SEASON PREMIERE

A SHORT DRIVE TURNS INTO AN ETERNITY AS THE HECKS TRY TO MOVE AXL INTO HIS COLLEGE DORM, ON THE SEASON 5 PREMIERE OF ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

Two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. Having been fired as the least successful sales woman at the town's only surviving car dealership, Frankie re-evaluated her career path and is now working as a dental assistant. Her unflappable husband, Mike, is manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average - yes, most definitely average - family.

In the fifth season premiere episode, "The Drop Off," airing WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network, against Axl's wishes, Frankie insists on having the entire Heck family along for the ride as they drive to his college to move him into his dorm. But the short drive turns into an eternity when Sue freaks out after discovering that Frankie forgot to fax in her essay to be a candidate for Junior Peer Leadership Advisor, and Brick proves once again that he can't be trusted when he keeps losing his new cell phone.

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are Rebecca Metz as saleslady, Michael Busch as Kopy Shop worker, Tommy Bechtold as Kenny, George Pond as student no. 1 and John Mark Loudermilk as student no. 2.

"The Drop Off" was written by DeAnn Heline & Eileen Heisler and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com/TheMiddle