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Day 41: Why I Love Patricia Heaton on “The Middle”
What do you do to relieve work-related stress when you live in France?
Review the subjunctive?
Re-read “Remembrance of Things Past,” in French of course?
Tackle Céline’s Journey to the End of Night, in French of course?
No!
I download episodes of my new favorite TV show, “The Middle,” starring Patricia Heaton from “Everybody Loves Raymond.”
I wouldn’t even know it existed except my Francophile friend Rick – Reeeeekkk – in San Francisco recommended it. I think it’s still the first season.
Anyway, Patricia Heaton rocks it hard as a frazzled mom of three living in flyover country.
And how thrilled was I when during a recent episode about her vowing to stop yelling at her kids, the guy who plays her husband, Neil Flynn, said scornfully:
“”I think it’s gonna be like when you quit sugar. One day later I find you on the bathroom floor sucking frosting out of the tube.”
Sure enough, we see a quick shot of Heaton surreptitiously sucking down some serious-looking frosting when no one is looking.
How well we understand – and sympathize – with our fictional friends.
Where’s MY frosting?
Ta,