‘The Middle’: Funny as Heck

THE SITCOM “The Middle” paints a pretty accurate portrait of motherhood, astutely depicting the joys and pains of a generous parent addressing her children’s never-ending needs. Facing head-on the challenges of properly raising disparate kids and making a living, Frankie Heck (Patricia Heaton) also learns valuable truths about family life stemming from unavoidable but funny missteps.

She’s a car saleswoman who rarely sells anything, sometimes sneaking out office supplies for her kids’ projects, or using cars she test-drives with prospective buyers to pick up her youngest child from school. Frankie has a supportive husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), but their kids find it easier to bother her with their emergencies.

Living in a quiet Indiana town described as the “middle” area flown over by airplanes between two popular destinations, the Hecks are a regular family with typical problems. But no two Heck kids are alike: Axl (Charlie McDermott), 16, is a sarcastic, sluggish jock; Sue (Eden Sher), 13, is awkward and devoid of recognizable talents; Brick (Atticus Shaffer), 9, is a bookworm with weird habits.
Viewers with siblings can certainly identify with the situations. In Frankie’s ongoing quest to understand and teach her kids about survival in the real world, she ultimately discovers redeeming sides to them that she doesn’t often see. Whether it’s Axl’s sensitivity, Sue’s unrelenting spirit, or Brick’s confidence in public speaking, Frankie and Mike feel that their oft-diplomatic parenting approach must be doing something right.

Heaton is especially effective as this TV mom, easily more delightful than her previous “Everybody Loves Raymond” role and enjoying a precious rapport with the three scene-stealing young actors and Flynn.

Chris Kattan is considerably toned-down as her wimpy co-worker, but still contributes sufficiently. Guest star Brooke Shields is memorably outrageous as the trashy mother of four bullies in one episode.

“The Middle” airs Tuesdays, 8 p.m., on JackTV.

Heroic takeover

Cartoon Network’s new hero, Generator Rex, is taking kids on a fun journey at the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center at SM Mall of Asia until June 30.

Kids are invited to channel Rex’s extraordinary abilities and participate in the Rex Run for a chance to win a Cartoon Network prize pack.

To join, kids must follow the clues around the Center and complete the Rex Run activity sheet. Six of Rex’s Gear Ups from the animated television series, such as The Rex Ride, Punk Busters and the Boogie Pack, will be secretly placed in relevant displays within the Center.

“Generator Rex” is a story of good versus evil, reconciling teenage instincts with hero ambition set against a futuristic backdrop. The series is science-focused, set in the aftermath of a global accident, where microscopic machines known as nanites have infested every living thing.

Star pitcher returns

The HBO comedy series “Eastbound & Down” returns for a brand new seven-episode second season premiering on HBO Signature in Asia on April 5 at 10 p.m., with two episodes airing back-to-back.

Starring Danny McBride, it tells the story of Kenny Powers, ex-star pitcher whose self-destructive behavior knocked him out of Major League Baseball.

The series also stars Michael Peña, Ana de la Reguera, Marco Rodriguez, Efren Ramirez and Elizabeth De Razzo.
Harvard-bound

Broadcast journalist Karen Davila is on her way to the Harvard University in the United States to take a short course on “Global Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century” at the prestigious Harvard Kennedy School.

Karen is the only Filipina and one of only three delegates from the Philippines who were invited to the program, which is exclusively for the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders of 2010.

Karen will be taking a leave for three weeks from the ABS-CBN late night newscast “Bandila” and the early morning news program “Headstart” on ANC.

Moving on

Beauty queen-turned-actress Miriam Quiambao tells all – how she was able to forgive, forget and move on from her bitter past on “The 700 Club Asia” on April 1. She also talks about her role based on a true-to-life story for CBN Asia’s Holy Week presentation titled “Tanikala 3: Ang Lihim ng Ikatlong Aklat.”

The episode airs 11 p.m. on GMA News TV channel 11.

Romance, fantasy

Star Movies travels the depths of fantasy and reality in April.

Airing on April 3 is the epic adventure “Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time” with Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, who is falsely accused of killing his adoptive father. Gemma Artenton plays Princess Tamina.

Other featured flicks are:

“Remember Me” with Robert Pattinson on April 10; “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, with Christopher Plummer on April 17; and “The Men Who Stare at the Goats” with George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges and Kevin Spacey on April 24.

Housewives explode

The housewives of Wisteria Lane burst into a lot of emotions as they face new challenges in life, love, and friendship on the March 31 episode of “Desperate Housewives” at 10:30 p.m. on Studio 23.

Gabrielle (Eve Longoria) and Renee (Vanessa Williams) are about to have a smackdown after each of them reveals an intimate secret about the other to the wrong persons. Lynette (Felicity Huffman) is furious with her husband as he asks his mom to be the kids’ nanny without consulting with her. Susan’s (Teri Hatcher) sexy Internet star sensation days may already come to an end while Bree (Marcia Cross) finds herself exhausted with the sexual stamina of his new and younger lover Keith (Brian Austin Green).