ABChas a rich history of producing sitcoms that have become staples of American television. FromFull HousetoAbbott Elementary, the studio’s sitcoms have both reflected and influenced cultural trends over the decades. In the 1970s and 1980s, ABC introduced audiences to iconic sitcoms such asHappy Days,Laverne & Shirley, andThree’s Company. These shows were not only ratings powerhouses, butalso became cultural touchstonesas they influenced fashion, language, and sparked conversation with their subversive takes on roommates, family, and friendship.
The success ofearly ABC sitcomsestablished a formula that their successors would soon follow—lighthearted, family-friendly humor with a dash of witty commentary. Contemporary ABC sitcoms such asModern FamilyandAbbott Elementaryclearly drew inspiration from the network’s golden era with extra vigor, as the former became a beloved exploration of an unconventional family in Los Angeles, while the latter used the mockumentary style to take an honest look at an underfunded and predominantly Black public school in Philadelphia. However,ABC doesn’t always pursue sitcoms that seem strong.
ABC Sitcom Star Has Renewed Hope In The Middle Spinoff
Eden Sher’s Determination Could Revive Sue Heck’s Story
The Middlestar Eden Sher shares her feelings about the now-cancelled ABC spinoff for her bubbly character, Sue Heck. Airing from 2009 to 2018, the beloved sitcom followed the everyday struggles of the Heck family, a middle-class household living in the fictional town of Orson, Indiana. The show starred Patricia Heaton as working mother Frankie Heck, Neil Flynn as her laid-back husband Mike, and their three uniquely quirky children: Axl (Charlie McDermott), Sue (Sher), and Brick (Atticus Shaffer). Apilot episode of Sue Heck’s spinoffwas filmed in 2018, but ABC ultimately decided not to move forward with the series.
In an interview withScreenRant’s Zak Wojnar about her guest appearance on the NBC sitcomNight Court,Sher opened up about the potential future of the scrapped Sue Heck spinoff.The show, titledSue Sue in the City, would have followed the middle child of the Heck family as she left Indiana to pursue a career in Chicago. Brock Ciarlelli, who played her best friend Brad onThe Middle, was cast as a series regular.The Middlecreators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline also wrote the pilot and were slated to serve as executive producers. Read what Sher had to say below:
We did shoot a pilot. It was actually a little bit tragic when it didn’t get picked up, because I didn’t even want to do the spinoff in the first place. I didn’t want to do it at all. I was like, “No, I’m done with this character.” And then, after months and months of developing it and creating this thing I felt good about, I was like, “Oh, actually I could play this for another show. I feel involved enough, and I feel good enough, and I feel like this is opening a new chapter. It’s not just repeating the last nine years.”
Thenwe shot this, I think, really good pilot… And then they were like, “Nah, just kidding.” After I was all invested! I didn’t mourn Sue properly, and now I don’t know how. I’m super grateful that I put a period on it, and it was great, but we shot a full pilot that I think it was really good.I’m going to find a way for people to see it somehow.
Sue Sue In The City’s Surprise Cancellation Explained
Sher And Ciarlelli Were Shocked By The Decision
This isnot the first time that Sher has spoken out in support ofSue Sue in the City. Back in July 2024, both she and co-star Ciarlelli provided more details aboutThe Middlespinoff’s plot and cancellation. In addition to the basic details about it taking place in Chicago, the series would have involved Sue trying to save a hotel. Ciarlelli assured audiences that it was a “really good show,” to the point where he was sure they were going to get picked up. As a result, Sher said it “was pretty devastating when it didn’t go.”
Now, both Sher and Ciarlelli have far surpassed the intended ages of their characters, making the spinoff’s resuscitation more complicated.
The Middlewas a successful ABC series, with Sue Heck being a particularly beloved character. This made it surprising that the spinoff was nixed, especially becausethe network never outlined a reason for this cancellation. One possibility is that the network may not have felt that the spinoff was necessary if they did not find the pilot as instantly compelling as the main cast did. Now, both Sher and Ciarlelli have far surpassed the intended ages of their characters, making the spinoff’s resuscitation more complicated.
Sue Heck Deserved Her Own Spotlight
Given Sher’s involvement in the now-scrapped pilot episode, it’s disappointing thatSue Sue in the Citynever made it to the small screen. Sue Heck was one of the most lovable andhilarious characters inThe Middle, andleaving her story behind feels like a missed opportunity for ABC. It’s especially heartbreaking to hear that the actor poured her heart into Sue’s next chapter, only for the network to pull the rug out from underThe Middlecast and crew. While it may seem likeSue Sue in the Cityis destined to remain unseen, with Sher’s determination, there’s still hope that this spinoff could see the light of day in some form.
Another reason to be optimistic aboutSue Sue in the City’s future is that now,there are more models for successful comedy spinoffs than there were in 2018.CBS’Big Bang Theoryspinoff seriesYoung Sheldonhad just premiered in 2017 when ABC was working onThe Middle’s own offshoot. Now,Young Sheldonhas proven itself to be extremely successful and even spawned an additional spinoff,Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
An additionalBig Bang Theoryspinoff is in the works right now, following characters from the original show.
WithThe Big Bang Theoryspinoffs succeeding, it is possible thatABC could follow CBS' modeland end up going forward with theirMiddlesequel series after all. Sher is also continuing to develop her TV repertoire through her recent appearance on NBC’sNight Court. These factors, combined with Sher’s determination for audiences to seeSue Sue in the City, could be a push to makeThe Middlespinoff finally happen.
