MIKE TRIES TO HELP BRICK MAKE FRIENDS, WHILE FRANKIE WANTS AXL'S COVETED FOOTBALL JERSEY, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"The Block Party" � Brick's teachers tell Frankie and Mike that Brick tested as "socially challenged," so Mike thinks basketball is the answer to help Brick interact with others. When that fails, Mike enters the neighborhood block-party lawnmower contest and discovers that Brick has a talent for souping up machines. Meanwhile Frankie joins the booster club to raise money for new football jerseys for Axl's team, but Axl refuses to give his old one to her, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

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

Guest starring are Krista Braun as Mrs. Tompkins, Jen Ray as Nancy, Thomas F. Duffy as Jack Meenahan, Lance Carter as coach, Rachel Marie as Sophie, Terrell Ransom Jr. as Spencer, Beau Wirick as Sean, Jason Edgar as Trevor, Jeffrey Wallace as six-year-old Axl, Antoine Perry as student and Harrison Forsyth as kid #1.

"The Block Party" was written by Alex Reid and directed by Ken Whittingham.

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

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