Middling with Eden and Brock

She directed over 80 episodes of The Middle, and she's back with us today! Lee Shallat Chemel joins us to revisit ep 413, "The Friend!" We dive into the challenges of shooting the big cheer-off scene, talk about how Lee navigates kissing scenes between co-stars, and even share rehearsal footage from the unforgettable Fame dance routine.

Our bonus episode - “The Heck Report” - drops every Friday, exclusively on Patreo...

Reminder: we're skipping ep 410 ("Twenty Years") because we already recapped it as an Ehlert's Exclusive bonus episode back in Nov. '25 -- only on Patreon! If you want to listen or watch, that's at Patreon.com/MiddlingPod.

Today, we're recapping an episode many fans have deemed as their favorite -- and we can see why! We're chatting about episode 411, "Life Skills," and we're recounting the moment Eden couldn't stop breaking whi...

Snack Daddy Paul Hipp is here with us today! That's right... Reverend Tim Tom himself joins us to break down ep 409, "Christmas Help." No one makes us laugh like Paul, and today is no exception. He shares stories about horsey school and ice skating school he had to do for The Middle, and even reads some unused Tim Tom lyrics he wrote for the episode.

We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drops every Friday, e...

A fabulous episode of The Middle, from start to finish. We're breaking down 408, "Thanksgiving IV," and we're talking all about one of Brad's best scenes of the series, hot marines, and we both give a whack at our Jerry Van Dyke impression.

We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drops every Friday, exclusively on Patreon. Each week, we dive deeper into that week’s episode, focusing on specific 'headlines...

Just us today as we breakdown episode 407, "The Safe." We’re spotlighting two TV legends who pop up in this episode: Jane Kaczmarek as Frankie’s dental school teacher and Rick Harrison from Pawn Stars. Plus, we’re sharing some unfiltered thoughts on the Axl & Cassidy storyline and playing an adorable voicemail from one of our youngest listeners.

We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drop...

Today, we’re breaking down episode 406, “Halloween III: The Driving!” We’ve got a fun email from one of our directors, behind-the-scenes stories about filming the scene where Axl’s foot gets run over, and we chat about the wonderful and hilarious late Sam Lloyd.

We’ve got a new show! “The Heck Report” drops every Friday, exclusively on Patreon. Each week, we dive deeper into that w...

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 week’s e...

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 Re...

🚨🚨🚨 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,...

🚨🚨🚨 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,...

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, exclusively on Patr...

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/middling! Whether you want the famed yel...

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 moment that blew...

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 want the famed yellow Cross-Country hood...

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 crew-neck sweatshirt, or a t-shirt.....

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 - including Eden’...

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-neck sweatsh...

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! Get yours at: https://www.bonf...

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-neck sweatshirt, or a t-shirt... ...