, 2025 @7pm at the Stray Theater in Los Angeles!! We'll be recapping one of our (and maybe your!) favorite episodes in front of a live audience! Trivia, behind the scenes clips and videos, and lots of laughs. Tickets are limited, get them here: https://buytickets.at/thestraytheater/1922627 The most perfect neighbor in sitcom history is with us tod...

WE'RE DOING A LIVE RECORDING!! Friday, December 5th, 2025 @7pm at the Stray Theater in Los Angeles!! We'll be recapping one of our (and maybe your!) favorite episodes in front of a live audience! Trivia, behind the scenes clips and videos, and lots of laughs. Tickets are limited, get them here: https://buytickets.at/thestraytheater/1922627 We’ve got the fabulous director of today’s episode, Meliss...

WE'RE DOING A LIVE RECORDING!! Friday, December 5th, 2025 @7pm at the Stray Theater in Los Angeles!! We'll be recapping one of our (and maybe your!) favorite episodes in front of a live audience! Trivia, behind the scenes clips and videos, and lots of laughs. Tickets are limited, get them here: https://buytickets.at/thestraytheater/1922627 Blow up the air mattress and hammer the frozen Thanksgivin...