BRICK BECOMES A TYRANNICAL DIRECTOR FOR A SCHOOL PROJECT; SUE'S NEW ROOMMATE SPONTANEOUSLY BUYS NEW THINGS FOR THE DORM ROOM - AND CHARGES A PENNILESS SUE FOR HALF THE COSTS; AND AXL'S BOSS CONFIDES IN HIM THAT THE FRUIT PIE DIVISION MAY BE SHUT DOWN, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

Alan Ruck ("Ferris Bueller's Day Off") Guest Stars as Axl's Boss

"Film, Friends and Fruit Pies" - While Frankie and Mike try to figure out which household appliance a piece of plastic belongs to, Brick becomes a tyrannical director when he casts Cindy and Troy to re-enact scenes from "Knots Landing" for a school project; Sue's excitement over having new friend Lexie become her college dorm roommate quickly sours when she finds herself being charged for half of the new things that Lexie is spontaneously buying for the room; and Axl finds himself becoming stressed out when his boss (Alan Ruck) befriends him and tells him that the fruit pie division is on the verge of being shut down, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EST) on the ABC Television Network.

"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 Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Daniela Bobadilla as Lexie, Casey Burke as Cindy, Jovan Armand as Troy, Alan Ruck as Jack Kershaw and Jim Hanna as Mr. Reed.

"Film, Friends and Fruit Pies" was written by Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter and directed by Blake T. Evans.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate.