Pilot (30 Sep. 2009)

Sue tries out for show choir with disastrous results. Frankie desperately tries to close a sale with disastrous results. Brick has trouble relating to his teacher with odd results.

Director:

Julie Anne Robinson

Writers:

Eileen Heisler (creator), DeAnn Heline (creator),

Stars:

Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Patricia Heaton	...	Frankie Heck
Neil Flynn	...	Mike Heck
Charlie McDermott	...	Axl Heck
Eden Sher	...	Sue Heck
Atticus Shaffer	...	Brick Heck
Chris Kattan	...	Bob
Amy Farrington	...	Gail
Patricia Belcher	...	Mrs. Rettig
Brian Doyle-Murray	...	Mr. Ehlert
Peter Breitmayer	...	Pete Miller
Mike Randleman	...	Flight Attendant
Ping Wu	...	Mr. Yamamoto
Jeanette Miller	...	Aunt Edie
Andy Kreiss	...	Choir Director

Storyline

Mike Heck remains imperturbable, whether another Orson, Indiana quarry employee is hurt in an explosion or his family goes trough even more drama. Firstborn son Axl is just in an arrogant self-contained phase, barely prepared to put on more then his boxers, let alone join. Lastborn Brick is weirder already and his class's favorite target, as his teacher warns the defensive parents. Sister Sue is just an utter screwup, her only success, admission to the school's lame show choir, turning into the worst, public humiliation. She's most like mother Frankie, who despite utterly neglecting the household is near dismissal for never selling a single car at the dealership, and nearly succeeding proves even worse.

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Plot Keywords:

show choir | public humiliation | bare chested male | underwear | theft | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 September 2009 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 25, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Blackie and Blondie Productions, Warner Bros. Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

23 min 28 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Dancing with the Stars (2005)

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Soundtracks

"Get The Party Started"
(uncredited)
Written by Linda Perry

User Reviews

Please Watch this Show!

Patricia Heaton shines as Frances "Frankie" Heck, a working mother of three and wife to Mike Heck who works at the Quarry in Orson, Indiana. They live in the Middle of America maybe not exactly but not in California or New York. Unlike Debra Barone, Heaton really comes alive as Frankie. She's no second bananas. This is her show and her co-star Neil Flynn who plays Mike, her husband, does a brilliant job as well. The cast also has Saturday Night Live's alum Chris Kattan as her co-worker and friend. Brian Doyle-Murray plays her terrible boss, Mr. Ehlert, who owns a car dealership where Kattan and Frankie work at. He makes them work Thanksgiving. The show doesn't have an audience or old style format but you can't help but laughing at the silliness. Her youngest son, Brick, is unusual. Her 13 year old daughter Sue is awkward, forgettable, and shy but with a heart of gold. Her teenage son, Axl, needs to wear a shirt. Watch this show please!