ABC aims to put Heaton in "The Middle"
ABC is eyeing Patricia Heaton for the lead in "The Middle," a quirky single-camera comedy.
Written by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, "Middle" tells the story of a middle-class Midwestern family seen through the eyes of the mother. During the 2006-07 development cycle, it was picked up as a pilot starring Ricki Lake but narrowly missed the cut for a series order.
Now ABC is said to have given the project a new cast-contingent pilot order, possibly tied to landing Heaton as the lead.
Picking up a pilot contingent on a specific actor is rare but not unprecedented. Five years ago, CBS picked up the pilot for "Two and a Half Men" contingent on the producers securing Charlie Sheen
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
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