Will The Middle have 24 episodes this season?
Considering the premiere of season 8 won't start until October 11th (which is usually the time period for episode 3 or 4), I wonder if they'll be following their typical pattern of breaking off for reruns in the winter, etc. If so, will their season end later, with 24 episodes (the same amount every year), or will three or four episodes be shaved off the season total?
And given all this, I have the very sneaking suspicion that they know this will be the last season of The Middle. They'll probably end with a double-episode (Axl's graduation and God knows what else), so that'll make up for one of the episodes missing at the beginning. I honestly can't see this show going another season after this one. It's memorable for Brick starting high school and Axl graduating and would be a perfect way to end the entire thing before it implodes. Bad enough the ratings are going to take a very serious hit against its high-powered competition!