ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

#1

Rating: 0

6/22/08 at 9:02pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Did anyone catch this? It was an extremely fun pilot I thought, sort of a hybrid of Men in Black and every male/female buddy cop show you can imagine.

I laughed out loud many times at some of the dialogue and sight gags, like the pocket Lightsaber he had (I think I even saw an MiB neuralizer too) and the way 'The Middle Man' runs lol.

Which brings me to Natalie Morales...

Reminded me A LOT of Rosario Dawson and that's a very good thing.

"The horror!"

#2

Rating: 0

6/22/08 at 9:48pm

Cameron Yee

Joined: May 2002
Post Count: 6,731

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

The first time I heard of the Middle Man was at Comic-Con last year, where the publisher had a booth with a model dressed like Wendy Watson. When I saw the print ad for the TV show, I wasn't sure if it was the same thing since Morales has a pretty different look from the comic.

Here's a pic I took from the convention:

Here's the comic:

It's that time of year,
Leave all our hopelessnesses aside (if just for a little while)
Tears stop right here,
I know we've all had a bumpy ride (I’m secretly on your side)
-- Imogen Heap "Just For Now"

#3

Rating: 0

6/23/08 at 3:48am

Brian^K
Brian

Joined: June 2006
Location: Burlington, MA
Post Count: 625

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

The show is definitely laugh-out-loud funny. We can't wait to see the second episode.

#4

Rating: 0

6/23/08 at 6:08am

Jason Seaver

Joined: December 1969
Post Count: 9,306

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I liked it a lot. The pilot was pretty much the first comic series line by line (which makes sense, because the comic was basically the original pilot script from a few years ago), and I gather they will be adapting the second miniseries soon, although I hope they'll hold off the third for a while (the folks who've read it know why I say this).

Jay's Movie Blog - A movie-viewing diary.
Transplanted Life: Sci-fi soap opera about a man placed in a new body, updated two or three times a week.
Trading Post Inn - Another gender-bending soap, with different collaborators writing different points of view.

"What? Since when was this an energy ball...

#5

Rating: 0

6/23/08 at 11:13am

Chuck Anstey

Joined: November 1998
Post Count: 376

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I didn't realize this was a comic but it looked to me like a Special Unit 2 remake and that is fine as I would have like to see more of that show. It has the same monster of the week plot with smarmy and witty over the top characters.

#6

Rating: 0

6/23/08 at 4:17pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Its a real hoot and I'm hooked. Episode 2 starts in 45 minutes (5:00 P.M.).

#7

Rating: 0

6/23/08 at 4:34pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Certaintly does look different than the comic, I think I like the two female concept better.

One joke that I meant to mention but forgot to, and one that had me laughing for several minutes, was when Wendy first went for the job and saw 'TMM' standing up on that balcony looking down at her, cuts to commercial break, then when the show comes back we get a subtitle that reads '3 minutes 10 seconds later' lol.

What they did for that 3 min and 10 sec I don't know but i'm sure glad they waited for us before they began speaking.

I also noticed undertones from one of the minature silver screens greatest lawmen...Inspector Sledge Hammer!

TMM was enjoying "interrogating" that suspect a little too much lol.

"The horror!"

#8

Rating: 0

6/24/08 at 1:10pm

Abby_B

Joined: May 2005
Post Count: 569

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Episode 2 was fantastic!! Still continues to be insanely funny and really out there.. Loved the succubus half-way house idea..how do they think of this stuff?!?!

I also liked that they showed kind of a softer side of Wendy when she was interacting with the kid and then when she was talking about her dad.. its good to know shes not constantly snarky and cynical...

#9

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 11:09am

Phil Florian

Joined: March 2001
Post Count: 1,161

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

This is turning out to be a surprise hit with me. I only was half-interested because I liked Javier Grillo-Marxuach from his work in comics, funny enough (though I see he has a lot of Lost cred, so that doesn't hurt). Even then, I thought ABC Family was a cast-off network to show repeats of Smallville or shows involving plucky teens and the stupid adults in their lives (like, oh, the Disney channel).

Turns out, this show is the bomb! Why this isn't getting on to the main network is beyond me. It has great production values. This doesn't mean great special effects...they are cheesy but done consistently so and with great wit so it works. The writing is top notch and the acting is pitch perfect for the material. I hope they can keep this up. Clever stuff. I hope it hangs around.

#10

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 2:00pm

Patrick Sun

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 32,459

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I lub Dub-Dub. Nuff said.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!" - Wash
"That's one long-ass boobie hair." - Dr. Bob Kelso
"If Bauer says there's going to be an attack, my belief is... there's going to be an attack." Ethan on "24"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

#11

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 3:00pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Sun

I lub Dub-Dub. Nuff said.

Isn't it pronounced Dubby?

Me too, Natalie's fast becoming my #2 hottie on television, right after Cobie Smulders.

"The horror!"

#12

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 3:41pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Florian

...Even then, I thought ABC Family was a cast-off network to show repeats of Smallville or shows involving plucky teens and the stupid adults in their lives (like, oh, the Disney channel).

Don't forget Kyle XY, not a cast-off in my mind.

#13

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 5:13pm

Patrick Sun

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 32,459

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I think Lacey calls Wendy "Dub-Dub".

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!" - Wash
"That's one long-ass boobie hair." - Dr. Bob Kelso
"If Bauer says there's going to be an attack, my belief is... there's going to be an attack." Ethan on "24"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

#14

Rating: 0

6/30/08 at 5:38pm

Brian^K
Brian

Joined: June 2006
Location: Burlington, MA
Post Count: 625

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Short for "Wendy Watson" (double-U, double-U).

#15

Rating: 0

7/1/08 at 3:07pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Adams

Don't forget Kyle XY, not a cast-off in my mind.

Absolutely, Kyle XY is one of my favorite shows.

I now know what your talking about, Patrick, I just finished watching this weeks ep and I heard her roommate call her 'Dub Dub' lol.

Man, I never thought that cynicism could be so sexy but Natalie proves it with every endearing word she utters. I was finally able to classify her different looks, when she's wearing the glasses she looks like Rosario Dawson but without them she reminds me of Amanda Peet.

With so many LOL moments in this weeks episode the best for me has to be when they reveal how the other sensai died, did he die in some glorious and epic battle to the death at the hands of sensai Ping? Nope...he keeled over during a game of Rock Em' Sock Em' Robots!

Also, that shot of Wendy coming up towards camera after being ejected from the jet was not only funny but also reminded me of when John McClain ejected himself from the exploding plane in Die Hard 2.

"The horror!"

#16

Rating: 0

7/2/08 at 3:11pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

The renumeration/gift of the Smart Car with MIDLMN2 vanity plates made a sweet ending.

#17

Rating: 0

7/3/08 at 12:26pm

Mikel_Cooperman

Joined: January 2001
Location: San Leandro, Ca.
Post Count: 4,068

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Love Matt Kesslar. Hope the show succeeds.

#18

Rating: 0

7/3/08 at 7:27pm

Steve Berger

Joined: September 2001
Post Count: 764

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Adams

The renumeration/gift of the Smart Car with MIDLMN2 vanity plates made a sweet ending.

To pick a nit, it's MDDLMN2 , using my favorite way to abbreviate: no vowels.

The show almost runs too quick to catch all the little details. (I couldn't watch TV without a DVR)

#19

Rating: 0

7/4/08 at 11:33am

Patrick Sun

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 32,459

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

So, I'm caught up with all 3 episodes, and they have all been very entertaining. I love how Dub-Dub can just spit out lines without tripping over them because the dialogue the writers ask her to do is ridiculous, but very funny at the same time. Sure, the production values aren't the greatest in the world, but the performances by the main cast, and the dialogue and attitude make up for such deficiencies. It's my surprise find of the summer so far.

This is one of those shows that I do rewind a lot just to catch all the zany pop cultural references.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!" - Wash
"That's one long-ass boobie hair." - Dr. Bob Kelso
"If Bauer says there's going to be an attack, my belief is... there's going to be an attack." Ethan on "24"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

#20

Rating: 0

7/8/08 at 11:21am

Patrick Sun

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 32,459

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

This week's episode felt a little off, but we did get some development in Dub-Dub's orientation with the whole Middleman program. The plastic surgery faces on the Manicoids were so off-putting, though.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!" - Wash
"That's one long-ass boobie hair." - Dr. Bob Kelso
"If Bauer says there's going to be an attack, my belief is... there's going to be an attack." Ethan on "24"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

#21

Rating: 0

7/14/08 at 8:46pm

Patrick Sun

Joined: June 1999
Post Count: 32,459

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I about lost it with the repeated hand gestures and foot stomp when they were referring to the !!!! drink. Too funny. Overall, Lacey was a little too needy, but she did get ditched by her mom, so perhaps understandable.

"I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar!" - Wash
"That's one long-ass boobie hair." - Dr. Bob Kelso
"If Bauer says there's going to be an attack, my belief is... there's going to be an attack." Ethan on "24"
Patcave | 2006 Films | 2007 Films | Dragon Con 2008

#22

Rating: 0

7/15/08 at 4:36pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Right, the !!!! drink was hilarious. I thought the one-liners were especially good last night. It took me awhile to realize Mr. White was Dale on The Riches.

Garrett, M.D., Ph.D

#23

Rating: 0

7/22/08 at 5:03pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Last night, best line ever! To paraphrase: "... she's going to blow the whole band through a hole ................. in the time warp."

#24

Rating: 0

7/22/08 at 7:06pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

When the foul-mouthed alien girl scout (we've got to get an unrated DVD so that we can hear what she was saying lol) took off on her bike at warp speed...

"Dubby, that is one fast Huffy."

The things they come up with in this show are so off-puttingly charming it's hilarious, like the sight of that poor duck with it's head stuck in a worm hole and the sound of his quacks echoing from the ether.

"The horror!"

#25

Rating: 0

2/20/09 at 4:29pm

Garrett Adams

Joined: September 2000
Post Count: 676

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

The Middleman has been canceled! Darn it, first Kyle XY and now Middleman. Those two were the only ABC Family shows I watched. Oh well, one less channel I'll have to monitor. Wish I could return it to Comcast for a rate reduction.

#26

Rating: 0

2/20/09 at 6:50pm

Derek Miner

Joined: February 1999
Post Count: 1,525

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

At least SHOUT! will be putting out a DVD set and the show won't disappear into the realm of forgotten and unreleased TV.

= Derek Miner =
Co-founder, Sunscreen Film Festival

#27

Rating: 0

2/20/09 at 7:44pm

Inspector Hammer!
John Williamson

Joined: March 1999
Location: On duty and takin' out the fullscreen trash.
Post Count: 10,118

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

I hate to say it, as much as I loved the show, i'm not surprised at it's getting the boot.

It was just too damn silly for it's own good, a virtue to us but apparently the general public just didn't get the joke.

No more Dubby.

"The horror!"

#28

Rating: 0

2/21/09 at 7:23am

Jason Seaver

Joined: December 1969
Post Count: 9,306

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

For what it's worth, Viper will apparently be releasing a graphic novel that wraps the series up at about the same time as the DVDs. I wonder whether it will use likenesses or the art style from the original comics.

Jay's Movie Blog - A movie-viewing diary.
Transplanted Life: Sci-fi soap opera about a man placed in a new body, updated two or three times a week.
Trading Post Inn - Another gender-bending soap, with different collaborators writing different points of view.

"What? Since when was this an energy ball...

#29

Rating: 0

2/22/09 at 12:17am

Derek Miner

Joined: February 1999
Post Count: 1,525

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Seaver

For what it's worth, Viper will apparently be releasing a graphic novel that wraps the series up at about the same time as the DVDs. I wonder whether it will use likenesses or the art style from the original comics.

The Middleblog said the graphic novel will use the likenesses of the TV show characters.

= Derek Miner =
Co-founder, Sunscreen Film Festival

#30

Rating: 0

2/23/09 at 1:56pm

Jason Seaver

Joined: December 1969
Post Count: 9,306

Re: ABC Family's 'THE MIDDLE MAN'

Ah, that's kind of a bummer. As much as I like Keesler and Morales, most likeness-based comics look pretty bad (and I liked the original character designs).

Jay's Movie Blog - A movie-viewing diary.
Transplanted Life: Sci-fi soap opera about a man placed in a new body, updated two or three times a week.
Trading Post Inn - Another gender-bending soap, with different collaborators writing different points of view.

"What? Since when was this an energy ball...

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