FRANKIE DISCOVERS THAT IF SHE GIVES NANCY DONAHUE MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS FROM AROUND THE HOUSE, HER CULINARY NEIGHBOR WILL RETURN THE FAVOR BY COOKING SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR HER, AND AXL GETS A JOB AS BRICK'S SCHOOL BUS DRIVER, ON ABC'S �THE MIDDLE'

"Please Don't Feed the Hecks" - After Frankie gives neighbor Nancy Donahue an old scarf that is just sitting around gathering dust, Nancy returns the favor by baking her a delicious apple pie. Believing she's stumbled upon a way to get free and tasty meals, Frankie makes it her mission to find miscellaneous items around the house to give to her in exchange for some culinary delights. Meanwhile, Sue and Lexie prepare to move back into their college apartment but find that it's been sublet to a man who refuses to leave; and Axl's new job as the school bus driver gives him a chance to see how Brick's high school sophomore year is treating him, and he discovers that Mike has refused to speak to Brick's class on Career Exploration Day, on "The Middle," THURSDAY, JAN. 04 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. ABC OAD: 10/10/2017)

"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 Daniela Bobadilla as Lexie, Jonathan Goldstein as Professor Mark Beckett, Jen Ray as Nancy Donahue, Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue, Shannon McClung as dad and Gina Hecht as Ms. Schaefer.

"Please Don't Feed the Hecks" was written by Ilana Wernick and directed by Phil Traill.

"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.