Stuck in the Middle (TV Series 2016–2018) Poster

(2016–2018)

User Reviews

Review this title
39 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
Different from other Disney shows
chloebetts3 August 2021
This show does not get enough recognition. I personally loved the characters and everything this show had to offer. I really like the idea of a big family dynamic and I think overall it was just wholesome.
4 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Excellent, refreshing show.
hearttaylorl11 March 2016
Right off the bat, you can tell this show is going to be vastly different from the other formulaic shows on Disney. What drew me to this show was the visual appeal in the promos and boy, did it exceed my expectations. After watching the pilot and second episode, it's hard to not appreciate the camera work and sets of this show. Right down to the disarray of clothes, toys, and other trinkets around the house, Stuck in the Middle delineates a very realistic home-style of a huge family. Also, the single-camera format just adds to the authenticity of the entire show instead of a multi-cam which usually makes the atmosphere too shiny and bright. It's definitely reminiscent of the beloved,single-cam sitcoms "Lizzie Mcguire" and "Even Stevens". What's so captivating about this show is the outstanding chemistry within the cast. The sibling bong between Harley and Ethan in the pilot which carries on into the second episode feels real and personally, makes miss all the sibling talks my brother and I use to have at that age. The antics between the twins brothers Lewie and Beast is fun to watch and could have easily been a nuisance but the kids that play them are too adorable and effortlessly portray the "dynamic duo" partnership all too well. The parents of this show are also different from most Disney parents in the fact that they don't let the kids run the show. They actually are involved despite the stress and you can tell they genuinely love their kids as seen in the pilot with the father when he says,"There's only one time when I'm not happy to have seven kids...and that's when I let one of them down." Overall, the atmosphere of this show is something that Disney has been missing for LONG time and I'm glad they've found it again. This show has th potential to be something VERY worthwhile. Watch out Girl Meets World.
18 out of 27 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
Had a good potential but choppy and mediocre acting makes it lame
divyanka14 February 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Too childish, like most sitcoms on Disney Channel. Actors are trying to do a good job, but aren't, for the most part. They are mediocre. The show has good potential, but exercises it in a very juvenile way. Episodes don't keep you fully attended, because they're just so childish and simplistic. It is difficult to explain, as one would have to watch a much better sitcom, like some of the ones that appear on YTV. There is something about the acting, the way the scenes run, connect, etc., that makes this show a little dull and not that good. Makes it boring. It's the way scenes cut too fast and randomly skip to another random scene, instead of a smoother flow that can hold people's attention and make them feel grounded in the plot. A serious issue with most of the shows on Disney, which seem to lack proper editing and coordination, even though the actors are of a similar age to the ones in YTV sitcoms. It is as if this channel produces shows that are purposely stupid.

*5/10*
8 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Ridiculous
brysekc-5950224 June 2021
Absurd. Very unrealistic, as a second oldest of six children, I can say Loud House is worlds more realistic. They're too rich, too selfish, too smart, too creative, too "chaotic", too elaborate.
4 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
6/10
Malcolm plus 3
bkoganbing16 March 2016
Stuck In The Middle is an idea appropriated from another series past on another network. Walt Disney Studios has never been shy at using good ideas wherever they come from. It worked fine for Frankie Muniz in the title role of Malcolm In the Middle. Of course that series had a lot more adult content and a lot more bite to it than Stuck In The Middle which given the constraints the Magic Kingdom imposes on itself will stay strictly G rated.

Muniz was the third of four brothers and the perspective of Malcolm was through his eyes. Young Ronny Ortega is the 4th child of seven in the Diaz family. One can really get lost in that sea of juveniles. Stuck In The Middle is seen through her perspective. She looks like a sweet child and definitely marked for Disney Icondom.

Definitely an easy show to take for family viewing.
4 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
Go Harley
qiexia27 March 2016
After the fourth episode i'm finally all in on this show. Harley's brain blazes white-hot energy throughout in a wide variety of ways, and it's such an inspiration. It's this above all that the writers need to sustain throughout the life of the series. The fact that she's a conniving liar no longer bothers me but adds to the fun, especially since she frequently loses at the end. She's just 13 after all, and wouldn't have any lessons to learn if she started out as an angel.

Jenna Ortega isn't perfect, but she more than carries the show and pours her heart into every moment. Cerina Vincent is good too in what needs to remain the second most important role.

The family isn't strictly poor, but it is limited in a way that rarely gets on TV. On most other shows, even characters who supposedly aren't rich seem to have everything they want all the time. These characters don't, and, importantly, it's depicted as _normal_ and goes by as a part of life, without undue angst. Many of the problems that are supposedly the result of being in a big family are also experienced by smaller families with less money.

The show tries hard at realism sometimes and lapses inexplicably at other times, which is fine since being too real would shut out the humor. And it's getting funnier by the episode, and of course the lack of a laugh track is so refreshing. The parts where Harley breaks the fourth wall seem too frequent and often repeat what's already known, but maybe younger viewers need the extra exposition.

Too often intelligence is shown as being done the "right" way by the "right" people, and too many "be different" messages are really "be different in the same way as everyone else". The character of Harley is legitimately breaking it all down.
11 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
It's a regular show.
reviewerhere18 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This show...I just don't know how to feel about it. It shows great morals about family and sibling relationships. It's also funny and pretty entertaining if you were to watch it by yourself. There are heartfelt moments, like the Christmas episode in season 3 and the ending of season 2 where Harley got an award for everything she does. But...It also has downsides. Many of the episodes repeat the same plot line, the siblings blame everything on Harley, she blames it on herself, the parents don't do anything and everything works out at the end. Harley always tries to solve problems for the rest of her family, and they always blame it on her. Her personality, I like it, it's not unique though. Rachel - She is rude, selfish, and only cares about her looks and reputation. She's basically the mean girl in this entire show, and I thought it was Bethany. Georgie - She's nice, but her character is just a girl that's bad at athletics. It's not special. Ethan - He's there because Harley needed someone to talk to for "advice". The twins are just useless, they do weird things that are suppose to make the show more interesting but they only add heads to make the family seem large. Daphne is literally the antagonist in this show, she's bratty, rude, and doesn't have a heart. She's honestly the type of sibling I would sell on ebay if it were possible. Bethany just needs to lay low. Ellie is basically the best person in this show in my opinion, she's nice and a good kid that got no childhood. Luckily, Harley was there to give her some hope. That girl didn't even make it through season 2. The parents don't take responsibility as much as they should, and hey, look where they ended up. Other than that, the show was pretty good. I love seeing family together and resolving problems. Sometimes I forget they are siblings because of how bad they annoy each other. The show went downhill after season 2, the episodes weren't that good. It's a show, that's all it is. There's nothing more about it.
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Repetitiveness has to stop!
winnerwazzup16 June 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Oh my god! So and so happened and now we are going to die!" That is basically all this show is. The actors are appalling, and the storyline doesn't lead to anything big, like Gravity Falls. In some Disney shows that don't lead to something big that are still very good, like Phineas and Ferb, but this is terrible. I cannot believe they haven't canceled and stopped airing this show. This show always is annoying, and sometimes will present fake facts, such as assuming all Hispanics like spicy food, when Laurel Hernandez comes on, and they make a very spicy food. One of my friends is Hispanic, and hates spicy foods. I don't see why it has a lower rating.
6 out of 10 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Great show! Whole family loves it..
jeff-malmquist15 October 2019
Imagine a Disney show where it's a normal family (albeit large) where kids fight, parents discipline their kids, family goes to church, and kids are super respeto adults.

Finally a show that doesn't involve super powers, seemingly infinite financial resources, kids running the show with inept parents...

And I don't get the negative reviews either. By far the most tolerable show my kid has ever watched.
5 out of 6 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
It's an okay show
tnnydrqv23 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I like the show it's just the characters are rarely all together. I mean there either at camp or a at a competition or away it just like why?

And how does a 13 year old make a snow machine? A kid can't be that smart. You can't make a cheese squirting doll.

And don't get me started on the family. Firstly Rachel is so mean. She always comments on there outfit. And Rachel's just overall an selfish judgement full girl.

Secondly Daphne is THE worst she I can't even talk about her. She is so selfish she makes everyone do whatever she want. Just like how on episode 15 she kept on blaming Harley and getting away with it.

I personally think this is a confusing funny show.
0 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Family Comes First....If I Am First.
filmbuff-0570630 November 2020
Stuck In The Middle used to be my favorite TV show, but it has come to a point where I just can't like it anymore. There are various reasons for this.

The show focuses on Harley Diaz, the 4th of 7 kids in a Latino family. She's an inventor and she always helps her family get through tough situations. Sounds sweet, right?

Well, yes, it is. But there are many elements the show has that, as a maturing adult, I can't stand for.

The first example is with Harley herself. In the opener episode, she says that she feels left out and overlooked since she is the middle kid. This is shown when she wants to give a speech at the park and her siblings have other events that same day.

By the end of the episode, she realizes that she is what brings the family together, and even though she misses her speech, she appreciates her family, and they eat donuts on a table that she invents.

Again, that's sweet. "I'm the middle child, but that brings us together." However, before you go "aww", note something else.

In an episode called "Stuck In The Diaz Awards", the family has an Oscar-type event awarding the best moments of the past year together. After the first round, Harley notices that she hasn't won any awards. She speaks to the camera often in the episodes, so she tells us that it's bothering her that she hasn't won an award.

Understandable, however she then tells us "But I don't want to be someone who's all 'Waaah! I don't win any awards! People want to vote for a winner, not a whiner." However, she continues to whine and pouts to us when her twin brothers win instead. All is well, though, because she ends up getting a bonus award that's the biggest award of all.

Earlier, in a Christmas special, she tells a mechanic that she feels sometimes like she is left out, and that made me think- Yeah, you DO feel that way, and then you realize how much your family loves you and you feel silly for feeling that way!

Finally, in the last episode, she has a big 15th birthday party and she notes that she finally realizes that her family loves her and that she is what puts the family together. Wait, that sounds familiar. Oh, yeah, she "learned" that in the beginning! Or not, apparently.

Her siblings aren't much better, apart from Georgie and Ethan. Harley's oldest sibling Rachel is very self absorbed and she literally only cares about other people when she wants to go out of the country for college. She insults her sibling's fashion and has a better-than-thou attitude about style, even to her mother, who only gives her nasty looks instead of reprimanding her.

Harley also has a little sister named Daphne, who suckers her siblings into doing whatever she wants. For example, in episode 2, everyone forgets Harley's birthday (and, by the way, she keeps it a secret to try to get a better car seat), and Daphne agrees to keep it a secret if Harley gives her the birthday money Grandma sent her in the mail.

Speaking of Georgie, there is an episode after the one where Rachel goes to college, and everyone expects Georgie to take charge the way Racheal did. Harley even trains her to do and say what Racheal would do. For example, how would Rachel react to Mom making tuna casserole for the 4th night in a row? (On another note, why do so many Disney shows make fun of Moms who are bad cooks?)

The kids also lie to their parents a lot and they don't get in trouble for it. In one episode, they let an exchange student sleep on their couch and hide it from them so they can buy a tablet. In another, they let a fisherman rent their house out for money for a trip to Hawaii, and they keep that from her. (Plus the Dad is in on that scheme!)

In an episode called "Stuck In A Waterpark", a similar thing occurs where the kids spend too much money and they have to hide that from the parents by entering a contest. I watched the premiere of that with a friend and he told me that he hated that aspect. Now I agree with him.

I could keep going, but you get the idea. To be honest, I regret watching this for 3 years and having an obsession with it. I really don't think kids should see a show that encourages selfishness, self-pity, and disrespect to family in such a way.

My favorite show now is Sydney To The Max, and while Sydney disobeys her father for the first 3 episodes, she learns her lesson and her character (personality) improves. I can't say that for Harley and her siblings. If you want to see a great Disney show, see STTM instead.

I have rated the show a 1/10. That is not necessarily to cover the whole series, but rather a way to show my discouragement in seeing this. If you want to raise respectful, selfless kids, don't show them this Disney show.

I said that the show is sweet. But so is candy. Would you feed your kid candy repeatedly for 22 minutes numerous times? Well, there you go.

Reverse Recommendations (edited): Better Disney shows to kids would be the aforementioned Sydney To The Max, as well as Bunk'd, Gabby Duran and the Unsittables, Ultra Violet and Black Scorpion, and The Villains of Valley View.
8 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Can't believe the bad reviews
cheevers-6381214 July 2018
I have an adult special needs child who watches Disney 90% of the time. This is a great show, there is an ongoing theme of family togetherness. Way better than Gravity Falls and the new one Big City Greens ....(what the hell is that anyway?) I don't know the ages of the reviewers but some of you are way over the top. Bad actors... come on... we're not expecting the Academy Awards here,ease up people.
8 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
More of the same crap....
gabriellah-2400121 July 2016
Once again this show doesn't disappoint....when it comes to crappy content. Did you think this would be a positive review? Sorry but I can't give credit where it isn't due. This show was awful when it debuted and it's awful now. The latest episodes feature more of the same irresponsible, oftentimes offensive garbage it's been peddling since Ep. 1. they actually have an episode where the parents leave the children all alone in the house and have cameras around the house so they can 'monitor' them. Is that what passes for parenting now? Its bad enough that they're bad actors they are even worse parents! The kids are even worse. They are rude, have no respect for each other or their parents. The oldest boy,Ethan, is self centered and snobby which I don't get cause he can't act. The only thing he should do is stand there and be quiet, or better yet they could take him off the cast and just hang up a picture of him on the set instead. Also can we stop with the racist crap? The stereotypes and misrepresentation on the Hispanic culture is so appalling. It's surprising that it allowed on the air.
16 out of 37 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
8/10
girl meets world take notes
crazyforyou1916 March 2016
This show is 1000% more realistic than gmw. Both shows have their own formula but this one is better. The kids actually have a LIFE. On gmw they're always crying, whining, the kids are the most depressing group on kids television. Topanga is barely involved in Riley's life and Cory over does his involvement. Stuck in the middle creates a good balance, the parents are involved but the kids have a LIFE. they're not always crying about basic nonproblems also. I know what you're saying, you can't compare shows, however you actually can because they're both supposed to be family shows. SITM shows the realness of a family, a family's chemistry, and more importantly the lead girl isn't being outshined by her castmates whereas in gmw Riley sometimes is barely a lead.

I don't get the rating on here, a 5.1??? Who the freak is voting? Gmw got a 7.1 because if it's connection to bmw but with its latest downgrade in quality episodes it should be lower, heck it would be if it weren't for bmw. unfair, the Diaz family are heck of a family
13 out of 22 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Terrible Malcolm in the Middle Rip-off
PopcornSugar337 March 2017
Another generic and lame Disney Channel sitcom. God, this show is so boring and dull. Isn't this supposed to be a sitcom? Where's the comedy and jokes? This show isn't funny at all. Seriously, at the end of the Pilot episode the family eats donuts of a garbage can at the park???? That's disgusting....who wrote this crap?

Everybody in the Diaz family is either boring or an unlikable jerk. The parents - Dull and no personality Rachel - Stereotypical spoiled prissy girly girl teenage daughter. She's selfish and only cares about her looks and how she dresses. She also rude, snotty and very unlikable. Hate her! Georgie is the athletic sporty sister. Ethan has.... no distinct traits. Twin Brothers Beast and Lewie - No personalities or any type of characterization. They serve no purpose. They just do random weird stuff. There just...there. And who the hell names their kid Beast? Daphne - Yuck! Are we supposed to find her cute. She's rude, spoiled, gross, and unappealing. I hate her wardrobe mix matched clothes, frizzy messy uncombed hair, lipstick smeared all over her mouth. The child actress playing Daphne has a disgusting raspy voice and giant gap in her teeth. She looks like a ugly gremlin.

And we have Harley our main character. She's bland and uninteresting. She's supposed to be an inventor but where does she get the money for all these inventions. Harley talking to the camera is unnecessary.

This show is basically a Malcolm in the Middle rip-off except with a girl as the lead plus 2 extra sibling thrown in the mix. Just watch the Loud House on Nickelodeon or reruns of Malcolm in the Middle. Much more entertaining, better written and funnier this bland and stupid piece of crap show.
15 out of 31 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
5/10
I Really Wanted to Like This Show, but....
andrewnflynn12 March 2017
I really wanted to like this show, after all it has a catchy theme song and diversified cast of child actors, but I couldn't. There are so many plot holes, just about every episode has a major one going against the main plot. The plot holes are so distracting they take away from the rhythm of the episode and thus this viewer's ability to enjoy it.
4 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
To the person comparing this to GMW
robertmilesfan16 June 2016
I want to say that I agree with you 100% that GMW needs to take notes. SitM shows a realistic household with real kids. Kids that are messy, kids that get into trouble, a household where not every kid is a talented genius. GMW teaches lessons about life. Does it really? Have you watch GMW fanboys? It teaches you that life is depressing in every single way. No matter what the challenge it will involve some sort of tear shedding or hardship. That is not life. Not everything that happens in life is something that is so challenging that you question your existence. That is what makes SitM so good. It shows that life is fun for children in a large household. It shows realistic parents that don't speak in parables all the time but speak normally. Here we are presented with a single camera show that may be a tad strange to those use to the current Disney format without a laugh track (Kirby Bucketts is successful for this reason). Just sit back and enjoy the ride people. Not every household is perfect.
6 out of 12 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
Another Terrible Show by Disney!
karamaldahleh16 May 2017
I am not a particular fan when it comes to shows on Disney channel but I will be honest when they have a T.V. series they air that is good. It comes to show that Disney channel has thrown another sloppy show at us with little care as usual. The show's 'comedy' are reused jokes from past series, immature jokes made by 3 year olds, or good jokes that are copied from another show. If Disney wants to continue making these T.V. series, they better start shaping up before they lose viewers because Disney's background on their T.V. shows is terrible. I took the time to watch some of these episodes to realize that it is the worst one to come so far, a waste of time from my perspective.
8 out of 20 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
funny family show
rileybrez29 February 2016
finally a show with a big family, it is totally realatable and one of the best parts it that Harley breaks the barrier and talks directly to the people watching ,it makes you feel more involved with the show.it had many funny points and believable scenes with very little misses. i was very surprised by the show (in the best way) the feeling of the show gives is like the old Disney with Hannah and raven and the tipton hotel. great casting all 7 kids look like they could be siblings they all are amazing actors. two thumbs up , it was super sweet and not fake it definitely is a hit and a show for the whole family, it really is a great new show from a great company cant wait to see more episode when they air in march 👍👍💕
6 out of 13 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
1/10
It wouldn't even be that bad if it wasn't so bland.
doubleg-2912321 June 2016
My younger brother is addicted to this show and the reason why will forever remain a mystery. Whoever is writing this show clearly has no idea how children act. It has some of the laziest, clichéd and unfunny writing I have ever seen. I would go into more detail, but there is literally nothing to talk about. It is that bland.

There is nothing about this show that is even remotely memorable or appealing, and I have no idea why it is even on the air. It isn't necessary or wanted, and from the looks of it, a lot of other reviewers on this site feel the same way I do. Don't waste your time with it, even Disney Channel has so much more to offer.
7 out of 18 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
9/10
75% good show
isaiahidowu7 March 2019
This is a excellent show. I am really sad that it ended. I think it's for kids 7 and up!!
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Not a ripoff of the loud house
jmw-7946620 March 2018
Not a ripoff of the loud house. The loud house aired may 2nd 2016 and stuck in the middle aired February 14th 2016
4 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
2/10
Rip-Off!
marlisafick3 August 2017
This is a basic rip-off of "The Loud House" on Nickelodeon. Both shows have similar plots and characters, and, guess what? The "Loud House" episodes air first. Huh? I wonder why? RIP-OFF! If you like live-action more, I guess you can watch this, though. However, if you don't, just watch "The Loud House."
6 out of 15 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
something about it
kcangel19 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There is something about this show that I really like. It seems like Disney channel is creating even better shows like the old Lizzie McGuire or Phil of the Future. It just reminds me of shows like that and the main girl is adorable. She also looked familiar and then I realized she was from musically and Jane the virgin.

The style of the show and the way it's filmed showing the perspective of the girl is really interesting take. What drew me to the episode I watched was he way the episode was executed. The young girl is the middle child and shows her perspective of everything going on around her. She goes to her first dance(with a twist), deals with her sisters loser boyfriend, helps her dad with her business, etc. It's creates a realistic image of a family and a young girl understanding herself. There are many times she breaks the third wall and starts talking to the audience. Breaking the third wall is an interesting image that Disney has never shown and I have to agree I really like there is no laugh track. Sometimes a laugh track can distract from the story itself or add it when nothing funny had happened. However, this show can be funny(at times) and can be Relateable. The young girl is still learning about lessons and shows it within this fun loving not comedy! As I see from the summary, it shows her going through hardships of being a middle child and learning her place in the world around her. I've only watched one episode, but I'm def hooked on this show and just reminds me of old 90's shows that I grew up and loved. Jenna Ortega is the perfect role to play the middle child and the theme song is really good. The song is catchy and so the way it's filmed. Def will check it out and watch more episodes because it's an interesting kind of show I hadn't really seen on Disney yet. I'm hoping Disney will bring back the 90's similar shows with good stories and good plots! I have now watched most of every episode and I'm in love with this adorable show. The main girl is so cute and when she breaks the wall is interesting. We get to see it from her perspective ya know and the characters and stories are sweet at the end. Always comes down to family and learning lessons in life. I'm addicted!!
3 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
4/10
Attempt to cash in on..........
rob_dierenvriend4 February 2017
The Loud House, that's what this is obviously trying to be. There are almost no ideas left for TV shows, i know, but at least try or something. And if you like this show, that's fine, but this is just my opinion. First off: character trying to "survive" the hustle of a big family of 7. And thank god that it isn't a family of 11 kids actually so i don't constantly need to feel bad for mothers who don't know how to use condoms. But yeah, all i can see is The Loud House here. They even have things scattered around the gutter on the roof like in The Loud House. And I know that Disney Channel is based around taking other ideas, but saying all this negative stuff would be a bit to sour and mean spirited, so i'll say that they at least try. But they turned it into another generic sitcom. Yeah, Disney Channel is just the biggest producer of generic sitcoms. Unlike anything else like The Middle or The Flintstones, these sitcoms are just bland like a piece of raw toast (bread i know). And finally the finishing touch: I just really left this show with a bad taste in my mouth to be honest, but please don't get too angry.
6 out of 16 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
An error has occured. Please try again.

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed